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.
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.
In his book, The Immense Journey, Loren Eisley wrote, "Once in a lifetime, perhaps, one escapes the actual confines of the flesh.
Developments include 5 campgrounds with 151 campsites and 3 boat-launch ramps. A concession-operated public marina located at the north end of the lake (970.667.1062).
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.
Recreation at Vega Dam and Reservoir, Collbran Project, is managed by the Colorado Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation under agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation. The park can be reached at 970-487-3407; e mail vega@csn.net.
Granby Dam and Lake Granby, features of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project are on the Colorado River near Granby, Colorado. Developments include 260 campsites and 3 boat-launch ramps.
Marys Lake Dikes, Colorado-Big Thompson Project, are 2 dikes on the shoreline of Marys Lake, 2 miles from Estes Park, Colorado.
Shadow Mountain Dam and Reservoir, Colorado-Big Thompson Project, are on the Colorado River below its confluence with the Grand Lake outlet. Developments include 1 campground with 80 campsites and 2 boat-launch ramps. Good access exists.
Bonny Dam and Reservoir are on the South Fork of the Republican River near Hale, Colorado just west of the Kansas border in Yuma County. Reservoir open 24 hours. Fair access roads.
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.
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.
Paonia Dam and Reservoir is part of the Paonia Project. Recreation at Paonia Reservoir is managed by the Colorado Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation under agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation.
Recreation at Ridgway Dam and Reservoir, Dallas Creek Project, is managed by the Colorado Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation under agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation. The park can be reached at 970-626-5822; e mail ridgway.park@state.co.us.
Recreation at Rifle Gap Dam and Reservoir, Silt Project, is managed by the Colorado Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation under agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation. The clear water at Rifle Gap Reservoir is excellent for scuba diving.
Vallecito Dam and Reservoir was completed in 1941 and is the principal feature of the Pine River Project in southwest Colorado.
The dam is on the western slope 13 miles southeast of Kremmling, Colorado, on the Blue River, a tributary of the Colorado. Recreational developments include 6 campgrounds, 208 campsites, and 2 boat-launch facilities. Good access. One swim beach.
Horsetooth Reservoir, Colorado-Big Thompson Project, furnishes the main water supply for the Poudre Valley. The reservoir is 6.5 miles long, and is formed by four large earthfill dams.
Recreation at Pueblo Reservoir is managed by the Colorado State Parks under agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation, Eastern Colorado Area Office, Loveland, Colorado.Pueblo Reservoir was created by Pueblo Dam which crosses the Arkansas River.
Ruedi Dam and Reservoir, features of the Fryingpan Arkansas Project, are on the Fryingpan River about 15 miles east of Basalt, 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.
Recreation at the three reservoirs of the Aspinall Unit is managed by the National Park Service under agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation, Western Colorado Area Office - Northern Division, Grand Junction, Colorado.
Recreation facilities consist of 8 campgrounds, accommodating 300 campsites and 2 boat-launching ramps. Surface available for recreation includes 780 acres. Primary recreation activities include camping and fishing.
Navajo Dam was completed in 1963. The reservoir is one of the four initial units of the Colorado River Storage Project, and is located in northwest New Mexico and southwest Colorado, about 34 east of Farmington, New Mexico.
Across western Colorado, the Dolores River runs from the rugged La Plata Mountains through deep-red canyons toward the Colorado River in Utah. The Dolores features outstanding scenic values, wildlife viewing, rare plants, and cultural resources.
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.
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.
John Martin Reservoir is located in high plains of southeast Colorado. It was completed in 1948 as a part of a comprehensive plan for flood damage reduction and water resources management in the Arkansas River Basin.
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.
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 the heart of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, approximately two to four hours west of Denver, lies the White River National Forest.