The Long Way
Garfield County
A person fly fishes in a creek surrounded by green trees and tall grass.
Plate I. Fishing, Rifle Falls State Park. From cpw.state.co.us
Two people stand near a waterfall holding an umbrella.
Plate II. Waterfalls and visitors, Rifle Falls State Park. From cpw.state.co.us
A young girl takes a photo of a woman standing in a rocky cave opening.
Plate III. Limestone cave, Rifle Falls State Park. From cpw.state.co.us
A family having a picnic at an outdoor table in a wooded park.
Plate IV. Picnickers at Rifle Falls State Park. From cpw.state.co.us
A person taking photos of a waterfall amidst lush greenery.
Plate V. Waterfall and visitor, Rifle Falls State Park. From cpw.state.co.us
A waterfall cascades over mossy rocks and lush green vegetation.
Plate VI. Waterfall, Rifle Falls State Park Trailhead. From cpw.state.co.us

Rifle Falls State Park Trailhead

Rifle, Garfield County, Colorado. State Park.

Details

Map. Rifle, Garfield County, Colorado. Larger map
Where
5775 Highway 325, CO 81650 United States, Rifle, CO 81650. Directions
When
Park: Daily, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Getting there
From 1-70 Take I-70 to the Rifle exit (exit 90), then go north on CO Highway 13 for four miles. This takes you through the town of Rifle on Railroad Ave. Turn right onto Highway 325 and drive 9.8 miles.
Fees
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10-$15; Individual Daily Pass: $4.
Access
There are no closures at this time.
Phone
970-625-1607
Managed by
Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Established
1966.

Rifle Falls State Park's lush vegetation and waterfalls have attracted photographers and movie crews from around the country to capture the area's unique scenery. Mysterious limestone caves beneath the falls entice spelunkers and other curious visitors to explore.

Notable Events

  1. 1883The area was first opened up to ranching in 1883, and eventually cabins were built and rented to tourists who viewed the falls and explored the caves. cpw.state.co.us
  2. 1890From 1890 until 1922, Allan Zerbe operated the Zerbe Resort, which offered cabins for overnight tourists. cpw.state.co.us
  3. 1903In 1903 Allen Zerbe opened Zerbe's Hotel and Resort at the base of Box Canyon, where the Rifle Fish Hatchery is now located; the resort and the nearby canyon and falls were a favorite subject of early photographer Fred Garrison. postindependent.com
  4. 1908From 1908 until 1959, the falls were a source of hydroelectric power for the town of Rifle. cpw.state.co.us
  5. 1910When the town of Rifle built the Rifle Hydroelectric Plant at the falls in 1910, the waterfall separated into the three 60-foot waterfalls that are spotted today. denvergazette.com
  6. 1915The Public Service Company bought the plant in 1915 and operated it until 1952; remnants of the stone hydroplant can still be seen. cpw.state.co.us
  7. 1966Once Rifle Falls became a state park in 1966, recreation was the focal point again. cpw.state.co.us

People

  • A. L. Zerbe, proprietor of the Rifle Falls Ranch, per the label on the photomontage (circa 1900-1910).
  • Allan Zerbe, operated the Zerbe Resort, which offered cabins for overnight tourists (1890 until 1922).
  • James Watson, created the Rifle Falls Ranch and charged admission to view the caves and waterfalls.
  • Allen Zerbe, opened Zerbe's Hotel and Resort at the base of Box Canyon (1903).

Sources

  1. cpw.state.co.us/state-parks/rifle-falls-state-park/rifle-falls-state-park-activities-trails
  2. cpw.state.co.us/state-parks/rifle-falls-state-park
  3. coloradovirtuallibrary.org/resource-sharing/state-pubs-blog/colorado-state-parks-rifle-falls-rifle-gap
  4. postindependent.com/citizen-telegram/early-days-of-rifle-mountain-park
  5. 5008.sydneyplus.com/HistoryColorado_ArgusNet_Final/ViewRecord.aspx?record=2ea13d9c-f4e1-48cc-8ec5-c1b0104bc7f1&template=Object
  6. 5008.sydneyplus.com/HistoryColorado_ArgusNet_Final/ViewRecord.aspx?record=08bd2a80-6ac3-4e73-9195-9500445b6893&template=Object
  7. denvergazette.com/2026/07/17/believe-it-or-not-this-triple-waterfall-in-colorado-wasnt-always-a-trio-of-falls