Rifle Falls State Park Campground

We stayed the night of 10/11 and 10/12...had reservations of course. Site 16. It was cold. And wet. But that meant we had the park almost completely to ourselves. Site 16 is a short walk from the parking lot, close enough to the bathrooms and parking lot, also close enough to the creek. No host on site, but bathrooms were maintained and water was available. Our site was walk-in and we are not light campers, took a few trips with the wheelbarrows to set up camp. There was a bear box at our site, but we took advantage of every walk to the bathroom by stopping at our car to stow or retrieve something. Drove a few miles to Rifle Gap State Park where there was firewood available for 5$/bundle. Would love to return again a little earlier in the fall to see more of the color, but would hate to see it more crowded...

Good for reserved spots

Very nice, very scenic, very beautiful. If you are looking for somewhere with waterfalls in Colorado, this is it! The campsites numbered 1-10 are the RV sites and most are near water/ the creek. The other sites are tent only and are very secluded.

Tent camped in walk on site #18.

First, the bad: there are a lot of day use visitors going to the falls not many come down by walk in campsites, but all of them drive past the larger sites (and park in front of your site). It was really hot in early July. So hot we left and went uphill, drove around in the AC, until it cooled off. Pit toilets smelled like death and were so-so clean. Bugs everywhere.

Now the good: the falls are really neat. It’s quiet here in the early morning and evening. Walk in sites are very private, and the rushing stream next to them adds a layer of feeling like you’re not in a campground. Sites are spacious. Wheelbarrows to cart your stuff down the hill. Bear boxes a little small, but bears aren’t really a nuisance here either.

Beautiful, shady, and 5 degrees cooler than the surrounding area. Falls and caves are a must see.

Rifle Falls is a very small, year-round campground (13 electric sites and 7 walk-in tent sites) but it is very popular for day use. In fact, we waited until after 6 pm on the day we arrived to walk the 1.5-mile path to see the waterfalls and caves because it was so crowded on a Sunday afternoon that it required a ranger to direct traffic. We took an additional walk there on Monday morning and it was quiet until around 11 am, when the crowds started to pick up again. 

There are two vault toilets and they were not very clean, likely due to so many non-campers using them. Seven of the RV electric sites are back-in (1-3 and 10-13) and the remainder are pull-through. Not a lot of physical separation between the sites but the sites are large enough and spaced far enough apart. The tent sites are spaced a very decent amount apart with lots of trees between them and carts are provided to bring your stuff to your site. 

In addition to your camping fees, an annual or day-use pass is required to enter the park (applies to all Colorado state parks). 

The main draws to this park are the waterfalls and caves and both were definitely worth a stay in this park to see them.

Although the camping area is small it more than makes up for it in the walk in sites space and the beauty of the waterfalls. 

This is a typical state park that works for all types of camping. There are pull-through sites for RVs, tent sites, and walk-in sites that are more spaced apart. 

The bathrooms are well maintained and the campsites are great for all types of tents. Keep in mind that the main attraction of the park is the falls so there will be traffic all day heading out to the trailhead to visit the falls. 

The sites are tightly packed together and typically booked months out. I got really lucky and snagged one of the walk-in sites that didn't show due to rain. 

The parking area is small to keep the trails uncluttered but there are still plenty of people that are fishing, hiking, and playing in the caves. 

Because of the rain, I was the only one on the trails when I headed out around 8 am. The parking lot was empty and I was able to sit and enjoy the falls solo. By the time I left the trail the lot was packed and there were lots of fisherman and kiddos heading out to hit the beaver trail for secret fishing spots.

A small but beautiful campground with awesome waterfalls, caves, and hiking.  There are 13 RV/tent sites and 7 walk-in tent sites.  The campground gets crowded during the weekends with hikers and fishermen so parking can be an issue.  The bathhouse has pit toilets only and no sinks.  There are dumpsters and a potable water point.  Great place to get away and unwind for the weekend.

This state park has the most spectacular tropical feeling waterfalls. In Colorado! What a unique place.

The camping is reserved for a very small number of spots that are unique. Some of these spots have hookups but be very aware that the spots are all situated directly on the main park entrance road. This is a small park so they allow parking basically in the camp spots. It’s a little odd since it gets so crowded on the weekends.... but At night when you have it all to yourself? Pure bliss.

Be sure to fish the upper ponds, explore the caves and hike the fish hatchery! All awesome!

Pretty water falls but not tall. Good hiking beautiful scenery. On hot days it's a great place to cool off. Only bad things is it's pretty tight quarters when full.

I’ve lived in Colorado for over 20 years and camped in Co before that and had never heard of this place. It is wonderful! Super clean campground with electric and pit toilets. Sites are fairly private and I think reservations would be helpful as it’s small and seems pretty popular. The hike to the falls is short from the day use area. It is amazing!!! The hike also has some great caves and allows you to go up and look down on the falls. This place is a great stop!

One of my favorite tent camping spots, most sites are private and right along the creek. The park also provides bins to carry supplies to the tent sites which makes it much easier since you can’t park at your site.

Small yet very pretty setting. Waterfall and caves are great.

This is a beautiful spot with amazing waterfall. Park is small with little hiking and fishing, yet a great place to just relax. No showers, pitted toilets.

Didnt camp here, just took a few hours to play. The Falls is great to play around and in the water. Also there is a nice trail. Bring a flashlight to explore the caves.

This cam ground was awesome complete with a waterfall on site. We camped in the walk in sites and it was so handy because they provide wheelbarrows to haul your stuff into the sites (which wasn't far). There is a nice stream that runs through and the sites were very clean. We want to go back and play. Be sure to explore the caves by the water fall the kiddos loved it.

Go hike during the day.

this campground isn’t the quietest in location. It is very close to the trail and picnic areas. But it is within feet to the trail for the falls and caves. Still a very beautiful experience.

Campground offers easy trails, fishing, great waterfalls and friendly staff. Would recommend the walk in sites for tents. Is pet friendly which was a plus. There are two other state parks nearby and a fish hatchery. Trails range from gravel to mud (especially behind the waterfall), check out the caves and more!

if you don't want cars and people walking by all day long, find another place to camp (Rifle Gap 10 miles away). This place is busy during the day. Quiet at night.

Gorgeous falls, caves, a nice little river. Fun for kids, can get crowded.