Rifle Falls State Park

In the middle of the day on Sunday, June 21, 2015, we left the Arches National Park and moved to Rifle Falls State Park by the HWY 70.
This park is located in Colorado...

Gradually, the "red" landscapes of Utah were replaced by green meadows and fields with houses of farmers.

The Colorado River was flowing on an one side of the road...

Huge herds of cows were grazing on the other side of the road.

We came to a Walmart in some small town and bought food for an evening.

We were driving by the highway 70.

It were a lot of interesting sights along our route.
You can visit the park - "Colorado National Monument"...
*Colorado National Monument*
GPS-coordinates: 39°06'03.3"N, 108°44'04.6"W

You can drive through the park by the beautiful road "Rimrock Drive", admiring the scenery.

Or you can roll on the road 65 and to see the park - "Grand Mesa National Forest".
*Grand Mesa National Forest*
*Grand Mesa scenic byway*
GPS-coordinates: 39°02'22.7"N, 107°59'12.6"W

We went straight on the road, which took about 3 hours.
Near the town of Rifle, we turned onto the road 325 and we entered to "Rifle Falls State Park".
GPS-coordinates: 39°40'25.7"N, 107°42'00.4"W

The park is very small, only 0.19 square kilometers.
It is located near the town of Rifle, and was founded in 1966.
The park is located in a valley, near the "Rifle Creek", next to the cliffs.
Rocks protect the park from cold winds, the creek provides the necessary water.
Therefore, the vegetation is very lush.

But of course, the park is known not for its greenery, it is famous for its waterfall.

The height of the triple waterfall "Rifle Falls" - 21 meters.

The park is very popular for its waterfalls and there is always a lot of people.

There were many families with children, who were swimming in the Rifle Creek, near the waterfall.

There is a small campground with parking in the park
But the place to book very difficult and you need to do it in advance.
Our site was near the Rifle Creek...
Everything were as usual at the camp: a table, a place for fire, a place for tent.

And a iron box for products, although probably there are no the bears in the park.
I think so...

We had put the tent, ate and went for a walk in the park...

Of course, we moved to the waterfall!

Hello, Rifle Falls!

There is a trail to the left of the waterfall, which rises up among the trees.
We used this trail...

When we had climbed high enough, we were on the small site...

The tons of water were falling down near...

The site is located behind the waterfall, it was wet from the spray.
There is even a bench where you can sit.

The small limestone caves are located near the site.
But the caves were damp and cold.

Be careful, snakes and bats can be in the caves.

So, "Rifle Falls Park" - this is a "city" park, where you can spend the weekend with a family.
If you are a tourist and came from far away, then you can have a rest day near the waterfalls and spend the night at the campsite.
And in the morning, after a rest to move further.

We have done so...
We spent the night in a tent under the sound of waterfall, and in the morning we moved to the side of Independence Pass.