Harvey Gap State Park
Harvey Gap State Park
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
44 reviews
Excellent
24
Very good
13
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
3
Darthharvey
Silt, CO359 contributions
Jun 2022
This is in our backyard, but I thought some local knowledge might help people from out of town. This is a lovely state park to fish, kayak, paddle baord, and swim. The water can be a bit brisk, but you get used to it after getting in. The wind picks up in the afternoon so plan to come early or come later in the evening for the best conditions on the water. Later in the summer, the water levels start to drop from irrigating and the mud gets a little smelly, but it's still a the best place to learn how to SUP in western Colorado. High Society Paddle Boards from Aspen films commercials here so come check it out.
Written 20 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Annette H
Huntsville, AL114 contributions
Aug 2012 • Family
Harvey Gap State Park includes a beautiful sporting lake, picnic tables, grills (currently not in use because of a fire restriction) and a roped swimming area. The day we were there we almost had the lake to ourselves and it provided a spot for a quiet picnic. A woman stopped in to take a swim and reported that the bottom was a little silty and difficult to walk in, but that the water was fine. My hubby and son took a short walk up to the overlook for the view and enjoyed the hike.
There's a small fee for using the wilderness park and you can purchase that at the Harvey Gap parking lot (on the honors system) or nearby Rifle Falls or any other CO State Park. The visitors' center and bathrooms for Harvey Gap are at Rifle Falls, which is about six or seven miles away. This park does not allow pets.
There's a small fee for using the wilderness park and you can purchase that at the Harvey Gap parking lot (on the honors system) or nearby Rifle Falls or any other CO State Park. The visitors' center and bathrooms for Harvey Gap are at Rifle Falls, which is about six or seven miles away. This park does not allow pets.
Written 15 August 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mikeW7940CW
Rifle, CO22 contributions
Nov 2017 • Family
This jem of a spot is almost unknown. you can camp for free and at night catch catfish in the 20-40lb range. located near rifle gap reservoir with great trout and pick fishing.
Written 9 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tiburondelnorte
whitewater colorado304 contributions
Oct 2015 • Business
The Park is, of course, centered and all about the reservoir. It's at a somewhat high elevation (6400') -- about 1000' feet higher than the Colorado River valley down and to the south -- but nowhere near as cold as higher reservoirs (e.g., Bleu Mesa, Grand Lake) would be. Every time I go by (when it's warm -- May thru' September, maybe October) there are people in boats fishing, sometimes there are kayakers, people on paddle-boards. The fishing must be above-average as there are usually many fisher-people. A separate roped-off beach/swim area. The Res is good-sized by Colorado standards, would be small in most other states. Maybe 1.25 miles long x 1/2 mile wide.
Written 24 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
drspringer
Illinois48 contributions
Aug 2013 • Couples
We stayed here two nights on our way to San Diego and the site we had overlooking the lake was beautiful, The lake was down quite a bit, maybe 15-20 feet but it was still huge. The swimming area was closed for the season but there were people skiing and fishing on the lake and I did hear dogs barking.
The boat launch is very big and looks nice though I didn't need it. The campsites throughout the park were very nice. We drove up to Rifle Falls to look around and the trails and falls were nice, the campsites here were a little closer together but the sound of the falls would have been nice to sleep to.
A little further up the road was the wilderness area, I recommend going up there if you have a vehicle that can handle it. It was well worth the drive, we made it up to 9000' before we turned back to avoid the cows in the road.
The boat launch is very big and looks nice though I didn't need it. The campsites throughout the park were very nice. We drove up to Rifle Falls to look around and the trails and falls were nice, the campsites here were a little closer together but the sound of the falls would have been nice to sleep to.
A little further up the road was the wilderness area, I recommend going up there if you have a vehicle that can handle it. It was well worth the drive, we made it up to 9000' before we turned back to avoid the cows in the road.
Written 24 September 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Keith M
Cincinnati, OH57 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
Beautiful park. Peaceful. Water crisp and clean. Little waterfalls across the lake at an inlet. Great place to bring a kayak.
Written 25 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nina L
Louisiana101 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
We stopped here overnight when passing through. It is just O.K. We had a great spot overlooking the resiviour, tried a little fishing with no luck. The plus side it is a nice quiet campground, very clean, with nice bathrooms with showers. The down side, there are no trees and the ground is covered with biting ants. Not much to do unless you bring a boat.
Written 20 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JoeyRifle
Rifle20 contributions
Jul 2017
It's nothing pompous, but this is my all time favorite place to spend a sunny day on my paddleboard. It's a no-wake lake, which makes it perfect for kayakers and paddlers. The water is beautiful and clear. The swimming area is quite muddied because of so many people stirring up the bottom, but out in the middle it is pristine. A beautiful, quiet place to hang out with friends. The shore line has some trees, but no sand. Wear water shoes and be prepared for a wind storm around 2:00 or 3:00 pm.
Written 11 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kimberly G
5 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
We live about 5 miles from Harvey Gap and are so blessed to have this local gem to call our own. My husband and I took up kayaking this summer and have spent virtually every evening cruising around the lake, drinking in the beauty and enjoying the sunsets.
The Gap is great for family outings, light fishing, and just hanging out. There is a designated swimming area that is great for kids, with picnic tables and fire pits. The lake allows small motor boats but is really great for paddle boards, kayak's and canoes.
The Gap is great for family outings, light fishing, and just hanging out. There is a designated swimming area that is great for kids, with picnic tables and fire pits. The lake allows small motor boats but is really great for paddle boards, kayak's and canoes.
Written 12 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helen C
Glasgow, United Kingdom26 contributions
Jun 2016 • Couples
Climbing at Rifle Canyon in June/July is bloomin' hot.
Harvey Gap Lake was on the way back to our accommodation and provided the best cool spot for a refreshing dip. With plenty of space to pull in and very few, if any other people there - we enjoyed the fresh water after a couple of days climbings.
The edge is a silty, so looks murky at first, but you quickly get into the turquoise waters and have the benefit of relatively few rocks.
We also enjoyed watching a very active eagle whilst swimming. Great to see.
Harvey Gap Lake was on the way back to our accommodation and provided the best cool spot for a refreshing dip. With plenty of space to pull in and very few, if any other people there - we enjoyed the fresh water after a couple of days climbings.
The edge is a silty, so looks murky at first, but you quickly get into the turquoise waters and have the benefit of relatively few rocks.
We also enjoyed watching a very active eagle whilst swimming. Great to see.
Written 16 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah C
Northglenn, Colorado
Looking for a nearby place to rent kayaks to take to Harvey & Rifle gaps while visiting. I'm having a hard time finding any. Suggestions?
Written 17 May 2020
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