About Curecanti
Three reservoirs and surrounding lands make up this recreation area in western Colorado. It is a landscape of tradeoffs; natural and human made features exist together. Geologic wonders are abundant from the sagebrush shrublands to forests. Visitors can experience the park year-round on both land and water.
From the National Park Service.
- Region
- Southwest
- State
- Colorado
- Designation
- National Recreation Area
- Entrance fee
- None listed
- Trail data for this park is still being added.
- Places for this park are still being added.
Know before you go
Fees, hours, weather and getting to Curecanti.
Entrance fees
The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for this park.
Hours
Open 24 hours a day, every day.
Open 24 hours per day, 365 days a year.
Weather and when to go
During spring and fall, temperatures range from 44°F to 70°F (7°C to 34°C) with overnight lows from the teens to about freezing (-9°C to 2°C). In summer, temperatures are usually in the 70°F to 80°F (21°C to 27°C). Nights are usually 40°F to 50°F (4°C to 10°C). The wind often picks up at 12 pm and continues through the afternoon. Thunderstorms are common. In winter, temperatures usually reach 20°F to 30°F (-7°C to -1°C) and lows often dip below zero (-18°C).
Getting there
Curecanti is located between the Colorado towns of Gunnison (to the east), Montrose (to the west), and Lake City (to the south). The West Elk Mountain Wilderness area borders Curecanti to the north. U.S. Highway 50 runs the length of Curecanti east to west.
Contact the park
- Address
- 102 Elk Creek, Gunnison, CO 81230
- Phone
- (970) 641-2337
- cure_info@nps.gov
- Official site
- nps.gov/cure
From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.
Trip planner
A day-by-day plan for Curecanti
Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.
The trails and places you save below go into your plan as must-sees.
Plan your park trip Free. No account needed.
Things to do in Curecanti
The park service's own list, with how long each takes.
-
Hike Curecanti Creek Trail
After descending from the high rim of the Upper Black Canyon of the Gunnison, the trail follows Curecanti Creek as it descends toward Morrow Point Reservoir.
-
Hike Pine Creek Trail
This trail follows Pine Creek as it cascades into the depths of the upper Black Canyon to Morrow Point Reservoir. It follows the old narrow gauge railroad bed along the reservoir.
-
Boat on Morrow Point Reservoir
For the more adventurous, Morrow Point Reservoir is a great location for canoeing or kayaking. The easiest access to launch hand-carried craft is via the Pine Creek Trail.
-
Boat on Crystal Reservoir
Crystal Reservoir provides backcountry flatwater boating opportunities. Hand-carried craft only. Access is from Mesa Creek Trail located at Cimarron.
-
Hike Mesa Creek Trail
This trail crosses Crystal Reservoir via footbridge and meanders along the river's edge for views of the sheer canyon walls.
-
Hike Neversink Trail
This short trail is located nearest to Gunnison along the Gunnison River and provides good birdwatching opportunities.
-
Boat on Blue Mesa Reservoir
Blue Mesa Reservoir, the largest body of water in Colorado, has 96 miles of shoreline and provides opportunities for motorboating, paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, and more.
-
Hike Dillon Pinnacles
Ascending through sagebrush, ponderosa pine and riparian habitats, this 1.9-mile (3.2 km) trail offers spectacular views of Blue Mesa Reservoir, the distant San Juan Mountain peak…
-
Fishing at Curecanti
Fishing is allowed along the Gunnison River and all three reservoirs of Curecanti National Recreation Area. All Colorado State fishing regulations apply.
Campgrounds in Curecanti
Run by the park service. Reservable sites book on Recreation.gov; first-come sites do not.
-
Elk Creek Campground
Elk Creek Campground is located 16 miles west of Gunnison on U.S. Highway 50 on the shore of Blue Mesa Reservoir. We recommend making reservations prior to com…
-
Lake Fork Campground
The campground is located 27 miles west of Gunnison on CO Highway 92 near the intersection with U.S. Highway 50 on the shore of Blue Mesa Reservoir. We recomme…
-
Stevens Creek Campground
The campground is located 12 miles west of Gunnison on U.S. Highway 50 on the shore of Blue Mesa Reservoir. Tents to large RVs can be accommodated. The 53 site…
-
Cimarron Campground
Cimarron Campground is located 20 miles (32 km) east of Montrose, CO on U.S. Highway 50 at the site of Cimarron, a historic narrow gauge railroad town. The cam…
-
Ponderosa Campground
Ponderosa Campground is located at the northwest end of the Soap Creek Arm of Blue Mesa Reservoir. From U.S. Highway 50, follow CO Highway 92 1/2 mile past Blu…
-
Dry Gulch Campground
Dry Gulch Campground is located 17 miles west of Gunnison just north of U.S. Highway 50. The campground is shaded by large cottonwood trees and can accommodate…
-
East Portal Campground
East Portal Campground is located within Curecanti National Recreation Area, but is adjacent to and only accessible from Black Canyon National Park ($30 entran…
-
East Elk Creek Group Campground
East Elk Creek is a group campsite that can accommodate a total of 50 people. The site is located 16.5 miles west of Gunnison just north of U.S. Highway 50. Th…
-
Red Creek Campground
Red Creek Campground is located 19 miles west of Gunnison just north of U.S. Highway 50. There is only 1 site--a group site available by reservation only. The…
-
Gateview Campground
Gateview Campground is located in a deep, narrow canyon at the extreme south end of the Lake Fork Arm of Blue Mesa Reservoir. Take CO Highway 149 7 miles west…
What to pack for Curecanti
Gear & Essentials
Tell us about your trip and we will add what else you will want:
The basics
Worth having in the car whatever the park.
For this trip
Traveling with kids
Bringing a pet
RVing
Backcountry
Winter conditions
On the water
Photography
Accessibility
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
