Rangely brings together topics that might seem far apart at first glance: historic buildings explore the region’s history, The TANK is dedicated to sound art, and the White River and Kenney Reservoir offer a variety of activities on the water. There are also trips into the landscape south of town. When planning your time in Rangely, you can choose how to balance culture, water and outdoor activities.
Cultural History and Sound Art
The Rangely Outdoor Museum uses historic buildings to present several chapters of the town’s history. These include the history of Indigenous peoples and Rangely’s prehistory, as well as pioneer and ranching history and the development of energy resources. The museum therefore brings together different eras and topics rather than focusing on just one period.
The TANK has a very different focus: it is Rangely’s center for sound art and also an audio lab for musicians, sound artists, educators and residents. Its construction history is unusual, too. The seven-story Corten steel water tank was relocated to Rangely in the mid-1960s. When planning your trip, you can choose between two distinct cultural experiences: historic buildings and regional history on the one hand, and sound art and a striking structure on the other.
The Canyon Pintado National Historic District includes hundreds of archaeological sites, primarily associated with the Indigenous Fremont and Ute peoples. SeptemberFest takes place in Rangely every year over Labor Day weekend. If you’d like to time your trip around the festival, check the specific dates in advance.
The White River and Kenney Reservoir
The White River flows through the center of Rangely, creating a scenic backdrop of sandstone cliffs along the town’s north side. In the warm season, lush vegetation adds to the scenery. The river offers opportunities for boating, fishing and wildlife watching; conditions for floating on the water vary by season. The river is therefore a place for both activities and observing nature.
Kenney Reservoir is one mile east of Rangely, where the Taylor Draw Dam impounds the White River. Activities listed on its calm waters include water skiing, diving, swimming, boating, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. Which activities are possible may depend on the weather and local conditions. The reservoir also has a marina, campgrounds and wildlife-viewing areas. If these amenities are important to your plans, check local conditions and current operations before your trip.
Outdoor Activities and Panoramic Views
The Rangely Rock Crawling Park is a few miles southwest of town. It is the only designated natural rock crawling park in the state of Colorado. South of Rangely, BLM land offers terrain for mountain biking. It can be reached via County Road 23, also known as Dragon Road; the terrain includes sagebrush flats and prominent rock steps. The Wagon Wheel OHV Trails range from easy to extremely challenging. These options differ mainly in the activities they offer and the trail characteristics described.
Another option is Cedar Ridges Golf Course, on the mesas above Rangely. The public course has nine holes and is par 36, with panoramic views of the town. Your choices therefore include a range of landscape experiences: the river or reservoir, terrain south of town, and views from the mesas.
Discover more destinations: Meeker
Return to the main travel overview: Rio Blanco County.
