Rifle Falls: the triple waterfall, fee and caves
Rifle Falls splits into three separate drops across a 70-foot limestone cliff at Rifle Falls State Park, a result of an early-1900s hydroelectric project that rerouted the creek from one wide falls into three narrower ones. A paved path under 0.2 mile reaches the base, and a series of small caves beside and behind the falls are open to explore without a separate permit. It's one of the stops in our waterfalls in Colorado guide; for other states, start from the waterfalls near me map.
Fact box
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 39.678°N, 107.699°W, Garfield County, per USGS GNIS (GNIS-173912) |
| Height | About 70 ft (Colorado Parks and Wildlife, as of August 2026) |
| Trail length | Paved path, under 0.2 mile to the base |
| Difficulty | Easy; caves beside and behind the falls are open to explore without a separate permit |
| Fee | Colorado Parks and Wildlife daily vehicle pass, with a higher rate for out-of-state plates; Colorado residents can cover entry with the Keep Colorado Wild pass. Current prices on cpw.state.co.us (as of August 2026) |
| Legal status | Public, Rifle Falls State Park (Colorado Parks and Wildlife) |
| Season | Open year-round, per Colorado Parks and Wildlife (as of August 2026); the falls and caves can ice over heavily in winter |
Getting there and the trail
Rifle Falls is Colorado's only triple waterfall, and getting to it takes almost no effort: a paved path under 0.2 mile leads from the parking area to the base of the falls at Rifle Falls State Park, managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Small caves sit beside and behind the falls, and visitors can explore them without booking a separate permit. Entry is by the standard state park daily vehicle pass, which costs more for vehicles with out-of-state plates; Colorado residents can add the annual Keep Colorado Wild pass at vehicle registration and skip the daily fee. Prices change, so check the park's page for the current rate before you go.
The triple falls and the caves
The three-way split at Rifle Falls isn't natural. In the early 1900s, a hydroelectric project rerouted the creek that once fell as a single wide sheet over the limestone cliff, splitting the flow into the three narrower streams visitors see today. The park stays open year-round, and the falls and caves can ice over heavily in winter, a different sight from the summer flow and a slicker one underfoot.
How this guide was researched
This page was compiled from Colorado Parks and Wildlife's pages for Rifle Falls State Park and public GNIS coordinate data. We haven't visited this site ourselves. Fees and conditions can change; verify current pricing and conditions with Colorado Parks and Wildlife before you go. Last checked August 2026.
FAQ
Why does Rifle Falls split into three separate drops?
An early-1900s hydroelectric project rerouted the creek from a single wide falls into three narrower streams, the shape visitors see at Rifle Falls today.
How much does it cost to visit Rifle Falls?
Colorado Parks and Wildlife's standard daily vehicle pass applies, with a higher rate for out-of-state plates; Colorado residents with the Keep Colorado Wild pass don't pay the daily fee. Check cpw.state.co.us for the current price.
Can you go inside the caves at Rifle Falls?
Yes. The small caves beside and behind the falls are open to explore without booking a separate permit.
Is Rifle Falls open in winter?
Yes, the park stays open year-round, though the falls and caves can ice over heavily in cold weather.
We haven't visited these places ourselves, and every page says so rather than implying otherwise. Details are compiled from public land-manager, USGS and NOAA sources and cross-checked where possible; conditions, access rules and fees change without notice, so confirm with the managing agency before you go. Page last checked August 2026. Read our full methodology.