The bonus is picture-perfect access to the tallest cliffs in the canyon. The Cimarron Canyon Rail Exhibit features a display of an old-fashioned locomotive at the last remaining railroad trestle in the Black Canyon on the Gunnison route. The passage of the Gunnison River is marked by the steep, narrow cliffs of the Black Canyon. Some small fish inhabit the deeper pools.” Blue Mesa connects to the Morrow Point Reservoir, which flows down to the more isolated Crystal Reservoir. By mid to late summer, the creek is low enough for wading.

Red Creek flows out of the West Elk Mountains, through this campground, and into Blue Mesa Reservoir. “This area is characterized by semi-arid shrubland with large cottonwood trees lining the campground. For more information visit the National Invasive Species Information Center. Dispose of unwanted bait, worms, fish parts, or other organisms into the trash and not into the environment. CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY boats and any other recreational equipment that contacts water. Stay on designated roads and trails, and follow local guidelines for firewood. Clean your gear before entering and leaving the recreation site. Remove plants, seeds, animals, and mud from boots, gear, pets, and vehicles. Vehicles over 21' (6.5 m) are not recommended. Be aware of the signs of high elevation travel and altitude illness, especially if you are accustomed to lower elevations. This is a high elevation facility (7542 feet/2300 m). Visit Curecanti's Boat Ramps web page for more details. Inspection stations are located at the Elk Creek and Lake Fork boat ramps during peak seasons (May through October). Upon arrival to the boat ramp and before launching, all watercraft will be inspected and certified Zebra and Quagga Mussel free. Red Creek Group Site has no electric hookups. If your reservation is after this date please bring all the water you will need. The park shuts off the water approximately September 19th each year. Recreation vehicles over 22'' not reccomended. This is a group camping site for a minimum of 9 people and a maximum of 20 people. The campground is surrounded by national forests and park lands with Gunnison National Forest to the north, Black Canyon to the west and the Uncompahgre National forest to the southwest.Ī wide range of mammals can be found within Curecanti, including mule deer, mountain lions, black bears, prairie dogs, bighorn sheep, elk and the occasional moose. The Red Creek Group Site is located in the Curecanti Recreation Area, just south of the West Elk Mountains. That’s just a small part of the adventure and beauty you’ll find here in this beautiful national recreation area.In the heart of southwest Colorado is a group camp getaway for nature lovers and outdoor sports-enthusiasts. For a more remote camping experience, try the Ponderosa Campground on Soap Creek. RV camping with electrical service is available at the Elk Creek Campground. The Dillon Pinnacles Trail gives hikers an up-close view of the unique beauty of the volcanic rock formations on the north side of Blue Mesa Reservoir.Ĭamping options abound with 10 campgrounds in the recreation area, each with their own distinct setting and amenities. While there, enjoy the Cimarron Canyon Railroad Exhibit. This trail is located on the western edge of the recreation area, just a short drive from Montrose. The Mesa Creek Trail is a great choice for an easy/moderate hike in the canyon areas below Morrow Point Dam. Hikers can choose from seven established hiking trails in the recreation area. For more information, call the Cimarron and Morrow Point Station at 97 or the Curecanti National Recreation office at 97.

The Elk Creek Visitor Center is located 40 miles east of Montrose, just off Highway 50. and receives a copious stocking of brown, rainbow, and mackinaw trout.Īside from being a great place to fish, it is celebrated as a favorite place for other water sports such as waterskiing and wakeboarding, swimming and sailing.īetween Memorial Day and Labor Day, the Morrow Point Boat Tour transports visitors through the scenic upper reaches of the reservoir, including charming Chipeta Falls and historic Curecanti Needle.

It is also the largest Kokanee salmon fishery in the U.S. Blue Mesa Reservoir is the largest body of water in Colorado, boasting 96 miles of shoreline. Located an hour east of Montrose, the Curecanti National Recreation Area is home to Blue Mesa, Morrow Point and Crystal Reservoirs, named after the corresponding dams on the Gunnison River.

Elk creek campground gunnison