Rifle GAP DAM Rifle Gap Dam is about 5 1/2 miles north of Rifle, at a point where Rifle Creek cuts through the Grand Hogback. The dam was built between 1964 and 1967 by the United States Bureau of Reclamation for irrigation water storage. The dam is operated by the Silt Water Conservancy District and creates Rifle Gap Reservoir. The…
Cow Creek road Cow Creek Road offers an easier, albeit Longer alternate ROute to the JQS Trail for accessing the top of the Roan Plateau. This Cow Creek Road can be accessed by taking Highway 13 North out of Rifle for 18 miles, then taking the Piceance Creek Road (County Road 5) West toward Rangely for 4.5 miles. The Cow Creek…
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,…
Buford Road Parking Area and Trailhead the West Elk Trailhead, is a popular jumping off point for summer and winter outdoor activities in the Flat Tops From the parking area you can access miles of multi-use trails and roads, including the Cherry Creek Trail and Mansfield Ditch for mountain biking and hiking and a maintained cross-country ski area in the…
SNOWMOBILING Rifle is centrally located to world-class snowmobiling areas frequented by locals and visitors alike. Both the Grand Mesa and Flat Tops Wilderness areas offer access to Colorado’s finest backcountry trails to be explored by snowmachine. Grand Mesa Flat Tops Vail
ICE FISHING Rifle Gap Ice Fishing: The clean, clear waters of Rifle Gap State Park’s 350-acre reservoir provide some of the best fishing in the area. The long, narrow reservoir is home to a wide variety of warm and cold-water fish species and is generally open to ice fishing from December through March (temperatures permitting.) You may check on ice…
SnOWSHOEING Snowshoeing is a great way to explore the winter landscape surrounding Rifle. The Flat Tops Wilderness area, Grand Mesa, and surrounding White River National River Forest host to a plethora of snowshoe options. Grand Mesa Glenwood Springs West Elk Trails
Cross Country Skiing The Rifle Area is conveniently located within short driving distance from world-class cross country and backcountry skiing. Nordic skiers can find groomed trails nearby at the West Elk Trailhead up Buford Rd, a top of the Grand Mesa, Sunlight Mountain Resort, and near the Aspen ski areas. Backcountry skiers have a plethora of options nearby to get out…
WORLD CLASS SKIING The City of Rifle is conviently located just a short drive from several ski resorts ranging from world class skiing to local favorites: Sunlight Powderhorn Snowmass Buttermilk Aspen Highlands Aspen Mountain Beaver Creek Vail Copper Mountain Breckenridge Keystone A-Basin Ski Cooper
HIKING Rifle offers some of the most unique and picturesque hiking opportunities in the state of Colorado. Some of the most popular trails are Rifle Falls, Rifle Arch, and RIfle Riparian Zone. Additional hiking trails are Three Forks Trail, Beaver Creek Trail, and Hubbard Mesa Trails. Rifle Riparian Zone Trails Ther Rifle Riparian Zone is one of the most unique…