· Grand Mesa

Rifle Mountain Park

Aliases: Three Forks

This canyon with world-class cliffs is famous among rock climbers around the world. It is also a pleasant, cool, shady place in the hot summer for a picnic. Cordilleran Flycatcher, Swainson’s Thrush, Gray Catbird, Common Yellowthroat, Virginia Rail, and American Dipper can be heard in this canyon. As you leave the canyon, the habitat opens up and becomes forested with Douglas-fir, Engelmann and blue spruce and subalpine fir. Here look for Hammond’s Flycatcher, Western Tanager, Golden and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Brown Creeper, Wild Turkey, and Hermit Thrush.

County: Garfield

Habitat: Rimrock/Mesa, Mixed-Conifer Forest

Directions: Rifle Mountain Park is just north of Rifle Falls State Park and the Rifle Falls Fish Hatchery. Take the Newcastle exit off of I-70 (exit 105), and turn right off the freeway and come to a stop sign. Continue straight (north) on a four-lane road that then bends west through Castle Valley, a housing development just outside of town. After a couple of miles this road dead ends at Grass Valley Road. Follow Grass Valley Road west, passing the turn-offs for East Elk Canyon, Main Elk Canyon, West Elk Canyon, and Harvey Gap. After about 6-8 miles Grass Valley Road comes to a T-intersection. Turn right and follow this paved road up past the fish hatchery, where it turns to dirt. You're now in Rifle Mountain Park.

Delorme: 34 D3
Roads of Colorado: 67 D3

Dates of Access: Open year round
Hours: Dawn to Dusk
Ownership: City of Rifle
Admission: Day Pass $5, Annual Pass $15 - $50, Camping Pass $10 - $15

Restrictions: No ATV's allowed, quiet hours from 10 pm to 6 am. Please follow all posted regulations

Parking: Parking areas
Lodging: Camping, or hotels in Rifle

Handicapped: No
Handicapped Access: Limited car birding

Elevation: 7165

Latitude: 39.726328
Longitude: -107.688943

» Visit the website for Rifle Mountain Park