Rifle Mountain Park is a city park located 20 miles north of the city of Rifle. Please make sure you understand the RMP rules of conduct before visiting Rifle.
FROM THE TOWN OF RIFLE
Drive North on Hwy 13 and then on Rd 325 and follow signs to get to Rifle Gap Reservoir, Rifle Falls State Park and State Fish Hatchery. After passing the latter, the paved road ends and a beaten road leads to Rifle Mountain Park which is about a mile from Fish Hatchery.
FROM NEWCASTLE
Most climbers coming from East get out of I-70 at Newcastle (exit 105). If you are doing it for the first time, just drive straight North at the stop sign after the exit on Castle Valley Blvd that by-passes the center of town and continue to Bufford Rd going North-West from Newcastle. Bufford Rd is also marked as Road 245 and it follows a valley where you should see grazing sheep. Do not make turns, continue always on the main road that becomes Road 226 also called Grass Valley Rd. This road leads to Road 325 described above, turn right at the junction and continue for about 5 miles to Rifle Mountain Park. If you are getting there for the first time look at a map (see below) so it makes more sense.
FROM THE PARK ENTRANCE
Entrance to the canyon is just past the Rifle Fish Hatchery. After entering the park, you will be driving through the south part (lower half) of the canyon. This area is under control of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and climbing is prohibited.
The north part of the canyon (the upper half of the canyon) is open to climbing. It is the property of the city of Rifle, and it is maintained and managed by the city’s Parks and Recreation department. Please purchase a a day or season pass, and display it on your vehicle. Park only at designated pull-outs. There is no overnight camping is permitted in the canyon.
CAMPGROUND
At the North end of the proper, rocky part of the canyon, about 1 mile from the entrance to RMP, the valley gets wider and there’s a campground managed by city’s Park and Recreation. Camping only at designated sites!
White River National Forest: The campground borders with National Forest, the main road leads to high mesas, forests and lakes. National Forest access rules apply.
Rifle Climbers 