Curecanti National Recreation Area
Designation: National Recreation Area
Location: Colorado
📘 Park Overview
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.
🌤 Weather Information
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).
🚗 Directions
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.
Images
The snow-capped San Juan Mountain Range looms in the distance as viewed from the Crystal Trail
Credit: NPS image by Matt Johnson
Blue Mesa reflects the color of the sky in the dawn twilight.
Credit: NPS image by Matt Johnson
Hedgehog Cactus flower blooming along the Crystal Trail
Credit: NPS image by Matt Johnson
Dillon Pinnacles next to Blue Mesa Reservoir
Credit: NPS Photo
An arm of the Milky Way galaxy glows over Blue Mesa.
Credit: NPS image by Leo Pareti
Morrow Point Reservoir
Credit: NPS Photo
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
No entrance fees listed.
Entrance Passes
No entrance passes listed.
3-Day Weather Forecast
Saturday, Aug 8
Sunny
High: 84.2°F | Low: 50.7°F
Humidity: 16%
Wind: 13.2 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 8.6
Sunrise: 06:17 AM
Sunset: 08:12 PM
Moon: Waning Crescent (16%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 50.4°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Sunday, Aug 9
Sunny
High: 82.3°F | Low: 51.9°F
Humidity: 27%
Wind: 17.7 mph
Rain Chance: 17%
UV Index: 6.9
Sunrise: 06:18 AM
Sunset: 08:11 PM
Moon: Waning Crescent (9%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 51.2°F
Cloud Cover: 17%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Monday, Aug 10
Sunny
High: 81.2°F | Low: 49.5°F
Humidity: 42%
Wind: 16.6 mph
Rain Chance: 17%
UV Index: 10.1
Sunrise: 06:19 AM
Sunset: 08:09 PM
Moon: New Moon (4%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 52.5°F
Cloud Cover: 17%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Park Alerts
Park Events
Trickster Coyote
Drop in anytime between 6:00 to 8:00pm to participate in various activities and learn more about coyotes.
Location: Elk Creek Campground Amphitheater (Loop A)
Date: May 22, 2026 12:00am to May 22, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Sounds of Curecanti
Join a ranger to explore the sounds that make Curecanti special!
Location: Elk Creek Campground Amphitheater (Loop A)
Date: May 22, 2026 12:00am to May 22, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Fossils of Curecanti
Drop in anytime between 6:00 and 8:00pm to experience fossil life here at Curecanti.
Location: Elk Creek Campground Amphitheater (Loop A)
Date: May 23, 2026 12:00am to May 23, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
The Cost of Playing in Water
Join a ranger to explore how Curecanti protects this landscape of recreation.
Location: Elk Creek Campground Amphitheater (Loop A)
Date: May 23, 2026 12:00am to May 23, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Sounds of Curecanti
Join a ranger to experience the special soundscapes of Curecanti!
Location: Elk Creek Campground Amphitheater (Loop A)
Date: May 29, 2026 12:00am to May 29, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
A Bird's Life
Drop in anytime from 6:30 to 8:00pm and see what it’s like to be a bird at Curecanti.
Location: Elk Creek Campground Amphitheater (Loop A)
Date: May 29, 2026 12:00am to May 29, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Trickster Coyote
Drop in anytime between 6:30 to 8:00pm to participate in various activities and learn more about coyotes.
Location: Elk Creek Campground Amphitheater (Loop A)
Date: May 30, 2026 12:00am to May 30, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Our Heritage in the Stars
Explore how the stars and other objects in the night sky connect us to our past.
Location: Elk Creek Campground Amphitheater (Loop A)
Date: May 30, 2026 12:00am to May 30, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Trickster Coyote
Drop in anytime from 6:30 to 8:00pm to participate in various activities and learn more about coyotes.
Location: Elk Creek Campground Amphitheater (Loop A between sites A31 and A32)
Date: Jun 5, 2026 12:00am to Jun 5, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
A Story Written in the Rocks
What do the pages of Curecanti’s storybook share with us? Experience the wonders of geology led by a ranger.
Location: Elk Creek Campground Amphitheater (Loop A between sites A31 and A32)
Date: Jun 5, 2026 12:00am to Jun 5, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
102 Elk Creek
Gunnison, CO 81230
🏤 Mailing Address:
102 Elk Creek
Gunnison, CO 81230
📞 Voice Phone: 9706412337
📞 Fax Phone: 9706413127
✉️ Email: cure_info@nps.gov