Conditions at Rifle Gap | Colorado State Parks

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Conditions

Boat Ramps - 2/9/2012

THE BOAT RAMP WILL BE CLOSED staring November 1. Hand launching will be allowed from other parts of the lake. Boat ramp will re-open April 1, 2012.

Boating - 2/9/2012

The lake is open to boating through October 31 only. Starting November 1st only hand launched water craft will be allowed. Water levels fluctuate, watch for hazards.

Camping - 2/9/2012

We are open to camping year-round. Water will be available at the water spigot located on the south side of the shower building in Cottonwood camping loop. We will have one shower open and available in Cottonwood Campground throughout the winter. Otherwise all water will be shut down throughout Rifle Falls and the rest of Rifle Gap beginning November 1st. Lakeview, the park's full hook-up campground, will close for the season Tuesday, November 1st. Vault toilets are open. The dump station is a dry dump - no potable water is available there. Remember, you can now reserve your favorite campsites up to 6 months in advance! Reservations can be made for the time period between May-October.

Construction - 2/9/2012

Improvements are being made at Christo Day Use, still need to put in grills, railings & tables. We are almost finished with the new restrooms building in Cedar Campground between sites 62 & 59.

Fire Restrictions - 2/9/2012

All campfires must be contained in provided campfire rings/grills. Charcoal & propane grills are also allowed. Use common sense when wind is blowing. Firewood is available from a camphost or visitor center for $5 a bundle!

Fishing Report - 2/9/2012

This years Ice Fishing Tournament was won with a 22 5/8" Brown trout. Most anglers are looking for perch (no limit), pike (no limit) or trout (limit 4). It was reported this week that fishing has been slow, but they have been biting. One angler had to leave a rainbow in the lake that wouldn't fit through his 6" augered hole.

Icing Conditions - 2/9/2012

Ice has not yet capped the lake. There is still open water at the eastern end where the inlet is. The western end has as much as 18 inches and the boat ramp area have approximately 9 - 12 inches, the middle of the lake straight out from the boat ramp has 8 inches, Cedar camping area was measured at 8 - 10 inches, Cottonwood 7 inches, directly in front of the dam was 5 inches and closer to open water newly formed ice measured 1.5 - 2 inches. Check back here or call the visitor center for up to date information.

Park Entrance - 2/9/2012

The Park office is generally open 8am-4pm. Please feel free to call prior to visiting to make sure that someone will be available to assist you. Rangers are covering many of the office shifts on weekends, and may have additional responsibilities throughout the park. Our phone number is (970) 625-1607.

Road Conditions - 2/9/2012

The roads throughout the park are open. Please adhere to the 10 mph speed limit in campgrounds and 20 mph speed limit on the remaining roads. The park rangers just got a new radar gun, so please follow the speed limit.

Water Levels - 2/9/2012

It has been very high, we have water still going over the spillway. Starting 1/13/12, water will begin to be diverted to Harvey Gap.

Water Temperature - 2/9/2012

Ice COLD.

Last Updated: 2/9/2012

Last Modified Date: 3/15/2011 3:25 PM