Overview
Rifle is a town in the northwestern part of the state of Colorado, in the United States of America.
3 things to do
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Rifle
Rifle Mountain Park
Located just 13 miles North of Rifle, serves as one of America's premiere sport climbing destinations. The climbing season runs from mid-April through late October. Climbers can pay a daily entrance fee of $4 or purchase…
Rifle Creek Golf Course
Three miles North of Rifle, could easily be one of the most scenic and spectacular 18-hole championship courses in Colorado. This beautiful and pristine course, designed by Richard M. Phelps, uses all of the area's natur…
Lakota Links
Another awesome local course. Hard to say to much about this course, other than it is difficult!
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Summer highs reach about 93°F; winter lows dip to about 21°F. Very hot (Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Cold months (Jan, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Sep and Oct. (climate data from nearby Colorado National Monument)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- EGE Eagle County Regional Airport, Eagle — 47 mi away. Directions
- GJT Grand Junction Regional Airport, Grand Junction — 49 mi away. Directions
- DEN Denver International Airport, Denver — 167 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Rifle Mountain Park, Rifle Creek Golf Course
- Afternoon Lakota Links
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Understand
Rifle is a home-rule municipality in, and the most populous community of, Garfield County, Colorado, United States. Its population was 10,437 at the 2020 census. Rifle is a regional center of the cattle-ranching industry located along Interstate 70 and the Colorado River just east of the Roan Plateau, which dominates the western skyline of the town. The town was founded in 1882 by Abram Maxfield, and was incorporated in 1905 along Rifle Creek, near its mouth on the Colorado. Rifle developed as a regional agricultural and commercial centre in the Colorado River valley. The surrounding area combines farmland, mountains, canyons and high desert landscapes. The city is also a convenient base for exploring western Colorado. Outdoor activities in the surrounding area include hiking, fishing, camping, hunting and wildlife viewing.
Do
Do Rifle Mountain Park
Located just 13 miles North of Rifle, serves as one of America's premiere sport climbing destinations. The climbing season runs from mid-April through late October. Climbers can pay a daily entrance fee of $4 or purchase a yearly pass for $40. Camping is available in designated sites for $7 per night.
Do Rifle Creek Golf Course
Three miles North of Rifle, could easily be one of the most scenic and spectacular 18-hole championship courses in Colorado. This beautiful and pristine course, designed by Richard M. Phelps, uses all of the area's natural beauty. Worth the visit and good value. Back 9 is best.
History
In 1878, Nathan Meeker was appointed as the director of the White River Ute Agency (the town of Meeker 40 miles north of Rifle was named after him). Meeker had no training or knowledge of Ute culture, and launched into a campaign centered on sedentary agriculture and European-American schooling. As this clashed with the culture of the nomadic Utes, he was met with resistance. It all came to a head when Meeker had the pasture and racetrack for the Ute's horses plowed under.
Nearby
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City / town · 26 listings · 24 mi away
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Palisade
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Paonia
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Clifton
City / town · 4 listings · 48 mi away
Hotchkiss
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Eagle
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My experience
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