Overshadowed by a field of heavyweights in Colorado's northwest, such as Grand Junction, Glenwood Springs and Steamboat Springs, Rifle Falls State Park must have grabbed someone's attention, earning a spot among the top ten waterfalls in the West. About 12 miles north of I-70 and the town of Rifle, waterfall fans will find a triple waterfall that drops 70 feet, putting on a photogenic display. A paved path leads out to the base of the trio, keeping the area moist with a waterfall mist. The Coyote Trail leads around to the top of the falls and the park's caves.
   Amateur spelunkers find the park's limestone caves another place to hone their new exploration skills. This small park, hanging on the edge of the White River National Forest, lays out the welcome mat offering picnic sites, creek-side camping, hiking and biking trails, and excellent trout fishing above the falls area in Rifle Creek.
   A sister park, Rifle Gap State Park, provides plenty of water recreation fun on a 350 acre reservoir. Here, the long, narrow lake provides enough space for swimming, boating and fishing.

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