Three Forks Trail The Three Forks Trail is a great hike or mountain bike ride close to Rifle Mountain Park. The trail follows a fork of Rifle Creek into aspen and evergreen forests for several miles. It eventually meets up with other trails and jeep roads that lead further into the Flat Tops. To get to the trailhead from Rifle,…
North Slopes of Hogback Trail Length: 5 miles out-and-back Elevation Gain: 1700 feet (starts at 6,100 feet and ends at 7,800 feet) This hike is perhaps the least known yet most pristine example of the classic Rifle landscape of sagebrush and cactus hills, dry washes, mature pinyons and juniper forests, and the craggy Grand Hogback. A crossing of West Rifle…
Morrow Draw Trail The Morrow Draw Trail is .75 mile gravel trail that winds through the Morrow Draw Open Space. Patches of woods, meadows, and flowing streams are frequented by a variety of wildlife. It’s a natural oasis in the middle of town. Visitors can enjoy views of the magnificent Roan Plateau from the two sitting areas along the trail.…
The Mamm Peaks The Mamm Peaks are located approximately 8 miles south of Rifle in the White River National Forest. They can be accessed from a number of different points. From the west, visitors can access the Mamm Peak roadless area and the Battlement Reservoirs via Interstate 70 at Parachute. Cross the Colorado River on Garfield County Road (CR) 300…
Lions Pond and Trails Lions Pond sits beneath the majestic Roan Plateau and adjacent to the Colorado River. Lions Pond is located right off of I-70 at Exit 90 in Rifle. Originally, the pond was a gravel pit that was created in the early 70’s when the interstate was being built. Visitors are encouraged to spend the day fishing for…
Hadley Gulch Trail The Hadley Gulch trail is a nice hiking trail leading into the Flat Tops area. It is 5.0 miles long. It begins at Forest Road 603 and ends at Forest Road 653. The trail is open for the following uses: Hiking and Horseback Riding. From Rifle, go east to New Castle (15 miles) exit 105. Turn left…
Estes Gulch Trail Length: 1.25 miles out-and-back Elevation Gain: minimal The Estes Gulch Trail is a short hike into a Hogback canyon with cool rock formations and fantastic mining ruins. We won’t post pictures here to leave the surprise for your trip. Biking or hiking the dirt road from the highway turnoff can make this a longer excursion if so…
Coyote and Squirrel TRAILS In Rifle Falls State Park, the Coyote Trail winds past limestone caves, through a lush riparian and forested area, then climbs to a birds-eye view of Rifle Falls. Kids of all ages will love exploring the caves. Bring a flashlight for the largest one. Squirrel Trail crosses East Rifle Creek and winds through Gambel oak forest…
Cliff Lakes Trail This trail provides access to THE Cliff Lakes and South Fork Campground Cliff Lakes Trailhead is located off Forest Road 601. Four-wheel drive vehicles are highly recommended. From Rifle, head east on I-70 for 15 miles. At the New Castle exit (105), turn left at the ramp and follow the signs into New Castle. At 7th Street…
Bobcat TrAIL The trail hikes along East Rifle Creek through boxelder and cottonwood forests, and into open grassy meadows. This is a newly completed trail that links Rifle Falls State Park and Rifle Falls State Fish Hatchery. It provides access to secluded fishing spots on the creek bank, as well as passing several well stocked trout ponds managed by the fish…