Cedar Campground

For those of us living in Colorado, the promise of a refreshing mountain getaway, complete with stunning lake views and convenient amenities, is always a welcome thought. If you're searching for a campground that truly delivers on natural beauty without sacrificing comfort, look no further than Cedar Campground, nestled within the popular Rifle Gap State Park. Situated on the shores of the Rifle Gap Reservoir, this campground offers a picturesque setting where the clear waters meet the dramatic backdrop of surrounding mountains. It’s a place that consistently earns high praise for its "beautiful state park" and "amazing scenery," making it a beloved spot for locals and visitors alike.

Cedar Campground is one of five distinct camping loops within Rifle Gap State Park, each offering its own unique charm. Cedar is particularly noted for its desirable location near the waterfront, providing campers with "awesome views of the lake and surrounding mountains." Whether you’re pulling in a large RV, setting up a family tent, or a smaller trailer, Cedar Campground is designed to accommodate various camping styles with its spacious and often level sites. The combination of easy access to the reservoir for water activities and the comfort of well-maintained facilities makes Cedar a standout choice for a memorable Colorado camping experience. It’s more than just a place to sleep; it’s a destination for relaxation, recreation, and reconnecting with the stunning natural environment that Colorado is so famous for.

Cedar Campground is conveniently located within Rifle Gap State Park, with its address listed as CO-325, Rifle, CO 81650, USA. This places it just a short drive from the town of Rifle on Colorado's scenic Western Slope. The park itself is strategically positioned between the mountains, offering a captivating blend of alpine scenery and sparkling reservoir waters. For those traveling from Denver or other Front Range cities, Rifle Gap State Park is an accessible destination via I-70, providing a straightforward drive to a completely different, yet equally stunning, part of the state.

Accessibility to Cedar Campground is excellent. The main roads leading into Rifle Gap State Park are paved and well-maintained, ensuring a smooth journey for all types of vehicles, from cars pulling trailers to large RVs. Once inside the park, the internal roads leading to Cedar Campground are also well-kept, often paved or compacted gravel, making navigation easy. The campground is designed with spacious sites that can accommodate a range of vehicle sizes, including those up to 48 feet in length for RVs and trailers. This ease of access, combined with its stunning location, means that campers can spend less time worrying about their journey and more time enjoying the beautiful setting. Furthermore, the park's proximity to the town of Rifle ensures that any last-minute supplies or forgotten essentials are just a short drive away, adding to the convenience for locals on a camping trip.

Cedar Campground, as part of Rifle Gap State Park, offers a comprehensive range of services and amenities designed to enhance the camping experience, blending the beauty of nature with essential comforts.

• Spacious Campsites: Sites are typically roomy and level, capable of accommodating tents, trailers, and large RVs. Many are described as having concrete pads.
• Electrical Hookups: A significant number of sites, including those in the Cedar loop, feature electrical hookups (30/50 amp), catering to RV and trailer campers.
• Picnic Tables and Fire Rings: Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table, often with a private shelter for shade, and a fire ring, perfect for evening bonfires and cooking.
• Clean Restroom Facilities: Cedar Campground provides access to clean restroom facilities, including flush toilets and coin-operated showers, a highly appreciated amenity by visitors.
• Water Spigots: Fresh water spigots are conveniently located throughout the campground loops, ensuring easy access to potable water.
• Dump Station: A sanitary dump station is available within Rifle Gap State Park for registered campers, located across from the Cottonwood Campground loop.
• Camp Hosts: Friendly and informative camp hosts are often present, providing assistance and selling firewood.
• Accessibility Features: Some sites are ADA-accessible, ensuring that the park can accommodate visitors with varying needs.

These services collectively contribute to a comfortable and enjoyable camping experience, making Cedar Campground a popular choice for those who appreciate a balance of nature and convenience.

Cedar Campground, within the larger Rifle Gap State Park, is celebrated for numerous features and highlights that draw campers back year after year:

• Lakeside Setting with Stunning Views: Many sites offer incredible, "awesome views of the lake and surrounding mountains," providing a picturesque backdrop for your stay. The reservoir's clear, often turquoise-colored water is a major draw.
• Water Sports Haven: Rifle Gap Reservoir is a hub for water activities, including boating, water skiing, jet skiing, swimming, paddleboarding, windsurfing, and fishing. The park's main attraction is its 360-acre reservoir, perfect for various water-based fun.
• Excellent Fishing: The reservoir is well-stocked with a variety of fish, including rainbow trout, brown trout, pike, bass, and perch, making it a fantastic spot for anglers of all skill levels. Ice fishing is also popular in winter.
• Well-Maintained Facilities: Visitors consistently praise the cleanliness and upkeep of the campground, from the roads and sites to the restrooms and showers.
• Spacious and Private Sites: Campers often highlight the "nice roomy" and "nicely spaced" sites, which provide a good degree of privacy between camping parties. Many sites are also terraced up a slight hill, ensuring lake views.
• Bird Watching Opportunities: The area is home to a diverse array of bird species, providing excellent bird-watching opportunities for nature enthusiasts.
• Year-Round Camping: Rifle Gap State Park, including Cedar Campground, generally offers camping opportunities throughout the year, allowing for both warm-weather water activities and colder-weather tranquility.
• Proximity to Rifle Falls State Park: A short drive away, Rifle Falls State Park offers additional attractions, including spectacular triple waterfalls and further hiking opportunities.

For contact and reservation information for Cedar Campground within Rifle Gap State Park, please use the following:

Address: CO-325, Rifle, CO 81650, USA

Phone: (970) 625-1607 (This is the direct number for Rifle Gap State Park).

For making reservations, which are highly recommended, especially during peak seasons, you can typically do so online through the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) reservation system or by calling the central reservation line for Colorado State Parks. While the provided mobile number +1 970-625-1607 is the same park number, using the general landline is usually sufficient. Remember that a reservation is required to camp at Rifle Gap State Park, and a daily or annual state park pass is also needed for vehicle entry. It's always a good practice to confirm current fees and availability directly with the park office.

Cedar Campground at Rifle Gap State Park truly stands out as an exceptional destination for Colorado locals, offering a perfect blend of recreational opportunities and essential comforts. For us Coloradans, the park's location near Rifle provides a convenient escape from the more densely populated areas, making it ideal for both quick weekend getaways and longer, more immersive vacations. Its setting on the Rifle Gap Reservoir means direct access to a plethora of water activities, from boating and fishing to swimming and paddleboarding, ensuring that there's always something engaging to do, especially during our warm summer months.

Beyond the water, the stunning mountain scenery provides a picturesque backdrop for relaxation and exploration. The consistently praised clean facilities, including restrooms and showers, along with the convenience of electrical hookups at many sites, elevate the camping experience beyond basic roughing it. This makes Cedar Campground particularly appealing to families, RV owners, and anyone who appreciates a well-maintained and comfortable base camp for their outdoor adventures. For those seeking a genuine Colorado experience that combines natural beauty with accessibility and comfort, Cedar Campground at Rifle Gap State Park is a premier choice that consistently delivers. It's a place where local families can create lasting memories, surrounded by the incredible landscapes that define our beloved state.

Cedar Campground

CO-325, Rifle, CO 81650, USA