Rated as No. 17 among Outdoor Life Magazine's top 200 towns for outdoor enthusiasts, the city of Rifle, Colorado, nestles into the White River National Forest at the base of the Roan Plateau. Get ready for pretty scenery and a close connection to Mother Nature!
Rifle's 4
Rated as No. 17 among Outdoor Life Magazine's top 200 towns for outdoor enthusiasts, the city of Rifle, Colorado, nestles into the White River National Forest at the base of the Roan Plateau. Get ready for pretty scenery and a close connection to Mother Nature!
Rifle's 4.3 square miles are home to about 10,000 people, who enjoy the scenery and outdoor opportunities Rifle has to offer. The population swells to nearly double when visitors flock to the region to view autumn foliage, raft the Colorado River during spring melt, or explore forest trails during the warm months. This outdoor paradise began its journey as a humble farming community in the fertile valley where several creeks flow into the Colorado River, but Rifle is far from a sleepy town today. The city is home to the country's most extensive community-owned solar array, consisting of more than 3,500 panels producing over 1,500 megawatt-hours of energy. Grand River Hospital is nationally recognized for cutting-edge technology and was among the first to provide breakthrough procedures such as 3D digital mammography. Although the city has a historic downtown and a rural ambiance, it's home to stores and restaurants with nationally recognized names and a significant amount of newly-constructed housing.
Moving to Rifle
Several property management companies have their finger on the pulse of the rentals homes in Rifle. It is sometimes advantageous to pre-apply with a property management company, so when the ideal rental home comes available you can move rapidly ahead in securing your new home for rent. Be prepared to provide two forms of identification, proof of income, and positive rental references when you apply.
Autumn has the best weather for moving, not to mention the beautiful backdrop of yellow aspen on the nearby mountains. Daytime temperatures remain in the 70s into early November and the weather is usually clear and dry. The first snow usually arrives in late November, with the heaviest snowfall coming during late January through early March. Strong spring winds make moving large pieces of furniture or artwork challenging from March through May. If you plan to move during the summer, keep in mind that afternoon storms with heavy rain are common during July and August, so you'll want to move early in the day.
Rifle Neighborhoods
There are roughly three different main areas in Rifle, so be prepared to search each thoroughly on your hunt for rental property.
Rifle City Center: Rifle's City Center neighborhood lies on the eastern end of the city just north of Interstate 70. Three- and four-bedroom homes on grassy lots with mature trees surround Rifle's historic downtown. Find apartments to rent in small, privately-owned complexes and duplexes throughout the neighborhood.
West Rifle: The western end of Rifle has several public parks, a trio of creeks, and Fravert Reservoir. Businesses along Railroad Avenue provide shopping, dining, and public services. Small, privately owned complexes have one-bedroom apartments for rent in this neighborhood.
South Rifle: Located south of Interstate 70 and the Colorado River, Rifle's southernmost neighborhood has homes for rent with metropolitan and rural ambiances within a few blocks of one another. The area is home to Rifle's airport, medical facilities, and large shopping complexes. To the south of the commercial area, single-family homes on large lots provide an opportunity to find rental homes with a country feel.
Top Apartments in Rifle
Eagle's Nest Apartments: Just west of Joyce Park, this complex has three-bedroom apartments for rent and backs up to a grassy hill surrounded by wide-open space.
White River Village Townhomes: This complex rents units ranging from two to four bedrooms. Centennial Extended Stay Suites is another complex in the South part of Rifle and has one- and two-bedroom units fully furnished with utilities included.
Living in Rifle
Rifle residents enjoy a wide variety of public spaces and natural areas to enjoy the scenic Rocky Mountains. Rifle Falls State Park on the north end of the city has a triple waterfall concealing limestone caves to explore. Campsites and picnic areas have electrical outlets, and backcountry adventurers can pitch a tent at a hike-in site. Rifle Mountain Park has more than 250 bolted rock climbing routes, including several suitable for beginners. Take a hike along the park's trails and enjoy camping at a primitive campsite. Each of the city's parks has its own unique amenities. Play basketball, softball, or horseshoes, romp at playgrounds, and relax at picnic areas. Beat the heat from Memorial Day through Labor Day at the Art Dague Pool and Water Slide or practice your swing at the batting cages. Water enthusiasts can access the Colorado River just south of the interstate for kayaking, rafting, fly-fishing, and other water sports. The river takes on a calm nature through town, but you'll find challenging whitewater rapids within a few miles of Rifle. The White River National Forest surrounds the city, where you can enjoy trails suitable for ATV riding, mountain biking, and equestrian use. Winter doesn't keep Rifle residents indoors. Go ice climbing in Rifle Mountain Park, head into the forest on a snowmobile, or hike to the Koper's Trail ice caves. Rifle residents love to get out and get moving!
