Pack your camera and a water bottle to head up into the mountains
surrounding Rifle, Colorado for a hike in the wilderness. The Grand
Mesa, Roan Cliffs, and Flat Top Mountains offer a variety of trails
ranging from mild day trips to strenuous multi day backpacking
excursions. A short drive up JQS will get you to the top of the Roan
Cliffs where you can spend hours hiking and taking in the majestic
views over Rifle and the surrounding Colorado River Valley. Come in
the fall to see the beautiful bright yellow Aspen trees lining the
top of the cliffs.
A short drive North of Rifle on Highway 13 will take you to the trailhead for Rifle Arch. The 60 foot tall sandstone arch spans 150 feet wide and is unique because it stands alone in the Grand Hogbacks. This one to two hour hike will take you to the arch and reveal grand views of the Colorado River Valley, small wildlife and deer, and the Grand Mesa. The White River National Forest has valuable information about this and other area trails including maps and advice for hikers.
Hiking at Colorado State Parks - Rifle Falls is a locals favorite!
Voted as # 6 in Sunset Magazine (April 2007)
Top 10 Waterfalls To Visit
"Most Colorado waterfalls require a sweat-soaked hike to experience crashing whitewater, but not Rifle Falls. Here, the effort is small, and the payoff great. Park at the trailhead and amble the 100 yards to the roaring triple cascades set against a rugged backdrop of limestone cliffs, large caves, and skyscraping mountain peaks. Take the easy half-mile trail to the top of the falls, stopping at various vantage points along the way to soak up the spray."
The Grand Mesa, the largest "flat top" mountain in the world, stretches over 70 miles from Rifle to Grand Junction, CO. The mesa features over 200 lakes and many trails meandering among Colorado pines and Aspen trees and through grassy meadows filled with wildflowers during the summer months. Many of the lakes are only accessible by foot or horseback so bring good hiking boots!
Stop by the Rifle Information Center (at Rifle's Rest Area) to pick up information on area hiking trail maps or enjoy a short (approx. 1 mile) walk around the lake at Lions Pond. Visit us at 200 Lions Park Circle in Rifle, along the Colorado River. Follow signs to the Information Center off of Interstate-70.
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