Harvey Gap State Park
State Park in Rifle, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
5775 Highway 325
Rifle, CO 81650
United States
Harvey Gap State Park
State Park in Rifle, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
5775 Highway 325
Rifle, CO 81650
United States
Harvey Gap State Park
Welcome to Harvey Gap State Park
Known for its clean water and shaded picnic sites, Harvey Gap offers hiking, boating, swimming and picnicking at an elevation of 6,400 feet. In the winter, visitors can cross-country ski and ice fish. The Grand Hogback, the ridge that marks the edge of the Rocky Mountains, runs along the south end of the reservoir. Harvey Gap is a day-use area, but overnight camping is available nearby at Rifle Falls State Park and Rifle Gap State Park, which are approximately six miles west of Harvey Gap.
304
acres
160
acre lake
30
picnic sites
Accessing the Park
Directions
From I-70
From I-70 take the exit for Silt. Go 0.1 miles east on Main. Turn north on 7th. 7th will become CR 214 (Peach Valley). Travel 1.2 miles. Turn west on CR233 (Silt Mesa). Travel 1.1 miles. Turn north on CR 237 (Harvey Gap Rd). Travel 3.3 miles to the park entrance.
The Visitor Center located at Rifle Gap State Park also serves Harvey Gap and Rifle Falls State Parks. First aid; public restrooms; a pay phone; gift shop; fishing and boating conditions; boat, OHV and snowmobile registrations; internet access; and exhibits are all available there.
Directions to the Visitor Center
Go north on Harvey Gap Road (County Road 237). Turn left on Grass Valley Road. Turn left again on Hwy 325. Turn right into Rifle Gap State Park.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
The boat ramp is located on the east side of the lake.
For more information on Harvey Gap‘s boat ramps and mandatory boat inspections, see the Park Highlights page. For more statewide boating information visit the CPW Statewide Boating page.
Closures
There are no closures at this time.
Fees and Passes
Pass |
Description |
Duration |
Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Daily Vehicle Pass |
Single vehicle and its occupants |
1 Day |
$10-$12 |
|
Individual Daily Pass |
For individual entry on foot, bicycle, horseback, etc at select parks |
1 Day |
$4 |
|
DMV vehicle registration renewal option for Colorado residents |
12 Months |
$29 |
|
|
Annual Vehicle Pass (Affixed) |
Pass for a single vehicle and its occupants |
12 Months |
$80 |
|
Family Annual Pass (Hang Tag) |
Members of the same household |
12 Months |
$120 |
|
Aspen Leaf Annual Pass |
Colorado residents 64+ |
12 Months |
$70 |
|
Centennial Pass |
Income-eligible Colorado residents |
12 Months |
$14 |
|
Columbine Pass |
Colorado residents with disabilities |
12 Months |
$14 |
|
Veterans License Plate |
DMV vehicle registration renewal option for military veterans (disabled veterans or purple heart plates) |
Lifetime |
Free |
|
Independence Lifetime Pass |
Colorado resident veterans with disabilities |
Lifetime |
Free |
|
Blue Spruce Pass |
Colorado resident first responders with disabilities |
Lifetime |
$10 |
Nature and Wildlife
Waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors and pinyon-juniper woodlands await the nature seeker at Harvey Gap State Park.
Bird, plant and wildlife guides may be available at the Rifle Gap Visitor Center book store. You can also use Harvey Gap State Park's iNaturalist app observations for Android and iPhone. iNaturalist is a free online social network and citizen science platform that allows users to record and share observations of biodiversity. By uploading photos or sounds of wild organisms, you can get help identifying species from a global community of naturalists and even an automated identification tool. Using iNaturalist helps you learn about local nature, connect with other enthusiasts, and most importantly, contribute valuable scientific data to biodiversity research and conservation efforts worldwide.
Be on the Lookout for Birds
Can you spot all the resident and visiting bird species? Download the Bird List Brochure (PDF).
Birds You Might Find
- Common grackle
- Gray catbird
- House sparrow
- American dipper
Birding Tips
- Always view birds and other wildlife from a safe distance.
- Use binoculars or a spotting scope for a closer view.
- Protect young by avoiding nests or dens.
- Help protect birds by using your senses to find them, not recorded calls.
- To see more birds, keep voices and other sounds low.
- Protect plants and wildlife by staying on trails and respecting closures.
- Keep dogs leashed and under control at all times.
- For the best viewing experience, leave pets at home.
- Human food can hurt wildlife - please keep their diets wild.
- Take nothing but pictures - leave what you find for others to enjoy.
Mammals You Might Find
- Cottontail rabbit
- Golder-manteled ground
- Chipmunk
- Mule deer
Learn How to Coexist
View a short video and tips on watching wildlife safely and find important information on crossing paths with wildlife.
Reptiles and Amphibians You Might Find
- Prairie rattlesnake
YOU Can Help!
The park is lacking vital data on amphibian and reptile populations. By logging your reptile and amphibian observations into Harvey Gap State Park's iNaturalist app, you'll help us collect data that's essential for protecting and preserving the Park's natural resources.
Habitats and Plants at This Park
- Utah juniper
- Shadscale
- Western wheatgrass
- Golden aster
History
The original earthen dam at Harvey Gap provides a get-away-from-it-all haven for recreationists.