A single boat floating out in a reservoir. Mesas surrounding the area are reflected on the water.
Sapinero Basin NPS/Kat Connelly

Curecanti National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area · Colorado · National Park Service

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.

Plan your visit

Trails & hiking

Hiking · Horseback Riding · Snowshoeing

Camping

Camping · Backcountry Camping · Group Camping · RV Camping

Site types & reservations: see the official site.

Know before you go

Phone
9706412337
Official site
www.nps.gov
Managed by
National Park Service

Getting there

Directions on Google Maps →

Things to do

Highlights: Archeology · Commerce · Dams · Engineering · Explorers and Expeditions · Industry · Laborer and Worker · Military · US Army · Transportation · Canals · Tunnels · Trains and Railroads · Westward Expansion · Animals · Fish · Canyons and Canyonlands · Forests and Woodlands · Geology · Grasslands · Mountains · Night Sky · Astronomy · River and Riparian · Rock Landscapes and Features · Scenic Views · Thickets and Shrublands · Trails · Unique Species · Endangered · Volcanoes

Activities & features: Astronomy · Stargazing · Boating · Motorized Boating · Sailing · Jet Skiing · Canoe or Kayak Camping · Car or Front Country Camping · Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use) · Climbing · Rock Climbing · Fishing · Freshwater Fishing · Fly Fishing · Front-Country Hiking · Horse Trekking · Horse Camping (see also camping) · Hunting and Gathering · Hunting · Ice Skating · Paddling · Canoeing · Kayaking · Stand Up Paddleboarding · Junior Ranger Program · Skiing · Cross-Country Skiing · Snowmobiling · Swimming · Freshwater Swimming · Water Skiing · Wildlife Watching · Birdwatching · Shopping · Bookstore and Park Store · Gift Shop and Souvenirs

Photos

  • Underexposed shot of waves coming off a reservoir. Mesas in the background.
    NPS/Amy Washuta
  • Large pinnacle spires across a body of water
    NPS Photo
  • Tall spires alongside steep canyon walls. A narrow body of water flows below.
    NPS Photo
  • Frozen over body of water with snow covering it. Mesas are on the edge.
    NPS/J. Boerner-Mercier

Nearby parks

Parks of Colorado

Cheyenne Mountain State ParkNavajo State ParkHighline Lake State ParkLathrop State ParkJohn Martin Reservoir State ParkDinosaur National MonumentPaonia State ParkCastlewood Canyon State ParkRifle Gap State ParkFlorissant Fossil Beds National MonumentNorth Sterling State ParkYucca House National MonumentYampa River State ParkTrinidad Lake State ParkState Forest State ParkBarr Lake State ParkJackson Lake State ParkSweitzer Lake State ParkSpinney Mountain State ParkPearl Lake State ParkStagecoach State ParkSand Creek Massacre National Historic SiteRocky Mountain National ParkSanta Fe National Historic TrailSteamboat Lake State ParkHarvey Gap State ParkLake Pueblo State ParkRoxborough State ParkElkhead Reservoir State ParkStaunton State ParkEleven Mile State ParkGolden Gate Canyon State ParkVega State ParkMancos State ParkMesa Verde National ParkBent's Old Fort National Historic SiteRifle Falls State ParkSylvan Lake State ParkAmache National Historic SiteLory State ParkChatfield State ParkHovenweep National MonumentGreat Sand Dunes National Park & PreserveBoyd Lake State ParkColorado National MonumentFishers Peak State ParkCrawford State ParkBlack Canyon Of The Gunnison National ParkRidgway State ParkLone Mesa State ParkCherry Creek State ParkEldorado Canyon State ParkMueller State Park

54 parks mapped in Colorado

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Guides for the trip

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Sources: National Park Service, Google Places · updated 2026-08-12