Escape to the quiet, clear waters of Rifle Gap State Park.
The Setting
Rifle Gap State Park is located along the I-70 corridor, about 40 miles west of Glenwood Springs, Colo. The heart of Rifle Gap State Park is the 350-acre reservoir that offers outdoor enthusiasts some of the best boating, fishing and swimming conditions in the state.
The reservoir in Rifle Gap State Park is home to rainbow and German brown trout, walleye, pike, yellow perch, and smallmouth and largemouth bass, making it a perfect place for anglers to get their catch. People who enjoy other outdoor activities are drawn to the reservoir for its unique long and narrow shape, which is especially inviting to water skiers, jet skiers and power boaters. In addition, the park has great conditions for sailing, windsurfing and swimming. The swim beach is the only area in the lake where swimming is permitted, so be sure to swim within the buoys that mark the designated swimming area.
While the reservoir’s waters are a main attraction at Rifle Gap State Park, there are many other features that visitors can enjoy, including wildlife viewing and hiking and OHV trails located on adjacent BLM land.
The Facility
Rifle Gap State Park has 89 campsites spread out along the northern shore of the reservoir. The campsites are all wide-open, offering breathtaking views of the reservoir and scenic mountain vistas.
Cottonwood and Lakeview camping loops both accommodate tents, small trailers and larger motor homes. Cottonwood camping loop has eight campsites and a group pavilion, while Lakeview camping loop has 46 campsites, three of which are fully accessible. All campsites include electric hookups and water facilities, and both campgrounds have access to flush restrooms and coin operated showers. Lakeview camping loop is located atop the hill and features great panoramic views of the reservoir and nearby mountains while Cottonwood camping loop is located on the edge of the water, offering boaters an option to beach their boats near their campsite.
Cedar and Pinion camping loops both sit up on a hill and overlook the water. Cedar camping loop is larger, with 15 campsites that accommodate tents, small trailers and larger motor homes with pull-through and back-in sites. Like Cottonwood campground, Cedar campground has water and electric hookups at each campsite and is located along the edge of the water so boaters can beach their boats near their campsite. Pinion camping loops offers fewer amenities than Cedar camping loop, with five basic campsites nestled within pinion and juniper trees. Picnic tables and fire pits are available at the Pinion campground and both the Cedar and Pinion campgrounds have access to vault toilets.
Rifle Gap State Park also includes the Sage camping loop which is located adjacent to Division of Wildlife and Bureau of Land Management property. Because of this location, campers at the Sage campground have easy access to hiking and OHV trails. Amenities at the 13 campsites in the Sage camping loop include covered picnic tables, fire pits and vault toilets.
All campers at Rifle Gap State Park have access to a holding tank dump station, located across from the Cottonwood Campground. Campsites at all five campgrounds are available year-round, but camping is a popular activity at Rifle Gap and campsites fill up quickly. Plan ahead and reserve your campsite soon! Reservations are accepted from May 1 through October 31.
Other Information
• Be sure to stop by the visitor center, located at the east entrance of the park, which provides traveler information as well as maps and other resources.
• Most of the park is comprised of exposed Mancos Shale. As a result, soils are rich in minerals and salts.
• Check out the abundance of fossils in the park, including those from leaves, fish and shellfish.
• While you are in the area be sure to visit Rifle Falls State Park and Harvey Gap State Park, both centrally located for a perfect day trip from Rifle Gap State Park.
Location
5775 Highway 325
Rifle, CO 81650
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