Round Trip Distance: 1 mile
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 5290 - 5295 feet
Cellphone: 3-5 bars
Time: 1 hr.
Trailhead: Rifle Visitor Center
Fee: none
Attractions: Picnic area, fishing
View Rifle Pond in a larger map
The Lions Pond trail is located near the Visitor Center along Interstate 70 in Rifle, Colorado. The area as a whole is called the Lion's Park. Lions Pond shows up in a brochure they handout in the Visitor Center of 10 hikes in and around the town of Rifle. The pond is a gravel pit that was created in the early 70's when the interstate was being built. Before that time there was a large open area here where they held the annual Easter egg hunt and closer to the old river bridge was the location of the Calwell Honey Company.
The Visitor Center has flush toilets that are open 24 hours per day. When the Visitor Center itself is open they offer free coffee and lots of free information.
The trail forms a loop around the pond and can be hiked in either direction.
The trail around the north end of the pond that faces the Visitor Center is paved and wheelchair accessible.
Two wheelchair accessible fishing piers can be reached via the paved trail.
The rest of the main trail around the pond is a gravel road. Most of the bank area can also be reached by sections of single track trails. The Colorado River is only a few hundred feet away from the west side of the pond. Several side trails connect the two.
A few interpretive kiosks provide interesting details of the local habitat. This sign mentions that the pond is stocked with largemouth bass, green sunfish, and rainbow trout.
The ponds setting is peaceful enough that the busy traffic on the interstate goes pretty much unnoticed.
The Lions Park is equipped with picnic tables making this a good venue for a family outing. Here is a link to the 10 hikes and mountain bike trails in the Rifle area recommended by the Rifle Chamber of Commerce. We have already posted half of them, plus a few others that we have found in the area, and will add the rest as we get to them. Maybe the Lions Pond is just the sort of hike that appeals to you. If you would like to see it for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.
