Curecanti National Rec Area
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. Blue Mesa Reservoir is the largest body of water in Colorado, boasting 96 miles of shoreline. It is also the largest Kokanee salmon fishery in the U.S. and receives a copious stocking of brown, rainbow, and mackinaw trout.
Aside 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.
Location & Contact Information
The Elk Creek Visitor Center is located 40 miles east of Montrose, just off Highway 50. For more information, call the Cimarron and Morrow Point Station at 970-249-4074 or the Curecanti National Recreation office at 970-641-2337.
Hikers can choose from seven established hiking trails in the recreation area. The Mesa Creek Trail is a great choice for an easy/moderate hike in the canyon areas below Morrow Point Dam. This trail is located on the western edge of the recreation area, just a short drive from Montrose. While there, enjoy the Cimarron Canyon Railroad Exhibit. 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.
Camping options abound with 10 campgrounds in the recreation area, each with its own distinct setting and amenities. RV camping with electrical service is available at the Elk Creek Campground. For a more remote camping experience, try the Ponderosa Campground on Soap Creek.
That’s just a small part of the adventure and beauty you’ll find here in this beautiful National Recreation Area.
Visit the National Park Service Curecanti National Recreation Area website for detailed information plan your visit.
Maps & Resources
The @blackcanyonnps Visitor Center may be closed, but you can still get your Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park passport cancellation stamp.
Visit the BLM Uncompahgre Field Office (UFO).
Address:
2465 S. Townsend Ave.
Montrose, CO 81401
Phone: 970-240-5300
Hours:
M-F: 9:00am – 12:00pm; 1:00pm – 4:00pm (Closed Federal Holidays)
#passportstamps #npspassport #npspassportstamp #montroseco #nps #southrimfire
@montroselifestyle @montrosedart
FUNCy Ducky Race is on — at FUNC Fest, Saturday, August 9!
Grab your ducks and get ready to race!
$3 per duck or 2 for $5
Buy yours at the Partners Mentoring Youth booth or pre-order by calling 970.249.1116 (Cash or Venmo accepted!)
Heats at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., & 2:30 p.m. with finals at 3 p.m.
Over $1000 in prizes up for grabs
No need to be present to win!
In partnership with @partners.west
#MontroseCO #visitmontrose
@city_of_montrose @montroselifestyle
We`re bringing back the FUNC-y River Parade for FUNC Fest’s 10th anniversary!
Bring your weird, your whimsical, your wonderfully wacky! Build a float (yes, anything that floats!) and cruise from the Montrose Water Sports Park put-in to the take-out in true FUNC fashion.
✨ Costumes? Yes.
🎵 Music? Absolutely.
🧜♂️ Props, themes & flair? Bring it on!
Whether you’re floating or cheering from the shore, this is one Montrose tradition you don’t want to miss.
Limited spots – register now: qrco.de/FUNCYPARADE
@city_of_montrose @montroselifestyle
#montroseco #funcfest
We’re offering a 25% discount on all Black Canyon National Park merch.
We know many community members and tourists coming through had plans to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. With the park’s Visitor Center closed this sale is our small way of keeping the Black Canyon experience alive for those passing through.
Sale Dates: July 24–August 29
Montrose Visitor Center 107 S Cascade Ave
#ShopMontrose #MontroseCO #BlackCanyon #SupportLocal #VisitorCenter
Groove on the Uncompahgre, Saturday, August 9!
Make your way to Riverbottom Park for an epic afternoon of live music, local talent, and summer vibes under the open sky—it’s all part of FUNC Fest’s 10th anniversary celebration!
@theriverarkansas kicks things off at 4:30 p.m.
The Brown Family Band keeps the rhythm rolling at 6:00 p.m.
@papabearwilliams closes out the night with a high-energy headlining set starting at 7:30 p.m.
But that’s not all—FUNC Fest is an all-day celebration of Fun on the Uncompahgre!
Cheer on water sports competitions
Enjoy family-friendly activities in the park
Catch the colorful and quirky FUNC-y River Parade at 2:00 p.m.
Bring your crew, lawn chairs and your best dance moves—it’s a full day of music, community, and summertime fun you won’t want to miss.
@visitmontrose @montroselifestyle
#MontroseCO #Funcfest
Calling all water sports enthusiasts! Get ready to ride the river.
Join us Friday, August 9 for a full day of adrenaline-pumping water sports competitions at FUNC Fest! From the kayak rodeo to boogie boarding battles, it’s all going down at Riverbottom Park.
- Races & events start at 10:30 a.m.
- Cash prizes + bragging rights
- $20 Registration Fee
- Youth Flow Fury is free for participants 17 and under. Youth must still register to compete.
Limited spots – register now: qrco.de/FUNCWaterSportsComp
@visitmontrose @montroselifestyle
#montroseco #funcfest
FUNC Fest Free Music is here!
Kick off FUNC Fest with a night of free live music under the summer sky! Join us Friday, August 8 at the Montrose Rotary Amphitheater for an evening packed with fun, music, and all the summer vibes.
@neonskyband hits the stage at 6:00 p.m. to get the party started.
@loabn15 takes over at 7:00 p.m., rocking the house with all your favorite hits!
Bring your crew, your lawn chairs, your dancing feet—and your best summer energy.
And the fun doesn’t stop there!
See you Saturday, August 9 at FUNC Fest for a full day of:
Water sports competitions
Family-friendly activities
More live music
And, of course, the return of the funky, fabulous FUNC-y River Parade!
Mark your calendars. We’ll see you at the river!
@visitmontrose @montroselifestyle
#MontroseCO #Funcfest
The countdown is on for FUNC Fest 2025 — and the full Schedule of Events is here, with something for everyone.
Mark your calendars:
Friday, Aug 8 – Food trucks, beer garden, and free live music at the Amphitheater from @neonskyband and headliner @livinonabadname
Saturday, Aug 9 – All-day festivities with water sports competitions, family fun activities, and a food and beer garden at Riverbottom. Stick around to enjoy free live music by @theriverarkansas, @Thebrownfamilyband, and headliner @thewilliamsbrothersband!
More details: visitmontrose.com/FUNC
@cityofmontrose @montroselifestyle
#FUNCFest2025 #MontroseCo #montroselifestyle
Stop by the Montrose Visitor Center for a Book Signing & Art Gallery with Natalie Heller!
Saturday, August 2 | 10 AM – 1 PM
📍 107 S. Cascade Ave
Enjoy a relaxing, beautiful art sampling and gallery, plus a chance to meet Natalie Heller during her book signing. Free refreshments will be served while you browse and connect.
Drop in, grab a treat, and soak up the creative energy downtown!
#visitmontrose #booksigning #localartistry @montroselifestyle
We’re looking for awesome volunteers to help make FUNC Fest 2025 unforgettable!
August 8 & 9
Join us for one day or both—and be part of the action that brings this community event to life.
Friday, August 8
Volunteers will help with:
• Parking logistics
• Passing out swag items
• Assisting attendees
• Other event support tasks
Saturday, August 9
Start your day with a FREE volunteer meal and then jump in to help with:
• Parking logistics
• Judging water sports competitions (no experience required)
• Course marshaling for water sports comps
• Helping vendors get to their spots
• Assisting attendees
• Water safety support
Ready to sign up? Contact Thomas Ceniceros, Pavilion & Community Events Coordinator
Tceniceros@cityofmontrose.org | 970.252.4881
Learn more: VisitMontrose.com/func
@montroselifestyle
#FUNCFest #montrosecolorado #montrosewatersportspark
Get Ready for the 10th Annual FUNC Fest!
🗓️ August 8 & 9, 2025 | 📍 Montrose Rotary Amphitheater + Water Sports Park
We’re making waves again for FUNC Fest 2025 — a two-day celebration packed with water sports, live music, local vendors, food trucks, a beer garden, and family-friendly fun!
Friday, Aug. 8: Free live music at the @MontroseRotaryAmphitheater
Saturday, Aug. 9: All-day action at the Montrose Water Sports Park — competitions, food, music & more!
📢 Calling all Vendors!
Want to be part of one of the biggest attractions of this one-of-a-kind western water celebration? Secure your spot by Monday, Aug. 4 before we fill up!
Apply now: qrco.de/FUNCvendorreg
Let’s make FUNC Fest’s 10th anniversary one to remember!
@visitmontrose @montroselifestyle
Summer Sale at the Montrose Visitor Center!
June 23–28 | 107 S Cascade Ave
Get ready for all your summer adventures with up to 20% off apparel during our big summer sale!
Whether you’re hitting the trails, heading to the lake, or road-tripping across Colorado, now’s the perfect time to rep Montrose in style. Stock up on locally inspired gear, gifts, and souvenirs while supporting the makers and spirit of our vibrant community.
#MontroseCO #SupportLocal #visitmontrose
