The Black Canyon of the Gunnison's unique and spectacular landscape was formed slowly by the action of water and rock scouring down through hard Proterozoic crystalline rock.
Established May 24, 1911, and on 20, 453.
Three reservoirs, named for corresponding dams on the Gunnison River, form the heart of Curecanti National Recreation Area. Panoramic mesas, fjord-like reservoirs, and deep, steep and narrow canyons abound.
Established on January 26, 1915, Rocky Mountain National Park is a living showcase of the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains.
Lemon Dam was completed in 1963 and is the principal feature of the Florida Project in southwest Colorado. The Florida Project is one of the initial group of participating projects authorized with the Colorado River Storage Project.
Lake Estes, a feature of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project, is formed by Olympus Dam constructed across the Big Thompson River.
Recreation at Horsethief Canyon is managed by the Colorado Division of Wildlife under agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation, Western Colorado Area Office - Northern Division, Grand Junction, Colorado.
Crawford Reservoir was created by Crawford Dam which crosses Iron Creek, a tributary of the Smith Fork of the Gunnison River. The reservoir is part of the Smith Fork Project.
Recreation at Jackson Gulch Reservoir (Mancos State Park) is managed by the Colorado Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation under agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation, Western Colorado Area Office - Southern Division, Durango, Colorado.
McPhee Reservoir was completed in 1985 and is the principal feature of the Dolores Project in southwestern Colorado. The Dolores Project is a participating project authorized with the Colorado River Storage Project.
Vallecito Dam and Reservoir was completed in 1941 and is the principal feature of the Pine River Project in southwest Colorado.
Navajo Dam, at an elevation of 6, 085 feet, was completed in 1963 and is the principal storage feature for the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project.
If your choice for adventures includes remote backcountry activities, then Gunnison Gorge, north of Montrose, is the place for you. It provides kayaking, rafting, hiking, primitive camping, and great trout fishing.
The Colorado River runs though Ruby Canyon into Utah. Rafting is the primary recreational activity. The canyon is very scenic, but is generally accessible only by river.
This 80-mile route follows the Colorado River from its headwaters to State Bridge. You can visit the historic village of Grand Lake, learn about early family life in Grand County, or stop at Inspiration Point overlook to view the Gore Canyon.
The Bureau of Land Management cares for 600, 000 acres of public land in the upper Gunnison River basin in southwest Colorado.
Travel on a historic, narrow-gauge railroad bed, an old stage road, and a county road on the Gold Belt Scenic Byway. The Byway retraces the historic travel routes connecting Cripple Creek and Victor Mining District, site of the world's largest Gold Rush.
The Arkansas River is one of the most popular river-rafting spots in the United States. The area also provides some of the best fishing in Colorado.
The Colorado Canyons National Conservation Area contains many nationally significant resources including outstanding scenery, cultural and paleontological values, naturalness, recreation values, wildlife, and geologic and scientific values.
Cherry Creek Dam, located at the southeast edge of Denver in Aurora, CO, was the first of the three dams to be built to protect the Denver region from catastrophic South Platte River floodwaters that plagued the area for more than 100 years.
Trinidad Lake is a multipurpose project for flood control, irrigation and recreation. Trinidad is in the heart of historic coal mining country. The community of Cokedale, just northwest of the lake was named for its coke ovens.
Chatfield Dam, located southwest of Denver on the South Platte River, was the second of three dams built to protect the Denver region from floods.
Bear Creek Dam, the last of three dams built to protect the Denver region from floods, is located on the southwest edge of suburban Lakewood at the confluence of Bear Creek and Turkey Creek.
Located in central Colorado, lies Pike and San Isabel National Forests.
For the outdoor enthusiast, the Rio Grande National Forest has recreation and adventure opportunities for the heartiest of souls, or enjoy the backcountry from the Cumbres & Toltec Narrow Gauge Railroad which runs from Antonio, Colorado across the Forest
Located in the Rocky Mountains and foothills of north central Colorado, are the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland. Some campgrounds can be found as high as 12, 000'.
Located in Colorado, the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest, with almost 3, 000, 000 acres, is the third largest National Forest in the contiguous United States, extending into ten Colorado counties.
Welcome to the San Juan National Forest, a region of forested mountains, 14, 000-foot peaks, scenic roads, geological wonders, historic and prehistoric communities, and a narrow-gauge railroad.
Located in the heart of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, approximately two to four hours west of Denver, lies the White River National Forest.