National Recreation Area

Curecanti National Recreation Area

Curecanti National Recreation Area is a National Recreation Area in Colorado. The NPS currently lists 1 active alert, 10 campgrounds and 1 visitor center, and no entrance fee.

Colorado National Recreation Area No entrance fee

Updated Oct 28, 2026, 3:52 AM EDT · NPS Data API

A single boat floating out in a reservoir. Mesas surrounding the area are reflected on the water. — Blue Mesa Reservoir · Photo: NPS/Kat Connelly (via nps.gov)

About the park

“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.”

— National Park Service, nps.gov/cure

Active alerts

Closures

Campgrounds

Visitor centers

Current alerts and closures

1 active NPS alert as of Oct 28, 2026: 0 closures, 0 danger, 1 caution and 0 information.

Caution

Toxic Algae May Be Present In Blue Mesa Reservoir

Cyanotoxin levels in the Blue Mesa Reservoir are now below state thresholds. Toxins are still present at low levels, therefore keep kids and pets out of the water. Avoid all contact with algae. If exposed, shower immediately.

Posted or updated Oct 12, 2026 ·Park conditions on nps.gov

Entrance fees and passes

This site has no entrance fee, according to NPS fee data.

Things to do

Multiple boats on a still water reservoir with mountains in the background — Photo: NPS/Victoria Stauffenberg

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.

Spring, Summer, Fall Fee applies Pets allowed

Boating

Tall canyon walls and rocky shoreline along a reservoir — Photo: NPS/P. Santellan

Boat on Crystal Reservoir

Crystal Reservoir provides backcountry flatwater boating opportunities. Hand-carried craft only. Access is from Mesa Creek Trail located at Cimarron.

Summer, Fall Pets allowed

Boating

A person standup paddleboarding on a reservoir between steep cliff walls — Photo: NPS Photo

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.

Summer, Fall Pets allowed

Boating

See all 14 things to do in Curecanti →

Activities the NPS lists for Curecanti.

AstronomyStargazingBoatingMotorized BoatingSailingJet SkiingCampingBackcountry CampingCanoe or Kayak CampingCar or Front Country CampingHorse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)Group CampingRV CampingClimbingRock ClimbingFishingFreshwater FishingFly FishingHikingFront-Country HikingHorse TrekkingHorse Camping (see also camping)Horseback RidingHunting and GatheringHuntingIce SkatingPaddlingCanoeingKayakingStand Up PaddleboardingJunior Ranger ProgramSkiingCross-Country SkiingSnowmobilingSnowshoeingSwimmingFreshwater SwimmingWater SkiingWildlife WatchingBirdwatchingShoppingBookstore and Park StoreGift Shop and Souvenirs

Operating hours

Open 24 hours per day, 365 days a year.

Curecanti National Recreation Area
Day	Hours
Monday	All Day
Tuesday	All Day
Wednesday	All Day
Thursday	All Day
Friday	All Day
Saturday	All Day
Sunday	All Day

Weather: 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).

Contact and directions

Phone: 9706412337 ext. 205
Email: [email protected]
Address: 102 Elk Creek, Gunnison, CO 81230
Coordinates: 38.4658, -107.3303· View on OpenStreetMap

Official park page on nps.gov Directions

Visitor centers

Visitor center	Standard hours	Phone	Passport stamp
Elk Creek Visitor Center	Mon 9:00AM - 4:00PM · Tue 9:00AM - 4:00PM · Wed 9:00AM - 4:00PM · Thu 9:00AM - 4:00PM · Fri 9:00AM - 4:00PM · Sat Closed · Sun Closed	970.641.2337 ext. 205	Yes

Campgrounds

Campground	Total sites	Reservable	First-come	RVs	Fee	Reserve
Cimarron Campground	21	0	0	Yes	$24	—
Dry Gulch Campground	9	0	0	Yes	$20	—
East Elk Creek Group Campground	1	1	0	Yes	$120	Recreation.gov
East Portal Campground	15	0	15	Yes, up to 22 ft	$20	Recreation.gov
Elk Creek Campground	155	111	49	Yes, up to 55 ft	$24	Recreation.gov
Gateview Campground	6	0	6	No	Free	—
Lake Fork Campground	90	57	19	Yes, up to 55 ft	$24	Recreation.gov
Ponderosa Campground	28	0	0	Yes	$20	—
Red Creek Campground	1	1	0	Yes, up to 22 ft	$60	Recreation.gov
Stevens Creek Campground	53	0	54	Yes, up to 55 ft	$20	Recreation.gov

Site counts and fees are from the NPS campground data. Fees show the first listed rate; availability is not shown here — check the reservation site.

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More parks in Colorado

Amache National Historic Site Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park California National Historic Trail Colorado National Monument Dinosaur National Monument Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve Hovenweep National Monument Mesa Verde National Park Old Spanish National Historic Trail Pony Express National Historic Trail All in Colorado

Nearest other NPS sites

Sources

Park details, alerts, fees and passes, visitor centers and campgrounds: National Park Service Data API, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
Official park page: https://www.nps.gov/cure/index.htm
Data: National Park Service (NPS) Data API, U.S. Department of the Interior (developer.nps.gov). This product uses the NPS Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the National Park Service. The National Park Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior do not endorse OpenParks. Photos are NPS images shown with their original credits; park descriptions are short excerpts credited to the NPS. Always confirm current conditions on nps.gov before you travel.