Directions

U.S. Highway 50 Middle Bridge Closure

Curecanti National Recreation Area is open. Visitors traveling between Montrose and Gunnison should be aware of the Middle Bridge construction on U.S. Highway 50.

Starting October 16, 2024, the bridge will be open 24 hours, seven days a week for alternating one-way traffic. All legal loads are allowed. For more information, visit the Colorado Department of Transportation website.

 

Curecanti is in southwest Colorado between the towns of Gunnison (to the east), Montrose (to the west), and Lake City (to the south). The West Elk Mountain Wilderness Area borders Curecanti to the north. U.S. Highway 50 and CO Highway 29 run through the recreation area and provide access to marinas, campgrounds, and trailheads.

From Montrose, CO
Take U.S. Highway 50 east towards Gunnison. There are several access points along the state highway. The highway crosses over the recreation area on two bridges – Lake Fork Bridge and Middle Bridge.

From Gunnison, CO
Take U.S. Highway 50 west towards Montrose. The park boundary begins shortly after leaving Gunnison. There are several access points along the state highway.

From Crawford, CO
Take CO Highway 92 south. There are overlooks and trailheads along the way before reaching Lake Fork Marina. At the junction with U.S. Highway 50, head west to access Cimarron or east to access Elk Creek and Blue Mesa Reservoir.

Transportation Options

Most visitors arrive by private vehicle. Public transportation is not available in Curecanti. Bus and airplane service is available in Gunnison and Montrose.

Electric Charging Station
An electric vehicle charging station is located at the southern edge of the Elk Creek Marina parking lot, near the ramp to the marina.

 

Distances to Curecanti

All distances are approximate and measured from Elk Creek (located centrally in Curecanti).

Location	Distance (miles)	Distance (kilometers)
Gunnison	9 mi	14.5 km
Montrose	38 mi	61.2 km
Denver	209 mi	336.4 km
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park	36 mi	57.9 km
Rocky Mountain National Park	258 mi	415.2 km
Mesa Verde National Park	180 mi	289.7 km
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve	168 mi	270.4 km
Colorado National Monument	113 mi	181.9 km
Dinosaur National Monument (Colorado side)	226 mi	363.7 km
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument	157 mi	252.7 km
Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site	240 mi	386.2 km
Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site	300 mi	482.8 km
Amache National Historic Site	310 mi	498.9 km
Hovenweep National Monument (Colorado Sites)	200 mi	321.9 km
Yucca House National Monument	195 mi	313.8 km