Operating Hours & Seasons

Park Hours

Curecanti National Recreation Area is normally open year-round, 24 hours a day. Some facilities have limited hours during winter.

Seasonal Dates

NOTICE: As of February 19, 2025, the following facilities are CLOSED until further notice:

All Curecanti campgrounds, except loops A and D at Elk Creek Campground
All Curecanti boat ramps and boat inspection stations, except Elk Creek when ice conditions allow

Dates are subject to change based on weather and other circumstances. Hours for the visitor center and watercraft inspection stations vary depending on the season. Fish cleaning stations could close early due to freezing temperatures overnight.

Visitor Center	2024 Dates
Elk Creek Visitor Center	Year-round, hours vary

Campground	2024 Dates
Cimarron	May 15–Oct 18
Dry Gulch	May 15–late Nov
East Elk Creek	May 15–Oct 12
Elk Creek	Year-round (Loops A & D)
East Portal	May 15–mid Nov
Gateview	May–late Oct
Lake Fork	Year-round
Ponderosa	May 15–late Nov
Red Creek	May 15–Sep 30
Stevens Creek	May 15–Sep 30

Fish Cleaning Stations	2024 Dates
Elk Creek	July–Sep 30
Iola	July–Sep 30
Lake Fork	Aug–Sep 30
Stevens Creek	July–Sep 30

Watercraft Inspection Stations	2024 Dates
Elk Creek	Apr 11–Dec 15
Iola	May 9–Oct 19
Lake Fork	Mar 25–Dec 15

Elk Creek Visitor Center

This visitor center provides information, exhibits, book and map sales, restrooms, and outdoor seating. Water is available inside when the building is open.

Closed today

Sunday:Closed
Monday-Friday:9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Saturday:Closed

The visitor center is open weekdays from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm with a lunch closure from 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm. Hours and days of operations are subject to change, due to staffing levels. The visitor center is closed on weekends and federal holidays.

Closures & Seasonal Exceptions

Early January Hours

January 1–January 19

Sunday and Monday:9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Tuesday and Wednesday:Closed
Thursday-Saturday:9:00 AM–4:00 PM

The visitor center is open Thursday through Monday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm with a lunch closure from 12-12:30 pm. It is also closed on federal holidays.

Summer Hours

May 26–October 13

Sunday and Monday:8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Tuesday and Wednesday:Closed
Thursday-Saturday:8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Summer hours are typically from Memorial Day to mid-October.

Holidays

2025–2026

Holiday	Date	Hours
New Year's Day	January 1, 2026	Closed
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.	January 19, 2026	Closed
Washington's Birthday	February 16, 2026	Closed
Memorial Day	May 26, 2025	8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Juneteenth National Independence Day	June 19, 2025	8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Independence Day	July 4, 2025	8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Labor Day	September 1, 2025	8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Columbus Day	October 13, 2025	Closed
Veterans Day	November 11, 2025	Closed
Thanksgiving Day	November 27, 2025	Closed
Christmas Day	December 25, 2025	Closed

A brown and grey building with a concrete ramp and entrance sign with NPS arrowhead.

Boat Ramps & Watercraft Inspections

Get information about boat ramp hours and where to go for a required watercraft inspection.

Elk Creek campground just before night falls

Camping

There are ten different campgrounds to choose from in Curecanti.

Last updated: February 19, 2025

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

102 Elk Creek
Gunnison, CO 81230

Phone:

970 641-2337 x205
This phone is not monitored when the building is closed. If you are having an emergency, call 911.

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