The best walks and hikes in Garfield County

Garfield County, Colorado, offers a wide variety of hiking experiences. Our guide features 5 curated routes, ranging from easy strolls to challenging backcountry excursions. The region as a whole boasts over 45 hiking trails, catering to all skill levels.

Yes, Garfield County has several easy and family-friendly options. The Wawawai County Park Interpretive Trail is an easy route featured in this guide. Additionally, the Rifle Falls Coyote Trail within Rifle Falls State Park is a short, easy walk leading to the spectacular triple waterfall and limestone caves, perfect for families. The Rio Grande Trail also offers an easy grade suitable for various users.

For breathtaking waterfalls, head to Rifle Falls State Park, home to Colorado's only 80-foot triple waterfall. The Rifle Falls Coyote Trail is an easy hike within the park that leads directly to this natural wonder. The popular Hanging Lake Trail also features stunning waterfalls, though it requires a permit for access.

Absolutely. For those seeking a challenge, our guide includes the Diamond Peak via Tucannon and Bear Creek Trails and the Panjab Loop Trail, both rated as difficult. The Devil's Causeway in the Flat Tops Wilderness Area offers a more adventurous, moderate-to-difficult experience with a narrow land bridge and alpine views. The Mt. Garfield Trail also provides a strenuous ascent with spectacular panoramic views.

Garfield County is rich in unique geological formations. Beyond the triple waterfalls at Rifle Falls State Park, you can explore the stunning sandstone formation of Rifle Arch via the Rifle Arch Trail. Another distinctive feature is Mushroom Rock. The region also boasts dramatic red rock canyons and expansive mountain vistas throughout the White River National Forest and Flat Tops Wilderness Area.

Yes, for those who prefer loop trails, the Panjab Loop Trail is a difficult circular route featured in this guide. The Rifle Falls Coyote Trail is also an easy loop within Rifle Falls State Park, perfect for exploring the waterfalls and caves.

The best time for hiking in Garfield County generally spans from late spring through early fall (May to October), when temperatures are pleasant and trails are mostly clear of snow. However, lower elevation trails like the Rifle Arch Trail can be enjoyed year-round. For higher alpine routes in areas like the Flat Tops Wilderness, summer is ideal.

Many trails in Garfield County are dog-friendly, especially those within the White River National Forest and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands, provided dogs are kept on a leash. Always check specific park or wilderness area regulations before heading out. For example, the Rio Grande Trail is generally dog-friendly.

Yes, several trails offer substantial elevation gain. The Diamond Peak via Tucannon and Bear Creek Trails features over 940 meters of ascent. The Red Mountain trail near Glenwood Springs also provides significant elevation gain, rewarding hikers with panoramic views. The Storm King Mountain Memorial Trail, while easy in overall difficulty, includes nearly 1,000 feet of elevation gain.

Hikers in Garfield County can expect incredibly diverse and scenic views. These include dramatic red rock canyons, expansive mountain vistas, lush river valleys along the Colorado River, and alpine scenery in areas like the Flat Tops Wilderness. Trails like the Rifle Arch Trail offer views of the Colorado River Valley with Mamm Peaks in the background, while the Mt. Garfield Trail provides spectacular views of Palisade and the Grand Valley.

Yes, the Colorado River flows through Garfield County, offering numerous riverside paths. The Rio Grande Trail is a prime example, extending for 44 miles and providing scenic riverside views and mountain scenery with an easy grade, making it perfect for a leisurely walk or bike ride alongside the river.