Rifle Falls is a waterfall in Garfield County, Colorado, about 9.2 miles north of Silt. This guide covers what to check, bring and expect before you go, using visitor ratings, official USGS records and live conditions for this exact location.
At a glance
- Location
- Garfield County, CO
- Nearest town
- Silt (9.2 mi)
- Visitor rating
- 4.8 from 53 reviews
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Coordinates
- 39.67775, -107.69866
- USGS topo
- Rifle Falls quad
Weather at Rifle Falls
Full NWS forecastForecast for the waterfall's exact location, not the nearest town. Mountain weather can change quickly.
Loading the forecast...
Source: National Weather Service.
Conditions at Rifle Falls
Sun and Daylight Today
- Sunrise
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- Sunset
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- Daylight
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- Golden hour
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Times in Denver time. Canyons and steep valleys lose direct sun earlier.
Elevation
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At the mapped waterfall point, from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Expect cooler temperatures than in nearby towns at lower elevation.
Nearest Stream Gauge
Checking for USGS gauges within about 8 miles...
Live discharge in cubic feet per second (ft³/s). The gauge may be on a different stream than the falls; use the trend as a rough guide to how much water is running in the area.
Getting there
Rifle Falls sits about 9.2 miles north of Silt in Garfield County. Navigate to the coordinates 39.67775, -107.69866, which mark the waterfall itself; the trailhead or parking area may be some distance away.
Open directions in Google Maps or Apple Maps, or view the map on the Rifle Falls listing. Navigation apps sometimes route onto seasonal forest roads, so check road status if you are heading into the mountains.
Most Colorado falls are on federal land: Rocky Mountain National Park, plus national forests such as Arapaho-Roosevelt, Pike-San Isabel, San Juan, Rio Grande and White River. Rifle Falls is in a state park, and Helen Hunt Falls is in a city park in Colorado Springs. Rocky Mountain National Park has used timed-entry reservations in busy seasons, so check current requirements before going. Popular trailheads fill early, and some cities and parks run shuttles. Altitude is a real factor: trails often start above 8,000 feet, and visitors from low elevations tire quickly. Snowmelt creeks are icy cold and fast, and spray-coated rock near falls stays slick. Lightning is the most serious summer hazard above treeline, and some high access roads require high-clearance vehicles or open only in summer.
What to bring
This checklist is tailored to Rifle Falls based on what visitors report and the conditions typical of Colorado. For the complete list, see our waterfall hike packing guide.
- Offline map and coordinates. Save 39.67775, -107.69866 and download offline maps; cell service is often weak near waterfalls.
- Shoes with real grip. Rock near falling water stays wet and slick even in dry weather.
- Water and a snack. More than you think you need, even for a short walk.
- A light rain layer. Spray from the falls and quick-moving showers can soak you.
- Camera and a small tripod. Visitors have shared 244 photos of it; a tripod lets you shoot silky water in low light.
- Headlamp. In case your visit runs later than planned; check sunset time in the conditions panel above.
How to prepare
Timing
Snowmelt sets the calendar. Lower falls along the foothills, like Helen Hunt Falls, often peak in May, while high-country falls in Rocky Mountain National Park and the San Juans usually run strongest from early June into early July, after the main melt reaches the upper basins. By late August many smaller falls thin noticeably, though larger creeks keep running. July and August also bring an afternoon monsoon pattern, with lightning on exposed ridges and brief downpours, so early starts are the norm. Late September adds golden aspens to the scenery with lower flows. In winter, several falls freeze into ice formations, and some high roads and trailheads are not plowed. Weekends in summer bring heavy crowds to the Front Range and Telluride. 53 Google reviews suggest steady but manageable traffic outside peak weekends.
Safety
Stay behind railings and off wet rock, never climb on the falls, and keep children within arm's reach near the water. Check the weather panel above for flood or storm alerts before you set out; water levels can rise fast after upstream rain. Our waterfall safety guide covers the most common hazards.
Respect the place
Pack out everything you bring, stay on established paths to limit erosion, and leave rocks and plants where they are. See Leave No Trace at waterfalls.
What visitors say
Rifle Falls holds a 4.8-star average across 53 Google reviews, and 81% of reviewers give it five stars. That makes it the most reviewed waterfall in Garfield County. Visitors have shared 244 photos.
See the rating breakdown or read reviews on Google.
History of the area
Rifle Falls was entered in the Geographic Names Information System on October 13, 1978, and it appears on the USGS Rifle Falls 7.5-minute topographic map.
Western Slope Plateaus and Valleys. West of the Divide, waterfalls appear where streams cut through plateau edges and limestone. Rifle Falls in Garfield County is notable for a triple waterfall pouring over a travertine ledge, with small caves in the porous rock nearby, and Garfield County holds several other falls in the canyons near Parachute and Glenwood Springs. In Routt County, Fish Creek Falls drops into a forested canyon just outside Steamboat Springs, with upper and lower sections. Moffat County's falls lie in remote canyon country in the state's northwest corner. Resort valleys around Aspen, Vail and Crested Butte contribute a few more, mostly reached by short trails from summer trailheads.
Nearby waterfalls to add to your trip
More around here: waterfalls near Silt · Garfield County waterfalls · all Colorado waterfalls · 15 Best Waterfalls in Colorado
Frequently asked questions
Where is Rifle Falls?
Rifle Falls is in Garfield County, Colorado, about 9.2 miles north of Silt. Its coordinates are 39.67775, -107.69866.
Is Rifle Falls crowded?
53 Google reviews suggest steady but manageable traffic outside peak weekends.
What should I bring to Rifle Falls?
At minimum: offline map and coordinates, shoes with real grip, water and a snack, and a light rain layer. See the full checklist above, which is tailored to what visitors report about this waterfall.
When is the best time to visit Rifle Falls?
Snowmelt sets the calendar. Lower falls along the foothills, like Helen Hunt Falls, often peak in May, while high-country falls in Rocky Mountain National Park and the San Juans usually run strongest from early June into early July, after the main melt reaches the upper basins.
Do I need a permit or pay a fee to visit Rifle Falls?
Fees and permits depend on who manages the land. Check with the managing agency before you go. Our Colorado waterfalls page covers access in the state.
Summary
Rifle Falls about 9.2 miles north of Silt is rated 4.8 out of 5 by 53 visitors. Check the live forecast and stream gauge above, save the coordinates for offline use, and pack for wet, uneven ground. Ratings, hours and access can change, so confirm conditions with the land manager before you drive out.
See the full Rifle Falls listing for the map, photos and nearby landmarks.