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
To our Visitor Center volunteers, like Nikki: thank you for bringing warmth, patience, and a genuine desire to help others feel welcome. Your time and care do not go unnoticed; they are what make this place truly special.
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park never fails to impress, whether you`re visiting for the first time or have called this area home for years.
With dramatic canyon walls, breathtaking overlooks, scenic trails, and opportunities to venture deep below the rim, it`s a place that inspires awe with every visit.
Bring your camera, pack your sense of adventure, and discover why the Black Canyon remains one of Colorado`s most unforgettable landscapes.
#MontroseCO #ExploreMontrose @blackcanyonnps
Join us on Saturday, August 8 at Riverbottom Park for FUNC Fest!
The Beer Garden, presented by @MADA & @shelterdistillingmontrose , opens at 12:00 PM, alongside the food truck village, serving up delicious eats all afternoon.
Whether you`re enjoying lunch from the food trucks, a cold drink at the beer garden, or gathering with friends to watch the festivities before the live music starts, Riverbottom is the place to be.
Free Concert opening with The Violet Pines at 6:00 PM and headlining we have, Heavy Diamond Ring at 7:30 PM.
Bring your friends and your lawn chairs, and enjoy the day at FUNC Fest with great food, cold drinks, and free live music.
City of Montrose Colorado Government Montrose Lifestyle Montrose DART
Whether you’re casting a line, exploring a trail, or soaking in the beauty of the outdoors, adventures are even better when shared—whether with two-legged friends or four-legged companions.
Before heading out, take a moment to check the air quality and conditions where you are planning on exploring, so you can plan a safe and enjoyable experience.
Stop by the Visitor Center, grab a free KN95 mask if you need, and chat with our volunteers for local recommendations on dog-friendly trails, lakes, and mountain destinations throughout the region.
#MontroseCO #ExploreMontrose
Vendor registration for FUNC Fest is now open!
Join us on Saturday, August 8, for one of Montrose’s river festival and showcase your business, products, services, or organization in our vendor marketplace.
Vendors from Montrose, the surrounding region, and beyond are welcome to apply.
Apply today: qrco.de/FUNCvendor
Registration closes Monday, August 3, at 5 p.m., or when all vendor spaces have been filled.
Be part of a day filled with community, entertainment, shopping, and summer fun. Reserve your spot today!
@cityofmontrose @montroselifestyle @montrosedart
If your favorite place is on the river, make the most of the season with one last weekend on the water at FUNC Fest.
SIGN UP FOR THE COMPS: qrco.de/watercomps
FUNC Fest brings together paddlers, surfers, kayakers, paddleboarders, competitors, and adventure seekers for an unforgettable weekend on the Uncompahgre River. Whether you’re looking to test your skills or simply experience the thrill of competition, our youth and adult events offer something for every level.
Compete for cash prizes, rad medals, and bragging rights while soaking up the energy of the last river festival of the year.
When you’re not on the water, enjoy live music, the River Parade, local food and drinks, family activities, and everything Montrose has to offer. Make a weekend of it by exploring Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, the Rim Rocker Trail, and our vibrant downtown.
More info about FUNC Fest: qrco.de/FUNC
@city_of_montrose @montroselifestyle @montrosedart
Be part of the action!
We`re looking for volunteers to help make this year`s FUNC Fest our best one yet! No experience is needed - just a positive attitude and a willingness to lend a hand.
Volunteering at FUNC is a great way to support local recreation, connect with your community, and enjoy a day by the river while helping create an incredible event for everyone.
As a token of our appreciation, all volunteers will receive a food voucher, a FUNC merchandise voucher, and a goodie bag.
To get involved, please contact Dawn Dovey at dawn@visitmontrose.com and join the fun!
Welcome to our beautiful mountain home. We’re glad you’re here and hope you discover some unforgettable places along the way.
Whether you`re heading out of the city for a breath of fresh mountain air or setting out to explore somewhere new, we hope you`ll experience the beauty that makes this place so special.
Many of the area`s hidden gems are sensitive to increased visitation. When sharing your adventures online, consider skipping the exact geotag or location tag. A little mystery can help reduce overcrowding, protect wildlife and natural resources, and preserve the sense of discovery that makes these places so special.
Thank you for helping keep our mountains beautiful for future visitors to enjoy.
#MontroseCO #ExploreMontrose @leavenotrace
The FUNC-y River Parade at FUNC Fest at the Riverbottom Water Sports Park, is your chance to turn the river into a floating showcase of creativity. Gather your crew, decorate your raft, kayak, canoe, paddleboard, or tube, and cruise the river in true FUNC style.
Whether you go all out with a themed float, dress in costume, or simply float the river in your choice of floatie, the FUNC-y River Parade at FUNC Fest is all about creativity, community, and having fun on the water.
Limited spots – register now: qrco.de/FUNCYPARADE
City of Montrose Colorado Government Montrose Lifestyle Montrose DART
#montroseco #funcfest
Bring the Family to Func Fest!
From face painting to balloon animals and bouncy houses, there`s plenty to keep the kids smiling while you enjoy everything Func Fest has to offer!
Riverbottom Park
Saturday, August 8
Kids` activities begin at 11:00 a.m.
- Balloon Animals by @tonyastwistedstuff
- Face Painting by @paintingfacesandcreatingsmiles
- Face Painting by @christinapope
- Bouncy Houses by @montroserecreationdistrict
- Interactive fun with the @MontroseChildren`sMuseum
- Don`t miss the always-popular Funky Duck Race!
Make a day of it! Grab lunch from the Food Truck Village, explore local vendors, enjoy the river events, and stick around for the river parade and free concert.
Bring the whole family—we`ll see you at Func Fest!
Storms can move into the mountains with little warning, making it important to stay weather-aware during your adventure.
If you hear thunder, it`s a good time to head toward lower elevations, avoid exposed ridges, summits, and isolated trees, and seek shelter in a substantial building or vehicle if available.
Before heading out, check the forecast, keep an eye on changing conditions, and have a plan for when to turn around. A flexible itinerary helps ensure a safe and enjoyable day in the mountains.
#MontroseCO #ExploreMontrose
FUNC Fest is back August 7 & 8!
Join us for two days of outdoor adventure, live music, water sports competitions, a new FUNC-Y 5k from @mada, local vendors, food trucks, family activities, and plenty of FUN(C) along the Uncompahgre River.
Friday night kicks things off with a FREE concert at the Montrose Rotary Amphitheater, and Saturday brings a full day of excitement at Riverbottom Park, including kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, river surfing, the always-popular FUNC-y River Parade, kids activities, a beer garden, and more.
Whether you’re competing on the water or cheering from the riverbank, this is the river festival to be at.
Learn more, register for competitions, sign up as a vendor or volunteer, and view the full event schedule here: visitmontrose.com/events/fun-on-the-uncompahgre/
