Rio Blanco County: Rock Art, Museums and Landscapes

Canyon Pintado National Historic District encompasses more than 16,000 acres of public land along 15 miles of State Highway 139 and features ancient Native American rock art. Here, expansive landscapes meet tangible evidence of human history—a striking introduction to the cultural side of Rio Blanco County.

Historic Sites and Culture

In Meeker, the Historic District, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2019, includes all or parts of eleven blocks in the historic downtown. St. James Episcopal Church was built in 1890 and was the town’s first church. The White River Museum presents the history and treasures of the White River Valley in roughly hewn log cabins.

The museum is located at 565 Park Street, behind the red flagstone Rio Blanco County Courthouse building and one block from downtown Meeker. It is open daily year-round: from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from mid-April through the end of November, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in winter. Checking the opening hours before your visit can help you plan your day. The 1906 Yellow Creek Schoolhouse also offers a glimpse into the past: it is representative of rural schools in Rio Blanco County in the first half of the 20th century.

In Rangely, the Rangely Outdoor Museum preserves the history, archaeology, zoology, and ethnology of the town and surrounding region. Its focus areas include Indigenous peoples and prehistory, pioneers and ranching, and the development of energy resources. Fossils, dinosaur bones, old drilling rigs, and artifacts from the coal and petroleum industries bring these topics to life. The Rangely Auto Museum includes a Pierce motorcycle manufactured between 1909 and 1912; reportedly, only twelve of these motorcycles remain worldwide.

Contemporary cultural venues are also part of the picture: The 60-foot-tall water tank The TANK in Rangely was converted into a recording studio and concert venue and is open to the public and visiting artists. In Meeker, the Range Call Festival has been held since 1938 to celebrate Western heritage. The recurring Fourth of July program includes a parade, rodeos, fireworks, food, music, and dancing. If you plan to attend the festival, check the current event dates.

Landscapes, River, and Seasons

The Piceance-East Douglas Herd Management Area in Rio Blanco County encompasses rolling hills, pinyon-juniper forests, sagebrush communities, and rugged high-desert terrain. The Piceance SWA is home to deer, grouse, mountain lions, elk, and cottontail rabbits, among other wildlife. Different vegetation characterizes the Oak Ridge SWA, where sagebrush, oak brush, and aspen are found, along with pines and junipers on the hillsides.

The Flat Tops Wilderness Area is near Meeker. The 230,830-acre area features landscapes, wildlife, lakes, rivers, trails, and campgrounds. More than 160 miles of trails are available for hiking, camping, horseback riding, hunting, and fishing. The White River also offers a connection with nature: it is a trout fishery with brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout, and cutthroat trout. The river is accessible at Town Park in Meeker, where visitors can walk along the river trail.

Special conditions apply on the Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway in winter. From the Lost Creek Trailhead, the route is accessible to snowmobilers and cross-country skiers via groomed trails and snowfields. Beyond Lost Creek, it is not maintained and can only be accessed on snow. Another option is the 2.2-mile Marvine Snow Trail, which leads to a warming shelter maintained by local residents.

Outdoor Activities

Kenney Reservoir offers opportunities for waterskiing, diving, swimming, boating, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding on calm water. The reservoir also has a marina, campgrounds, and wildlife viewing areas. On land, Rangely Rock Crawling Park caters to a different interest: it is Colorado’s only designated natural park for rock crawling. Its natural terrain covers more than 560 acres and is designated by the Bureau of Land Management as an off-highway vehicle park.

Colorow Mountain SWA offers camping in primitive, undeveloped areas; the rules for the designated area apply. Those looking to fit in a round of golf will find Cedar Ridges Golf Course in Rangely, a public 9-hole course with a par of 36. Alongside culture and landscapes, there are also a variety of activities to choose from when planning your day.

If you’re looking for a hotel in Rio Blanco County, you can choose your base according to the sights you plan to visit. Meeker combines historic town attractions with the White River at Town Park; Rangely offers a different focus with its museums and rock crawling park.

Discover more destinations: Rangely, Meeker, San Juan County, Grand, Cheyenne County, Summit, Montrose County, Pueblo.

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