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Welcome to Curecanti

Three reservoirs, named for corresponding dams on the Gunnison River, form the heart of Curecanti. Blue Mesa Reservoir is Colorado's largest body of water, and is the largest Kokanee Salmon fishery in the U.S. Morrow Point Reservoir is the beginning of the Black Canyon, and below, East Portal is the site of the Gunnison Diversion Tunnel, a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

 
Mussel-Free Certification

ATTENTION BOATERS: Mussel Inspection Program

All motorized watercraft at Curecanti are required to be inspected for invasive mussels before and after launch. 
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Morrow Point Boat Tour

Morrow Point Boat Tours

Ride through the upper Black Canyon on a 42 passenger pontoon boat! Tours begin Memorial Day weekend and run through Labor Day weekend.
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Write to

National Park Service
102 Elk Creek
Gunnison, Colorado 81230

Phone

Park Headquarters
(970) 641-2337

Fax

(970) 641-3127

Climate

Weather can vary greatly throughout the day. Summer daytime temperatures range between 50 to 90F (10 to 32C), nights 40 to 60F (4 to 15C). Winter daytime temperatures range between -20 to +40F (-29 to +4C), nights -30 to +20F (-34 to -7C).

Precipitation is minimal, but afternoon thunderstorms and strong winds are common during the summer. Snow accumulation varies greatly year to year.
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Communities Surrounding Curecanti National Recreation Area
Note: The times listed below are approximate driving times to the park.
Cimarron, CO (21 min. )
Gunnison, CO (34 min. ) Pop. 5,409
Powderhorn, CO (40 min. )
Crawford, CO (43 min. ) Pop. 366
Montrose, CO (44 min. ) Pop. 12,344
Almont, CO (46 min. )
Parlin, CO (47 min. )
Hotchkiss, CO (55 min. ) Pop. 968
Lake City, CO (1 hr.  1 min. ) Pop. 375
Lazear, CO (1 hr.  3 min. )
Olathe, CO (1 hr.  7 min. ) Pop. 1,573
Paonia, CO (1 hr.  7 min. ) Pop. 1,497
Ridgway, CO (1 hr.  17 min. ) Pop. 713
Somerset, CO (1 hr.  20 min. )
Ouray, CO (1 hr.  29 min. ) Pop. 813