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Rifle Arch Trail
4.5 ★★★★★ 111 Google reviews · Running trail in Rifle, Colorado · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- 3 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Rifle Arch Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
What runners say about Rifle Arch Trail
“Great trail and beautiful drive out there .”
“Short and easy hike, but the view is amazing!”
Really enjoyed this trail. Started out with an uphill climb, leveled out into a nice walk with lots of wild flowers and good views and ended with more uphill climbing and a scramble to the Arch that occasionally required two hands. I would definitely do this trail again.
Love the nature vibe no human build of anything other than the parking lot and 2 benches. As advice make sure you go on the right trail as walking or biking cause there is a difference. Going up hard going down easy.
This was an awesome hike that I would recommend even if you aren't able to make it all the way to the arch. The hike was moderate to hard in my opinion. My four year old made it all the way to the base of the arch and back, but we took several breaks along the way.
This is a great little 1.5 mile hike (one way) with some boulder scurrying in the final couple hundred feet of ascent. The arch is spectacular and is set in an equally spectacular rock face. A late afternoon hike press the sun shining right into the arch (in the winter).
Trail conditions & character
“Nice views throughout but best is under the arch.”
“Love the nature vibe no human build of anything other than the parking lot and 2 benches.”
“The trail is mostly flat to the base of the arch and then it's a challenging scramble to climb up into the arch.”
Plan your run at Rifle Arch Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- Distance3 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
Running trails near Rifle
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
