Rifle Gap State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Located about 9 miles north of Rifle, Rifle Gap State Park offers many opportunities to go boating and swimming. Others choose to use the lake for jet skiing and water skiing. In BLM land adjacent to the park, there are plenty of outstanding spots designated for fishing, hunting, and hiking. This park is located about 183 miles west of Denver, 70 miles northwest of Snowmass Village, and 70 miles northeast of Grand Junction. It is also a popular winter destination among cross-country skiers, snowshoers, and snowmobilers in this area.
Spring 36-64 F
Summer 49-86 F
Fall 38-73 F
Winter 15-43 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Rifle Gap State Park
While this state park offers many unique recreation opportunities, it's somewhat isolated in western Colorado. This makes the destination better suited for RV travelers.
If you do not have a recreational vehicle, then rent one on RVshare. With an RV rental, you can stay where all the fun will be happening.
Rifle Gap State Park Campgrounds
Imagine waking up under pinon and juniper trees with beautiful views of the reservoir from your RV. There are five campgrounds at this state park. Rates start at $20 a night, and each campground sits in an isolated location, allowing you to enjoy the feeling of communing with nature with just you and your loved ones.
• Water hookup: Yes
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: No
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Paved roads, concrete sites, shade shelters
Elk Creek Campground
Camp along the shores of Elk Creek at this campground in New Castle, Colorado. It offers all the basics that you need for a great camping trip, and you can fish in the river and hike along its shores.
• Water hookup: Yes
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: Yes
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Restrooms, river
Rifle Falls State Park
Imagine catching your own trout dinner and preparing it over an open campfire at Rifle Falls State Park. If you stay at this campground, which is five miles north of Rifle Gap State Park, you'll want to bring your camera to capture images of the beautiful waterfalls that have been used as backdrops in several movies. Nightly rates start at $22.
• Water hookup: Yes
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: No
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Fire rings, fishing
Glenwood Springs West/Colorado River KOA Campground
Your kids will love cooling off at the splash park while you enjoy a romantic time in the hot tub at this KOA campground. Your dog will love playing in the dog park. Rates start at about $45 a night.
• Water hookup: Yes
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: Yes
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Hot tub, splash park, dog park
What to Do at
Rifle Gap State Park
Inside Rifle Gap State Park
You can plan a trip to this state park for any season of the year. During the spring, bring your fishing gear to catch walleye in the reservoir and your bike to ride around near the water. In the summer, grab your swimsuit, your water skis and your Jet Skis for an adrenaline-filled vacation. Once the temperatures begin to cool again, then plan a family vacation at the large pavilion. When the snow starts flying, this is a great place to go ice fishing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Outside Rifle Gap State Park
This park is surrounded by other amazing outdoor venues to visit, including Cedar Mountain, which has spots for deer and elk hunting, Rifle Falls State Park, where you can see beautiful waterfalls, and White River National Forest with its 12 ski resorts. If you are looking for great places to shop and dine, there are plenty of those in little towns near this state park. Rifle is just a 20-minute drive from the park.
Restaurants
Rib City Grill
The aroma of freshly cooked barbecue wafts through the air as you step out of your vehicle at this restaurant. You can get fall-off-the-bone baby-back ribs, smoked turkey, brisket and more with all your favorite sides.
Type: Diner
Location: 707 Wapiti Ct, Rifle, CO 81650
Shooters Grill
Get served by waitresses packing guns at this restaurant. The fries and the hamburgers are outstanding, but you shouldn't miss their fish days.
Type: Diner
Location: 120 E 3rd St Unit C, Rifle, CO 81650
Polanka
Stuffed cabbage rolls, potato pancakes, Kielbasa sandwiches, and more are found at this small, authentic Polish restaurant.
Type: Polish
Location: 309 Railroad Ave, Rifle, CO 81650
Thai Chili Bistro
Get chicken pad Thai, curries and outstanding sushi at the Thai Chili Bistro. It is owned by immigrants from Thailand, so you know the food is authentic.
Type: Thai
Location: 115 E 3rd St, Rifle, CO 81650
Tequila's Family Mexican Restaurant
You can get your favorite entrees at this small Mexican restaurant. The menu includes flavorful enchiladas and burritos along with over 100 tequila and other specialty cocktails with a south-of-the-border twist.
Type: Mexican
Location: 800 Airport Rd Suite 3, Rifle, CO 81650
Shopping
Crystal Tuning
Start building or add to your collection of rocks, gems, stones, minerals, fossils, and geodes. The shop also sells many gifts made from nature, and you can get essential oils here.
Location: 819 Grand Ave, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Midland Art Company
At this store, you can find jewelry, clothing, home décor, and more created by over 30 artists living in the Rifle area.
Location: 101 East 3rd St, Rifle, CO 81650
New Castle Gardens
Make your green thumb even greener with a stop at this organic store where you can find gardening supplies, plants, and locally produced gifts.
Location: 6501 CR 214, New Castle, Colorado 81647
Rifle Performance Motorsports
Hit the trails with a new or used snowmobile, ATV, or another machine from this shop that also carries parts and performs repairs.
Location: 1014 Access Road, Rifle, CO 81650
Glenwood Springs Farmers Market
Listen to bands perform on Tuesdays while shopping for local produce, honey, crafts, baked goods, and more at this farmers market. It is open from late spring to early fall.
Location: 1702 Grand Ave, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Sightseeing
Glenwood Hot Springs
Here, you can relax in the world’s largest mineral hot springs pool. It has been operating since 1888.
Location: 401 N River St, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park
Ride eight adventure rides, tour a cavern, and go hiking at this attraction.
Location: 51000 Two Rivers Plaza Rd, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Rifle Mountain Park
Discover how brave you are by climbing over 250 bolted-climbing routes at this city-owned park. You can even go ice climbing here.
Location: 13885 County Road 217, Rifle, CO 81650
Glenwood Canyon
Plan a full day to explore Glenwood Canyon. Activities here include whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, hiking, picnicking, cycling and wildlife viewing.
Location: Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Glenwood Springs Historical Society & Frontier Museum
Tour the Frontier Museum in a replica log cabin to learn about this area’s history and its connections to the Ute Indians.
Location: 1001 Colorado Ave., Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
How to Get to
Rifle Gap State Park
It is easy to access this park even if you are driving a large RV because it is conveniently located just off Interstate 70. Start by taking the Rifle Exit and head through town. When the road comes to a "Y," stay to the right and get on Highway 13. When you get to Highway 325, turn to the right, and the park will be about 6 miles ahead of you.
Entering Rifle Gap State Park
The entry to Rifle Gap State Park is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Camping, boating, and fishing access are available 24/7.
Rifle Gap State Park Per vehicle : $9.0
$80 annual pass available
Rifle Gap State Park Per person (without a vehicle) : $4.0
Rifle Gap State Park is a great place to visit any time of the year. If you've been here, then tell your friends and family about it on social media. Tag RVshare.com in your posts as we want to see what everyone has to say. You can also send your memories to [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions About Rifle Gap State Park
There are 89 single-family campsites at the beautiful Rifle Gap State Park Campground, and 63 are designated RV sites. All of the RV campsites come equipped with full hookups and can accommodate large trailers.
Many interesting wildlife species can be seen around Rifle Gap State Park. The park's inhabitants include elk, mule deer, bats, long-tailed weasels, skunks, badgers, bobcats, mountain lions, red and gray foxes, coyotes, and a variety of birds and reptiles.
Pets are permitted at Rifle Gap State Park for no additional fee. However, your pets must always be on leashes of no more than six feet whenever they're outside your vehicle.
The summers at Rifle Gap State Park are moderate, with temperatures ranging from 44 to 88 degrees. The winters are much harsher, often seeing major snowstorms and temperatures below 10 degrees.
The best time to visit the park depends on the activities you prefer to enjoy. Winter is perfect for ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing, but summer is preferable for fishing, biking, and watersports.