Colorado GEM:
Curecanti National Recreation Area The surf’s never up at Colorado’s ocean, Blue Mesa Reservoir.
The Curecanti National Recreation Area parallels U.S. Hwy 50 between Gunnison and Montrose. It con- tains three reservoirs formed by dams on the Gunnison River—Blue Mesa, Morrow Point and Crystal. Blue Mesa Reservoir, 20 miles
long, offers 10 vehicular-access and four boat-access campgrounds, boat ramps and water sports. Two mari- nas rent boats and fi shing equip- ment mid-May through September. Boat permits are required. Fishing at Blue Mesa Reservoir
yields kokanee salmon and rainbow, brown and Mackinaw trout. The largest brown and Mackinaw trout are caught in April and May. Shore fi shing for rainbow trout is best in early spring and late fall. The best salmon fi shing is usually late June
through August. A Colorado fi shing license is required. Morrow Point and Crystal reser-
voirs, along SR 92, offer backcoun- try hiking, fi shing and hand-carried boating, as well as camping, and a number of scenic overlooks and pic- nic areas for motorists. Winter rec- reation offers cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and ice fi shing. Facilities may be limited in winter. Admission to the recreation area is free, except visitors traveling to East Portal through the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park entrance. For more information on the
Curecanti National Recreation Area visit
www.nps.gov/cure or call 970-641-2337. This is one of the Colorado GEMs
Morrow Point Reservoir at the Curecanti Needle.
listed in the AAA TourBook. GEMs are Great Experiences for Members— top picks for things to do or see in the state. Get the redesigned 2012 AAA TourBooks at any branch offi ce (see page 11 for locations) or online at
www.AAA.com/travel.
Wine? Check. Vineyards? Check. Wonderful people? Double check. We’ve got it all and more, but by all means come see for yourself.
EnCompass July/August 2012 23
© NPS/Lisa Lynch
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