Notable Campgrounds
- Best for families: Cottonwood Campground offers coin-operated showers and easy-access to the dump station.
- Best for boaters: Pinyon Campground is conveniently situated right by the park’s boat ramp.
- Best for off-highway vehicles (OHV): Sage Campground is right by a stretch of BLM land that many use for OHV driving.
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
- You can reserve one of the 89 campsites at Rifle Gap by calling Colorado Parks and Wildlife or using their online reservation system.
- If you plan to come in the summer, reserve well in advance. Reservations are available up to six months in advance online or over the phone.
- Same-day reservations are also available online, over the phone, and in person.
- If you can’t find a site in the park, you may have better luck at Rifle Falls State Park nearby or at one of the private campgrounds or Hipcamps in the area.
When to Go
The most popular time of year to visit Rifle Gap State Park is between Memorial Day Weekend and Labor Day Weekend, when the weather in the area is generally hot. However, this is also the busiest time of year—for good weather with fewer crowds, consider coming in May or September. If you’re a fan of birdwatching, you’ll likely see the largest number of migratory species in spring or autumn. Note that all of the campgrounds, except Lakeview, are open in winter.
Know Before You Go
- The closest place to pick up groceries and supplies is the city of Rifle, about a 15-minute drive from the park.
- All boaters must have their boats inspected for aquatic nuisance species before they will be allowed to launch.
- Dogs are welcome at the park, but must remain on six-foot leashes and may not be left unattended.
- ADA sites are available in Cottonwood, Lakeview, and cedar Campgrounds.
- All visitors will need to purchase and display a single-day or annual parking pass, irrespective of whether they are camping or just coming for the day.
Rifle Gap State Park
Take advantage of 360 surface acres of crystalline reservoir water at this state park.
Situated at the base of the Grand Hogback ridge in western Colorado, Rifle Gap is popular among water-sports enthusiasts, due to its prime location on the banks of the Rifle Gap Reservoir. Popular activities here include fishing, and waterskiing, and there are multiple picnic areas plus a swim beach right in the park. For those wishing to spend the night, Rifle Gap offers 89 campsites spread across over five campgrounds, some with electric hookups. Other park facilities include a seasonal boat ramp, a visitor center with a gift shop, coin-operated showers, and a dump station.
Situated at the base of the Grand Hogback ridge in western Colorado, Rifle Gap is popular among water-sports enthusiasts, due to its prime location on the banks of the Rifle Gap Reservoir. Popular activities here include fishing, and waterskiing, and there are multiple picnic areas plus a swim beach right in the park. For those wishing to spend the night, Rifle Gap offers 89 campsites spread across over five campgrounds, some with electric hookups. Other park facilities include a seasonal boat ramp, a visitor center with a gift shop, coin-operated showers, and a dump station.
Activities in the park
5 campgrounds in Rifle Gap State Park
Sage Campground is one of five spots to camp in Rifle Gap State Park, but what makes this place special is its easy access to miles of off-roading trails. If you have a lifted truck with tires that look like they came off a machine at a construction site, look no further. Of course, if you’re towing a boat and looking to spend most of your time on Read more...
If you look at a map of Colorado, Rifle Gap State Park is basically smack dab in the middle of the Rocky Mountain range, just a short distance off I-70. This is where you’ll find Cottonwood Campground. And let us tell you, you’ll be glad you found it. Situated right on the shores of a beautiful 350-acre reservoir, you’ll have front-row seats to so Read more...
When whoever built Lakeview campground decided to build it, they definitely had the right idea. Perched atop a hill overlooking a huge mountain reservoir in the heart of the Colorado Rockies, this place is next-level scenic. Roll in with your tent, RV, trailer or converted school bus and grab yourself a site. Any will do, because there ain’t a bad Read more...
Come one, come all to Cedar Campground in Rifle Gap State Park. If you’ve made it here, you’re doing something right because this is THE place to be in Colorado. With sites scattered along a pristine mountain reservoir, you’ll definitely want to bring your fishing pole and maybe your bathing suit—but remember, this area is covered with snow half t Read more...
Pinyon Campground is the smallest of five campgrounds in Rifle Gap State Park. While visitors towing big boats, jet skis and homes-on-wheels will want to look elsewhere, simple campers with a tent or a tiny trailer will love this spot. It’s quieter and and more private than the other campgrounds, with sites nestled amongst pinion and juniper trees Read more...
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Notable Campgrounds
Notable Campgrounds
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
When to Go
The most popular time of year to visit Rifle Gap State Park is between Memorial Day Weekend and Labor Day Weekend, when the weather in the area is generally hot. However, this is also the busiest time of year—for good weather with fewer crowds, consider coming in May or September. If you’re a fan of birdwatching, you’ll likely see the largest number of migratory species in spring or autumn. Note that all of the campgrounds, except Lakeview, are open in winter.
Know Before You Go
Public campgrounds (book externally) —