Curecanti National Recreation Area
Gunnison · 102 Elk Creek, Gunnison, CO 81230
Location Details
Type
National Recreation Area
Setting
Exterior
Parking
Yes – Blue Mesa Reservoir access points
Power
No
Permit
Required
Visual Character
“Three reservoirs in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison river corridor — Blue Mesa Reservoir, the largest body of water in Colorado, surrounded by sagebrush mesa with dramatic canyon backdrops.”
About this location
Curecanti National Recreation Area in western Colorado encompasses three reservoirs — Blue Mesa, Morrow Point, and Crystal — along the Gunnison River below Black Canyon. Blue Mesa Reservoir, at 96 miles of shoreline, is Colorado's largest body of water and offers sweeping high-desert lake landscapes framed by sagebrush mesa. Morrow Point Reservoir, accessible only by boat or a steep trail, is wedged between dramatic canyon walls, providing a more intimate canyon-lake environment. Crystal Reservoir is narrow and dramatic. The location pairs naturally with nearby Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park for combined shooting days covering both deep canyon and open reservoir aesthetics. NPS commercial filming permits required; contact the park at 970-641-2337. Gunnison (10 miles) offers lodging and basic services. Crested Butte (30 miles) adds mountain character. A productive and scenic stop for any Colorado production routing through the western slope.
Where you'll be
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