Rifle Gap State Park

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At an elevation of 6,000 feet, Rifle Gap State Park has something to offer every outdoor enthusiast. The clean, clear waters of this 350-acre reservoir afford some of the best scuba diving, boating, swimming, water-skiing and windsurfing in Colorado. Camping, hiking and picnicking opportunities at this 1,305-acre park also await the Rifle Gap State Park visitor.  This mountain park offers spectacular fall scenery with vibrant aspens dotting the landscape!

The Setting
Rifle Gap lies on the edge of the White River Plateau, just north of the Grand Hogback. The Grand Hogback monocline consists of sandstone, shale and coal beds that are approximately 4,500 feet thick. From the reservoir, views to the south offer unparalleled exposures of the coal-bearing Mesa Verde group in the hogback. Most of the park is comprised of exposed Mancos Shale, and as a result, park soils are rich in salts. Fossils of leaves are abundant, and some fish and shellfish fossils exist as well.

The Facility
The popular campsites at Rifle Gap are spread out along the northern shore of the reservoir. This area is well liked for its wide-open sites and spectacular mountain vistas.

Campsites can accommodate tents, small trailers and pickup campers.  Some pull-through campsites for larger units are also available.  Campgrounds are open year round and in the early season are available on a first come, first serve basis.

Picnickers can enjoy a spacious setting for their outdoor meals. Rifle Gap offers multiple sites, beautiful views and no crowds. Sites are available on first come, first served basis.

The crystal clear water of Rifle Gap Reservoir is a haven for water enthusiasts. The long, narrow reservoir is inviting to water-skiers, jet-skiers, boaters and scuba divers. Rifle Gap often has great conditions for sailing and windsurfing. The beach on the west side of the reservoir is popular for its swimming, because the water is warmer and shallower.

Many anglers are attracted to the excellent warm-water fishing opportunities at Rifle Gap, which include walleye and largemouth and smallmouth bass. The reservoir is also stocked with cold-water rainbow and German brown trout.

Use Rifle Gap as a base camp for day trips to nearby Rifle Falls and Harvey Gap State Parks. Neighbor park Rifle Falls is the closest you'll get to the tropics in Colorado. The falls is a lush area of trees and greenery kept moist by the spray of the cascading triple waterfall. The park's lush vegetation and waterfalls have attracted photographers and movie crews from around the country who take advantage of the area's unique scenery. Mysterious limestone caves beneath the falls entice spelunkers and other curious visitors to explore their dark depths

Harvey Gap State Park is located approximately six miles north of Silt, Colorado and six miles east of Rifle Gap State Park. The reservoir is 190 surface acres when full and is a favorite spot with anglers. A variety of cold and warm water fish including rainbow trout, crappie, perch, catfish, bass and pike live in the lake. Harvey Gap also offers shaded picnic tables by the water, boating with small boats and a swim beach.
The lake sits at an elevation of 6,500 feet in an area of cedar and sagebrush, but the lakeshore has many shady cottonwood trees. Visitors may see a variety of wildlife, including migrating waterfowl.

A new Visitor Center and Retail Store located at Rifle Gap also serves Rifle Falls and Harvey Gap State Parks.

Directions

Take I-70 to the Rifle exit, and then go north on CO Highway 13 for three miles. Turn right onto Colorado 325 and drive 6 miles. Rife Gap State Park is in close proximity to  both Rifle Falls and Harvey Gap State Parks and is only 40 miles to Glenwood’s famous hotsprings and is close to many ski areas

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