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.
"When the mountains are overthrown and the seas uplifted, the universe at Florissant flings itself against a gnat and preserves it."-- Dr. Arthur C. Peale, Hayden Expedition Geologist, 1873.
Nestled in southern Colorado, North America's tallest dunes rise over 750 feet high against the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The wind shaped dunes glow beneath the rugged backdrop of the mountains.
Mesa Verde, Spanish for "green table", offers an unparalleled opportunity to see and experience a unique cultural and physical landscape. The culture represented at Mesa Verde reflects more than 700 years of history. From approximately A.D. 600 through A.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Kremmling manages about 394, 000 acres of BLM land, in Jackson, Grand, Larimer, Eagle, and Summit Counties.
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.
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.
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.