Discover Garfield: Nature, Water and Culture

Alpine panoramas, waterfalls, reservoirs and caves shape the travel experience in Garfield County. There are also opportunities for hiking, cycling and water activities, as well as cultural offerings in Rifle and Glenwood Springs. You can choose which side of the region to explore based on your interests.

Landscape and Outdoor Activities

The landscape of Garfield County ranges from rugged alpine panoramas to high mountain deserts along the Continental Divide. The Flattops Wilderness is the second-largest designated wilderness area in Colorado. About 60 percent of the county is federally owned and part of the federal public lands.

Activities in the county include hunting, fishing, hiking, rafting, kayaking, cycling, skiing and snowboarding. Specific conditions and providers vary by activity. The Red Hill Special Recreation Management Area near Carbondale is managed primarily for mountain biking and hiking. Parking and seasonal conditions may change; check them before making plans.

For those looking to include a challenging hike, the Hanging Lake Trail offers specific details for the trip: it is 1.2 miles (1.9 kilometers) long, gains 1,200 feet (366 meters) in elevation, and is steep, challenging and rocky. These details give the trail a very different profile from the county’s general hiking opportunities.

Water, Rocks and Wildlife

At Rifle Falls State Park, lush vegetation and waterfalls meet limestone caves that attract cavers and other explorers. In the park, East Rifle Creek flows over a travertine barrier made of calcium carbonate.

The 360-acre reservoir at Rifle Gap State Park is suitable for boating, fishing, swimming, water skiing and windsurfing. Access to the water may vary depending on conditions. The reservoir is visited by waterfowl and birds of prey; mammals found there or nearby include mule deer, elk, ground squirrels and occasional beavers. Rifle Gap lies on the edge of the White River Plateau, where fossils of leaves, fish and shellfish can be found.

Geothermal waters also offer a special connection with nature: aquatic species adapted to extreme environmental conditions live in the hot spring water at Iron Mountain Hot Springs. Yampah Spring produces more than 3.5 million gallons of mineral water each day at a temperature of 122 °F.

Culture and Unique Experiences

In Glenwood Springs, nature-themed experiences come together with caves and local history. A 2024 description mentions a ride on the Glenwood Gondola and guided tours through King’s Row or the Historic Fairy Caves at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. As offerings may change, check what is currently available before visiting. The Glenwood Springs Historical Society also provides brochures for self-guided walking tours that explore the city’s Western history.

Every October, the Glenwood Springs Historical Society and the Frontier Museum host a Ghost Walk through Linwood Cemetery. If you would like to include this walk in your plans, check the specific event date. In Rifle, the Rifle Heritage Center is the largest museum in Garfield County. The Ute is available for public concerts, performances and films.

Garfield can be explored in ways that suit different travel interests: the landscape and designated outdoor activities offer opportunities to get active, while waterfalls, geology and wildlife introduce further nature themes. Museums, walking tours and events add history and culture to the experience. Choose your trip’s focus based on which of these aspects interests you most.

Discover more destinations: Rifle, Parachute, Silt, New Castle, Glenwood Springs, Dolores County, Alamosa County, Arapahoe.

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