Curecanti National Recreation Area

Curecanti National Recreation Area is a beautiful national park in Colorado. This beautiful mountainous place has three reservoirs, including the largest body of water in the state of Colorado, the Blue Mesa Reservoir. The other two reservoirs are Morrow Point Reservoir and the East Portal Reservoir.

This area was named after a Ute Native American sub-chief in the 1860s and 1870s. Again, Blue Mesa Reservoir is the largest body of water in Colorado, at 20 miles long. It has 96 miles of shoreline. Interestingly, this area has a very low rainfall each year of about 12 inches. This means there are not many trees around Blue Mesa Reservoir.

But the wildlife abounds. There are black bears, coyotes, mountain lions, mule deer, prairie dogs, elk, bighorn sheep,and even some black-billed magpie and moose.

It is important for you to know that you should not disturb natural features, pick the flowers, or approach the wildlife. You can take all of the photos that you want.

There are some specific boating requirements so you should check with the park at their web site below before you bring a boat.

You can hike and marvel at the beauty all around you here. You can also swim, boat, fish, fly fish, ride horses, watch birds, go on scenic drives, and hunt. There are also boat tours that you can go on. If you love water and wildlife, this is the place to go.

Curecanti National Recreation Area is about 200 miles southwest of Denver, between Gunnison and Montrose on Highway 50. You can also get there from CO Hwy 149 and CO Hwy 92.