River Stop
The River’s Story Up Close
Step inside River Stop for a hands-on look at the plants, wildlife, and water that make up the Middle Colorado River, right in the heart of Rifle.
River Stop is open to visitors of all ages, no appointment necessary for individual and family visits. Stop by to explore the exhibits at your own pace, or schedule a group tour for a guided experience.
Location: 200 Lion's Park Circle, Rifle CO 81650
Open to All, No Appointment Needed
Plan Your Visit
What You’ll Learn
Inside a Living River System
From the smallest invertebrates to the birds overhead, River Stop’s exhibits cover the full picture of a healthy river system, and what it takes to keep it that way.
Riparian Habitat
The plants, animals, and ecological processes that define the river corridor.
Aquatic Invertebrates
Macroinvertebrates as indicators of water quality and as food sources for fish, birds, and mammals.
Water-dependent Wildlife
Eagles, herons, and the dozens of bird and mammal species that depend on the Colorado River corridor.
Native & Invasive Species
The native fish and plants that have shaped this watershed, and the invasive species threatening them.
River Morphology
How rivers move, change, and shape the land — including a hands-on stream table that simulates real river processes.
Water Quality & Supply
Where your water comes from, what threatens it, and what MCWC and its partners are doing to protect it.
Featured Exhibits
Inside River Stop
Interpretive designers worked with MCWC and community experts to create modern, timeless displays that bring the watershed into the building.
Cottonwood Tree
An anchor exhibit exploring the role of riparian cottonwood ecosystems in the Middle Colorado corridor.
Riparian Habitat
Interactive displays illustrating the rich ecology of the river banks — from insects to eagles.
River Introduction
An orientation to the Middle Colorado — where it comes from, where it goes, and why it matters.
The History of River Stop
How River Stop Came to Be
What started as an unused highway rest stop has become one of the region's only dedicated Colorado River interpretive centers — built through community collaboration, grant funding, and years of sustained partnership.
2017
The City of Rifle Donates the Building
The unused I-70 Rifle rest stop was donated to MCWC. Part became office space; the other section was reimagined as a community interpretive center.
2018 – 2019
Community-led Design Process
MCWC engaged science teachers, wildlife ecologists, environmental educators, and park rangers to shape the content. Interpretive designers built the exhibits.
November 2019
River Stop Opens
Colorado Parks & Wildlife began providing educational programming and interpretive tours, maintaining a full-time presence through September 2020.
2020 – 2024
Programming Grows Despite COVID
MCWC and CPW partnered with local school districts, Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops, and city recreation departments to hold more than 40 scheduled small group events focused on Colorado River ecosystems.
2024
Stream Table Installed
Funding from the MAKI Foundation, Colorado Basin Roundtable PEPO grant, and Western Colorado Community Foundation allowed MCWC to purchase and install an EM2 stream table — a hands-on teaching tool that can also travel to schools and events.
Funding & Support
Made Possible by Our Funders
Riverstop was built through a combination of grant funding, private and corporate donors, and in-kind contributions. MCWC is grateful to every organization and individual who made it possible.
New EM2 Stream Table will be set up on site at the River Stop. The table is small enough to take to schools and events for teaching opportunities.
Eagles, herons and multiple bird species are important part of the river environment.
Macroinvertebrates contribute to fish, fowl and mammal diets in the watershed.
Schedule a Group Tour
Bring your class, troop, or community group to River Stop for a guided, hands-on look at the Middle Colorado watershed.