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Curecanti National Recreation Area

The Curecanti National Recreation Area situated in Colorado is actually formed by three large reservoirs that were named for the corresponding dams right on the famous Gunnison River. This national recreation area is noted to border the western portion of the acclaimed Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. You will find here fjord-like reservoirs, panoramic mesas, along with steep, narrow and deep canyons.

The real astonishing part about the Curecanti National Recreation Area is the discovered fossils of what was believed to be dinosaurs! This remarkable scientific discovery was found in this 20 square kilometer (5,000 acres) archaeological district, along with a narrow type of gauge train. Aside form these fossils, traces of dwellings that were supposedly 6,000 years old further enhanced the historical significance of Curecanti.

The dams and reservoirs found in Curencanti are as follows:

  • Blue Mesa Reservoir and Blue Mesa Dam – The Blue Mesa Reservoir is indicated as the largest body of water in Colorado. It was actually created by the well-known Blue Mesa Dam. This reservoir is about 20 miles long and has approximately 96 miles of stunning coastlines. Aside from this, it is also considered as the biggest Lake Kokanee Salmon and Trout fishery in the entire United States. The dam was actually completed in the year 1965, and holds the title of being the 1st huge dam to be built along the famous Gunnison River. You will also notice that the historical Black Canyon of the Gunnison starts underneath the Blue Mesa Dam. Furthermore, along the coasts of Blue Mesa Reservoir, you will find 3 boat launches and 2 marinas.
  • Morrow Point Reservoir and Morrow Point Dam – Underneath Blue Mesa Dam, you will find Morrow Point Dam. It was during the year 1967 when this dam was reportedly completed, and subsequently creating the Morrow Point Reservoir. However, the purpose of the Morrow Point Dam is different from that of the Blue Mesa Dam. If Blue Mesa Dam’s purpose is to have water stored, Morrow Point Dam’s purpose is to actually produce hydroelectricity. This is the reason why this dam has twice Blue Mesa Dam’s power capacity.
  • Crystal Reservoir and Crystal Dam – Situated approximately 6 miles below Morrow Point Dam is the Crystal Dam. It is actually the newest addition to the two dams of Curecanti, and was reportedly completed during the year 1976. Crystal Reservoir is indicated as the Gunnison Diversion Tunnel’s site, which is also a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark at this time. You will also find beneath Crystal Dam, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park’s eastern boundary.


Moreover, the Curecanti National Recreation Area has 3 visitor centers which the National Park Service operates.

  • Elk Creek Visitor Center – Situated approximated 16 miles from Gunnison, Colorado’s western portion, along the US Hi-way 50. You will actually view here the area’s cultural and natural history.
  • Cimarron Visitor Center – This visitor center is only open to the public during the summer season. It is situated near Morrow Point Dam, along Cimaron, Colorado. You will actually view here engines and narrow-gauged railroad cars.
  • Lake Ford Visitor Center – Like the Cimarron Visitor Center, this area is only open to the public during the summer season. It is very near Blue Mesa Dam and only about 25 miles off Gunnison, Colorado’s western portion.

Another attraction you will find in the Curecanti National Recreation Area is the renowned D & RG Narrow Gauge Trestle or the Denver & Rio Grande Western Narrow Gauge Trestle, as it was previously known to many of the residents of Colorado. It is situated along the Cimaron Canyon, right next to the Morrow Point Dam. It is the final remaining narrow-gauged railroad trestle along the accredited Black Canyon of the Gunnison. It was built by the so-called Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad during the year 1895. On the year 1976, this area was placed in the National Registry of Historic Places.  

Excluding the East Portal area in the Curecanti National Recreation Area, they don’t require any entrance fees. For East Portal, the entrance fee is $15.00 for each vehicle. This amount will cover every person inside a private, single and non-commercialized vehicle. Plus, it is considered to be valid for 7 calendar days.

Like all the major parks in Colorado and the entire United States, the government has an annual pass program which they call “America the Beautiful”:

  • Interagency Annual Pass - The cost for this annual pass is $80.00 and the validity period is one year. Thus, this type of pass does not include other NPS fees like boat tours, boat permits or camping).
  • Interagency Senior Pass – The cost for this annual pass is $10.00. It is only meant for citizens who are more than 62 years old. The holder is also entitled to a discount of about 50% on boat fees or camping fees. This pass actually replaces the previous Golden Age Passport; however, for those who have the
    Golden Age Passports up to now, it will still be valid for the cardholder’s lifetime.
  • Interagency Access Pass – This type of pass is actually free for the permanently disabled or blind permanent residents or citizens of the US. However, there are documents that need to be submitted for this type of pass. The cardholder is also entitled to a discount of about 50% on boat fees or camping fees.


For Boating Permits, the fees are as follows:

  • Annual - $30.00
  • 14 Days – $10.00
  • 2 Days - $4.00


Fees for getting boating access through the Blue Mesa Reservoir are especially necessitated to all state-registered and motorized vehicles. Those who have the annual passes are given a discount of about 50%.

Since the Curecanti National Recreation Area opens every single day of the calendar year, here is the schedule for their visitor centers:

  • Elk Creek Visitor Center - Open only on weekdays from 8:30 AM up to 4:00 PM except during the summer season where in they are open from 8:00 AM up to 6:00 PM. They are closed during federal holidays, except for the summer season. Their number is 970-641-2337 ext 205.
  • Cimarron Visitor Center – Open intermittently from the middle part of May up to the end part of September, from 9:00 AM up to 4:00 PM. Their number is 970-249-4074.
  • East Portal Road – This road is closed during the winter season which is typically from the middle part of November up to the middle part of April.


As an update, PWC or Personal Watercrafts are now allowed in the Blue Mesa Reservoir. According to records, use of personal watercrafts was prohibited since November 7th of the year 2002 due to the Bluewater Network and the National Park Service’s court-ordered settlement. This was waived last September 21st of the year 2006 but strict regulations should be followed.  


Aside from this, last April 10th of this year, due to heavy snowfall and extreme temperatures along the Gunnison Basin, most of the areas in the Curecanti National Recreation Area, especially the East Portal Road, are temporarily closed until further announcements. This is also done to protect the big game animals that reside in this recreation area.