Curecanti National Recreation Area

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.

Hours

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.

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). 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).

Things to do

Astronomy, Backcountry Camping, Birdwatching, Boating, Bookstore and Park Store, Camping, Canoe or Kayak Camping, Canoeing, Car or Front Country Camping, Climbing, Cross-Country Skiing, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Freshwater Fishing, Freshwater Swimming, Front-Country Hiking, Gift Shop and Souvenirs, Group Camping, Hiking, Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use), Horse Camping (see also camping), Horse Trekking, Horseback Riding, Hunting, Hunting and Gathering, Ice Skating, Jet Skiing, Junior Ranger Program, Kayaking, Motorized Boating, Paddling, RV Camping, Rock Climbing, Sailing, Shopping, Skiing, Snowmobiling, Snowshoeing, Stand Up Paddleboarding, Stargazing, Swimming, Water Skiing, Wildlife Watching.