Rifle Gap State Park
Also known as Rifle Gap Reservoir
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Daily 5 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Entrance fee
- $10 per dayAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed6-ft leash
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- cpw.state.co.us970-625-1607
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 1
Partial closure ClosuresDue to low reservoir levels, Rifle Gap State Park CLOSED its boat ramp for the remainder of the 2026 boating season. While motorized boat access will… (more)
Due to low reservoir levels, Rifle Gap State Park CLOSED its boat ramp for the remainder of the 2026 boating season. While motorized boat access will no longer be available, the lake remains open to hand-launched vessels, like kayaks, canoes and paddleboards. Visitors should plan for the following operational adjustments and potential safety risks: • Extended shorelines: Boat ramp gates will be locked. Hand-launch users must walk significant distances across exposed lakebeds to reach the water. • Mud hazards: Access to the water may be unsafe at times because of muddy conditions. Park staff may implement temporary closures during these periods. • Delayed emergency response: Visitors should expect extended response times for water rescues and recreate at their own risk. "Life jackets save lives," said Rifle Gap State Park Manager Brian Palcer. "Weather conditions can change rapidly in Colorado. If you plan to be on the water, simply having a life jacket on your vessel may not be enough — we strongly encourage that you wear it at all times." Colorado Parks and Wildlife reminds those spending time on the water that state law requires one U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket for…
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
Covering about 1,343 acres, Rifle Gap State Park lies in Garfield County, about 7 miles north of Rifle.
The park supports cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, winter sports, and hunting in season. Facilities for water recreation include a boat ramp and a fishing pier. For overnight stays there are campsites (RV sites, tent sites, and showers).
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 5 a.m. – 10 p.m. | — |
| Office | Daily | 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. | — |
| Visitor center | Daily | 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. | — |
Official wording
Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Office: Daily, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Visitor Center is located on the northeast side of the reservoir on State Highway 325. First aid, public restrooms, a gift shop, fishing and boating conditions, boat, OHV, and snowmobile registrations, internet access and exhibits are all available. The Visitor Center at Rifle Gap State Park also serves Harvey Gap and Rifle Falls State Parks.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Denver).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Daily Vehicle Pass | $10 · day |
| Daily Vehicle Pass | $15 · day |
| Daily Vehicle Pass | $4 · day |
Official wording
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10-$15 Individual Daily Pass: $4
Colorado park passes
- Keep Colorado Wild Pass — $29. Annual vehicle entry for Colorado residents, bought with DMV vehicle registration Details
- Individual Annual Pass — $29. Non-vehicle entry (foot, bike, horse) for passholder plus three accompanying visitors; resident or nonresident Details
- Family Annual Pass (hang tag) — $120. One household; transferable between vehicles Details
- Annual Affixed Vehicle Parks Pass — $80. One vehicle; resident or nonresident Details
- Aspen Leaf Pass — $70. Colorado residents 64+, vehicle registered in Colorado; $3/night camping discount Sun–Thu Details
From the Colorado state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- CPWshop (Aspira/Brandt reservation platform)
- Phone
- 1-800-244-5613
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed · leash up to 6 feet
Animals permitted: Leashed Dogs, Service Animals Leashed pets are allowed at campsites. All pets must be under control and on a maximum six-foot leash at all times, and not attached to any park signs, trees, shrubs or hydrants. Pets may not be left unattended, and pet owners must promptly clean up after their pets.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
Campers like Rifle Gap’s campgrounds for their wide-open sites, breathtaking views of the reservoir and spectacular mountain vistas. Reserve Now Camp where you play! Campsites along the reservoir make it easy to get back to your water adventures. Rifle Gap’s walk-in tent sites are nestled among pinyon and juniper trees, providing some privacy. They include covered picnic tables and fire pits.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
BoatingCampingWinter sportsCross-country skiingFishingHikingHuntingIce fishingPicnickingSnowmobilingSwimming
Trails
The nearly five miles of designated hiking trails located within the park can be accessed from any of the camping loops, the Visitor Center parking lot and the swim beach. It is possible to walk the perimeter of the lake as well. Adjacent to the park is Bureau of Land Management land, which offers a multitude of dirt roads that you can hike. Trail Map
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Flush toilets
- Vault or pit toilets
- Showers
- Picnic areas
- Visitor center
- Park or camp store
Water
- Boat ramp
- Fishing pier
Camping
- Tent camping
- RV camping
Accessibility
- Accessible campsites
- Accessible fishing
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
- Accessible fishing
- Accessible campsites
Accessible facilities listed: Accessible Fishing Pier, Accessible Campsite
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Rules and permits
When you camp at Rifle Gap State Park, check-in time is 1 p.m. on the day of arrival and check-out time is 12 p.m. (noon) on the day of departure. Please do not park on the vegetation or off the roadway. A maximum of six people are allowed per campsite.
Getting there
- Address
- 5775 Highway 325
Rifle, CO 81650 - Nearest town
- Rifle — about 7 mi north (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 39.6332, -107.7452
- Phone
- 970-625-1607
- rifle.gap.park@state.co.us
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
Directions From 1-70 Take I-70 to the Rifle exit (90), then go north on Highway 13 for four miles. This takes you through the town of Rifle on Railroad Ave. When the road comes to a Y, stay to the right on Highway 13. Turn right onto Highway 325 and Rifle Gap will be about six miles.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Colorado State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Aug 3, 2026
- CPW website Drupal JSON:API, node type state_park (43 published nodes; same store that renders /state-parks/{slug})
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology