Colorado’s high desert is not where you expect a waterfall. Red rock, dry air, and open sky define Garfield County. But just 14 miles north of the town of Rifle, a 48-acre state park breaks every expectation.
Three waterfalls drop side by side, limestone caves open into the cliffs, and cold creek water supports populations of trout. Rifle Falls State Park is one of Colorado’s most surprising natural destinations.
Three waterfalls from one power plant
Rifle Falls has drawn visitors since 1884, when James Watson opened the Rifle Falls Ranch and charged admission to see the caves and water.
By 1890, Allan Zerbe had built a resort with overnight cabins on the same land. Then, in 1910, the town of Rifle constructed a hydroelectric plant at the base of the falls. The hydroelectric project altered the flow of the falls, contributing to the three distinct cascades seen today.
The plant powered the town of Rifle for roughly 5 decades before going offline in 1959. Colorado took over the land in 1966 and converted it into a state recreation area. One of the three falls still shoots from a pipe, recalling the old infrastructure below.
The geology behind the triple falls
East Rifle Creek flows over Leadville Limestone, a rock layer that formed during the Mississippian period, roughly 300 million years ago. As the water moves over the edge, it releases carbon dioxide and deposits calcium carbonate onto the rock face below. That slow buildup is called a travertine dam, and it created the cliff in the first place.
The process is still active. Thick green moss covers the face of the falls, fed constantly by the mist rolling off the water. Colorado Parks and Wildlife describes the park as the closest you can get to the tropics in the state.
The lush vegetation stands in sharp contrast to the surrounding desert. Geologists believe the limestone cliff may have originally formed.
Exploring the limestone caves
Behind and beneath the falls, limestone caves are open for visitors to explore. Groundwater dissolved pockets in the porous Leadville Limestone over thousands of years, leaving hollow spaces behind. One cave extends nearly 90 feet into the cliff.
The walls stay wet, and the footing gets slippery near the entrance. The caves shelter 3 bat species: the Townsend’s Big-eared Bat, the Great Brown Bat, and the Silver-Haired Bat. Some sections of the canyon run narrow with tall walls on both sides.
Geologists believe these corridors may be the remains of a much larger underground cavern that collapsed long ago. The caves give a glimpse of what this valley may have looked like thousands of years ago.
Fun fact: One of the limestone caves at Rifle Falls extends 90 feet into the rock and requires a flashlight to navigate.
Walking the Coyote Trail to the top
The Coyote Trail is the park’s main route and the best starting point for first-time visitors. It runs about 1.5 miles as an easy loop from the parking area. The trail takes you past the base of the falls, through the cave zone, and up a staircase to a viewing platform at the top.
The green valley below opens up in full view from there. Cottonwood and boxelder trees line most of the route, kept alive by the mist drifting off the water. One staircase leads into an alcove directly behind one of the falls.
You will get wet in that spot. Interpretive displays are posted along the trail with details about the park’s geology, history, and wildlife.
Bobcat Trail to the hatchery
The Bobcat Trail runs one mile from the state park to the Rifle Falls State Fish Hatchery. It moves through forest and open meadow while following East Rifle Creek for long stretches. The limestone cliffs along the way attract bald and golden eagles, and turkey vultures circle overhead regularly.
Walking slowly improves wildlife-viewing opportunities. Once the trail crosses onto state wildlife land near the hatchery, pets are not permitted. The Squirrel Trail offers a third option, running 1.5 miles along the creek near the campground through cottonwood shade.
The trail network allows visitors to combine routes into a longer hike. That loop covers the full park without retracing a single step.
Fishing for trout in East Rifle Creek
East Rifle Creek holds rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout in cold, clear water. Fly fishing and bait fishing are both permitted. Fish up to 19 inches have been caught here, though most run between 6 and 9 inches.
The Coyote Trail leads to stocked ponds above the falls for additional access. You need a valid Colorado fishing license before casting a line anywhere in the park. The Rifle Falls State Fish Hatchery raises rainbow, cutthroat, brook, brown, and Snake River cutthroat trout for the state.
Staff flies Colorado River cutthroat trout by plane to remote mountain lakes each summer. The hatchery offers seasonal public tours.
Wildlife beyond the water
Mule deer and elk move through the park regularly, and smaller animals like coyotes, marmots, and cottontail rabbits are common on the trails. Mountain bluebirds, hairy woodpeckers, and flycatchers are found in the riparian zone near the creek. In winter, northern goshawks and bald eagles pass through the area.
Wildlife viewing kiosks are posted throughout the park. The 3 bat species roosting in the limestone cliffs tend to emerge around dusk. The creekside zone supports narrow-leafed cottonwoods, hawthorns, and boxelders, making it a strong spot for birdwatchers.
Photographers and film crews have used the location for its rare combination of desert surroundings and lush waterfall scenery.
Camping at Rifle Falls
20 campsites sit along the southern edge of East Rifle Creek, split between 13 drive-in sites and seven walk-in tent sites. Each site includes a fire ring, picnic table, and bear-proof food storage box. Many drive-in sites have electric hookups.
Reservations open 6 months ahead through Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. year-round, and the triple waterfall partially freezes in winter. A Colorado state parks pass, or daily vehicle pass, is required for entry.
Crowds drop sharply in the colder months, making a winter visit ideal for solitude. Rifle Gap State Park sits about 10 minutes away with a 360-acre reservoir for boating and swimming.
Little-known fact: Rifle Falls State Park features three 60-foot cascading waterfalls that tumble over a travertine limestone cliff. Tucked behind these falls are several limestone caverns, with the deepest extending roughly 90 feet into the cliffside.
TL;DR
- Rifle Falls State Park sits 14 miles north of Rifle, Colorado, in Garfield County, and covers just 48 acres.
- Three 60-foot waterfalls flow side by side over a travertine limestone cliff formed by calcium carbonate deposits over millions of years.
- A hydroelectric plant built in 1910 split the original single waterfall into the three-pronged cascade seen today.
- Limestone caves behind the falls are open to explore and shelter three species of bats.
- The park offers three hiking trails, 20 campsites, trout fishing, and is open year-round from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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