Curecanti National Recreation Area

Show on map (970) 641-2337 cure_info@nps.gov

102 Elk Creek
Gunnison, CO 81230

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.

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.

Reviews

Curecanti National Recreation Area offers clean, spacious campgrounds with beautiful lake and mountain views, friendly and helpful hosts, and good access to outdoor activities like boating, fishing, and hiking. Facilities generally include well-maintained restrooms and some flush toilets, with electric hookups available in some areas. However, the campgrounds lack shade and are often windy, with limited or paid shower access. Noise disturbances, occasional management issues, and crowded or closely spaced sites have been noted. Reservation systems can be confusing, and some amenities like marinas or fishing facilities have limited availability at times.

Beautiful lake and mountain views

Clean and well-maintained campsites and restrooms

Friendly and helpful campground hosts and staff

Good access to boating, fishing, hiking, and ranger programs

Spacious and level campsites suitable for RVs

Limited shade and tree cover, often windy

Showers are limited, sometimes unavailable, or require payment

Noise from other campers, traffic, and wildlife concerns

Some sites are closely spaced or feel crowded

Reservation systems can be confusing or inefficient

817 reviews

5 stars

498

4 stars

201

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

Brenda W

Campground:Elk Creek Campground

Loop:Loop A

Site:

Reviewed 15 days ago

Because of the nice weather, the modern toilets were still open, as well as the running water. You can not find a better value for the buck. With the fee, you get trash receptacles; water; clean, flushing toilets; and this time of year - lots of room to roam.

Dawn Y

Campground:Elk Creek Campground

Loop:Loop A

Site:

Reviewed 16 days ago

Great campsite with nice restrooms.

Allison D

Campground:Stevens Creek Campground

Loop:Loop C

Site:

Reviewed 17 days ago

Comfortable campground. Enjoyed my stay.

eric c

Campground:Elk Creek Campground

Loop:Loop D

Site:

Reviewed 20 days ago

One of the best campsites I stayed in on a 3 week camping trip through southwest

Michael H

Campground:Lake Fork Campground

Loop:Middle Loop

Site:

Reviewed 22 days ago

Only disappointment was that the blue mesa reservoir was at a very low level

Kathryn H

Campground:Elk Creek Campground

Loop:Loop A

Site:

Reviewed 23 days ago

We had a great stay! Bathrooms were super clean. Campground was well set up and close to the bathrooms. We hiked the pinnacles trail. Across the road.

Keep your options open

Watch for a matching campsite across monitored campgrounds in Curecanti National Recreation Area.