Curecanti National Recreation Area
Blue Mesa Reservoir, 20 miles long, offers 10 vehicular-access and four boat-access campgrounds, boat ramps and water sports. Two marinas rent boats mid-May through September. Boat permits are required. A $4 fee provides boating access at the reservoir for 2 days; for 14 days the fee is $10; an annual pass is $30.
Fishing at Blue Mesa Reservoir yields kokanee salmon and rainbow, brown and Mackinaw trout. The largest Mackinaw trout are caught in April and May. Shore fishing for brown and rainbow trout is best in early spring and late fall. The best salmon fishing is usually late June through August. A Colorado fishing license is required.
Morrow Point and Crystal reservoirs, along US 50, offer backcountry hiking, fishing and hand-carried boating. Additional summer recreational activities include camping, seven hiking trails through Colorado's high country and a number of scenic overlooks and picnic areas for motorists. Winter recreation offers cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and ice fishing. Facilities are limited in winter. Admission to the recreation area is free. Phone (970) 641-2337.