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
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
📣 Calling All Vendors!
Be part of one of the biggest highlights of FUNC Fest—our vibrant Vendor Marketplace on Saturday, August 9! It’s the perfect opportunity to showcase your business, connect with the community, and share what you do best.
Whether you’re based in Montrose, the surrounding area, or a thousand miles away, we’d love to have you join us!
📝 Apply now: qrco.de/FUNCvendorreg
‼️ Deadline to register: Monday, August 4 at 6 p.m. (or until we reach capacity—don’t wait!)
Let’s make this an unforgettable celebration of local flavor, creativity, and community!
#FUNCFest #montroseco #festival #riverfest
@city_of_montrose @montroselifestyle
That’s a solid finish!! Congrats to all of our racers it’s inspiring to see so many amazing competitors embrace the course right here in Montrose.
Don’t miss the awards ceremony at 6 tonight followed by the FREE season kick-off concert ft. @wowzerscolorado #montrosecolorado
#visitmontrose #montroseco #montrosecolorado #cityofmontrose
@blackcanyonrotary @wowzerscolorado @city_of_montrose @montroselifestyle
Montrose Mudder 2025 is underway!
Checking opens at 12:00, race begins at 1:00, kids Mudder begins at 2:00!
Spectators are welcome and encouraged to come and cheer the muddy runners on!
Concert at 6:00!! @wowzerscolorado
#visitmontrose #montroseco #montrosecolorado #montrosemudder5k
Picture ✨this✨but covered in mud. Here’s a sneak peek at the Montrose Mudder course for 2025!
Montrose Mudder – In-Person Registration & Pick-Up!
Planning to race? You can still register in person day of — but only pre-registered participants are eligible for timed results, so don’t wait!
Online registration closes Friday, May 9 at 7pm
Register Online: qrco.de/mmudder
IN-PERSON REGISTRATION & PACKET PICK-UP
You can register in person AND pick up your bib, swag bag, course map, and more at the following locations:
📍 Montrose Pavilion Event Center – 1800 E Pavilion Dr
Monday–Thursday, May 5–8 from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 Montrose Visitor Center – 107 S Cascade Ave
Friday, May 9 from 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Everyone must sign an individual waiver to participate — even team members!
#MontroseCO #VisitMontrose
@city_of_montrose @montroselifestyle
@blackcanyonrotary @blackcanyoninteractclub
FREE Season Kick-off Concert – Featuring @wowzerscolorado
Get ready to welcome the season with good vibes, great music, and even better company!
Join the @city_of_montrose for a FREE evening of live music at the stunning Montrose Rotary Amphitheater in Cerise Park. Local legends Wowzers will light up the stage and get the party started!
Come hungry— our Food Truck Village and Beer Garden will be serving up tasty bites and cold brews while you soak in the tunes and spring sunshine.
🗓️ Date: Saturday, May 10 from 6-8 PM
📍 Location: Cerise Park, Montrose Rotary Amphitheater
Let’s make it a night to remember — and did we mention it’s FREE?
Learn more: visitmontrose.com/events/montrose-mudder
#MontroseCO #FreeConcert #LiveMusic #visitmontrose
@montroselifestyle
Paws, Popsicles & Friends – A Tail-Waggin’ Good Time!
Mark your calendars! The Montrose Visitor Center and @montrose_animal_shelter are teaming up for a heart-melting adoption & education event you won’t want to miss!
📍 Saturday, May 17 at 10 AM – 1 PM
📌 North side of the Visitor Center – 107 S Cascade Ave.
Enjoy free popsicles and popcorn, meet adorable adoptable dogs, check out face painting for the kids, and say, “Hi!”, to the Morningstar Therapy Dogs, @secondchancehumanesociety, @the.montrose.bullybreed.club, and more local vendors!
Bring the fam, bring your friends, and get ready for smiles, snuggles, and some seriously sweet treats.
#montroseco #visitmontrose
@city_of_montrose @montroselifestyle
Huge thanks to our 2025 Montrose Mudder sponsors!
Your support helps make this muddy, community-powered event a success — and every dollar raised goes directly to the Montrose Interact Club, empowering local youth through leadership and service.
A big shoutout to our current sponsors:
Alexander Orthodontics
Christie Dirt Works LLC 970-258-8790
Oliver Behavioral Consultants
Alpine Bank
East Mesa Express
Montrose 360 Insurance Company, Agent Bryant Hunter
NuVista Federal Credit Union
Horsefly Brewery
MaxfieldPeterson
Timberline Bank
VistaVision
There’s still time to sponsor! The sponsorship deadline is Monday, May 5 — don’t miss your chance to support a great cause and be part of the muddy fun.
To sponsor, reach out to Tessa Imus at timus@timberlinebabk.com
#MontroseMudder #ThankYouSponsors #MontroseCO #CommunitySupport #MontroseInteractClub #localimpact
City of Montrose Colorado Government Montrose Lifestyle Black Canyon Rotary Montrose Colorado Rotary Clubs
FREE Concert Alert at Cerise Park!
Kick off the season with a high-energy night of live music featuring Wowzers —right here in Montrose!
Join the City of Montrose Colorado Government on Saturday, May 10 from 6–8 PM at the Montrose Rotary Amphitheater in Cerise Park for an evening packed with feel-good tunes, fresh air, and community vibes.
Don’t miss this fun, free night under the spring sky!
👉 More info: visitmontrose.com/events/montrose-mudder
#MontroseCO #WowzersLive #FreeConcert #SpringInMontrose #VisitMontrose #LiveMusicVibes
Meet the Montrose High School @blackcanyonrotary @blackcanyoninteractclub
This student-led powerhouse is all about leadership, service, and building a better world—starting right here in Montrose. The Interact Club gives students real-world opportunities to grow, give back, and make an impact locally and globally.
From planning youth leadership events like the Young Adult Leadership Conference and welcoming exchange students, to fundraising, organizing blood drives for Belize, and building shade structures at local elementary schools—these students stay busy making a difference. They also help local non-profits, donate ShelterBoxes, visit the homeless, and adopt a highway to keep our community clean!
Proceeds from this year’s Montrose Mudder 5K on Saturday, May 10, at Cerise Park will go directly to support the incredible work of the Black Canyon Interact Club. Come out, get muddy, and stand behind the next generation of leaders and changemakers!
#YouthInAction #MontroseCO #cityofmontrose
@city_of_montrose @blackcanyonrotary @montroselifestyle
We are happy to share that we are now fully operational after the temporary electronic systems outage earlier this week. Thank you for your patience.
