Updated July 2026
Rifle Falls
Colorado's only triple waterfall, where East Rifle Creek splits over a 70-foot travertine dam into three segmented drops, with caves to explore behind the falls.
Before you go
Waterfalls are hazardous by nature — wet rock, cold water, and unstable edges — and flow varies enormously with season and recent rain. Trail figures here describe the route as documented, not conditions today. Check Rifle Falls State Park (Colorado Parks and Wildlife) for closures and current conditions, and confirm land status before setting out.
Graded lakes within 25 miles
- CRifle Gap Reservoir · Garfield County · 4.7 mi
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Frequently Asked Questions
Rifle Falls drops about 70 feet. That makes it the 317th-tallest documented waterfall in this inventory, taller than roughly 53% of the falls listed here. Height comes from published land-manager and survey records, not from our own measurement.
The Coyote Trail reaches it about 0.5 miles (loop) with roughly 60 feet of elevation gain, rated easy. The nearest town is Rifle. That describes the route as documented, not conditions on the day — check with Rifle Falls State Park (Colorado Parks and Wildlife) for closures and current conditions.
Spring to early summer (May-Jun). Waterfall flow swings enormously with snowmelt and recent rain, so a fall that roars in spring can be a trickle by late summer.
More Colorado waterfalls
- Adams Falls · 55 ft
- Alberta Falls · 30 ft
- Bear Creek Falls
- Booth Falls · 60 ft
- Box Canyon Falls · 285 ft
- Bridal Veil Falls · 365 ft
- Bridal Veil Falls (Hanging Lake)
- Cascade Falls (Ouray) · 270 ft
Sources
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