Travelers planning a trip to Garfield will encounter striking contrasts in its landscapes and natural features. In Garfield County, the scenery ranges from rugged alpine panoramas to high-mountain deserts along the Continental Divide. At natural attractions Rifle Falls and Rifle Gap, water, limestone, and wildlife each stand out in their own way.
Landscape and Outdoor Activities
About 60 percent of Garfield County is federally owned and part of the federal public lands. The Flattops Wilderness is the second-largest designated wilderness area in Colorado. Recreational activities in Garfield County include hunting, fishing, hiking, rafting, kayaking, cycling, skiing, and snowboarding. Specific conditions and providers vary.
A particular highlight is the Red Hill Special Recreation Management Area near Carbondale, which is managed primarily for mountain biking and hiking. Parking and seasonal conditions may change; check them before visiting.
Water, Geology, and Wildlife
Rifle Falls State Park combines lush vegetation and waterfalls with limestone caves that attract cavers and other explorers. One geological feature is East Rifle Creek, which flows over a travertine barrier made of calcium carbonate.
Rifle Gap Reservoir covers 360 acres. Boating, fishing, swimming, water skiing, and windsurfing are possible there; access to the water may vary depending on conditions. Waterfowl and birds of prey visit the reservoir. Mammals found there or nearby include mule deer, elk, ground squirrels, and occasional beavers.
Rifle Gap lies at the edge of the White River Plateau. Fossils of leaves, fish, and shellfish can be found there. Nature observation around Rifle thus brings habitats and geological traces together: the reservoir offers opportunities for water sports and wildlife viewing, while fossils provide a glimpse of past life forms.
Hikes with Different Character
The Hanging Lake Trail is 1.2 miles (1.9 km) long and climbs 1,200 feet (366 m). It is steep, challenging, and rocky. Assessing this hike therefore involves not only its length, but also its substantial elevation gain and the terrain described. Other activities in Garfield County range from cycling to kayaking.
Culture, History, and Springs
The Rifle Heritage Center is the largest museum in Garfield County. In Rifle, the Ute is available for public concerts, performances, and films. In Glenwood Springs, the Glenwood Springs Historical Society offers brochures for self-guided walking tours of the city’s Western history. Together with the Frontier Museum, the Historical Society also hosts an annual Ghost Walk through Linwood Cemetery in October.
Springs also shape the area’s natural attractions: Yampah Spring produces more than 3.5 million gallons of mineral water each day at a temperature of 122 °F. The high-temperature geothermal spring water at Iron Mountain Hot Springs provides a habitat for aquatic species adapted to extreme environmental conditions. The natural features thus range from landforms and fossils to habitats in hot spring water.
Discover more destinations: Glenwood Springs, Rifle, Parachute, Silt, New Castle, Otero, Lincoln County, Summit.
For the broader travel overview: Colorado.
