Curecanti National Recreation Area

Curecanti National Recreation Area is a National Recreation Area located in the state of Colorado. Connected to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, the recreation area features canyons and historic buildings. Established on February 6, 1965, the 42,000 acre park receives over a million visitors every year.

History of the area
Like many of the other national parks and monuments in Colorado, the Ute tribe is known as one of the earliest settlers at what is now the Curecanti National Recreation Area. Years after they abandoned the site, European explorers went past the canyon while looking for a route to California. Fur trappers also went by the canyon, but left no record of doing so because of their inability to write. Eventually Americans would come to the south in droves, though cared very little in preserving the Black Canyon of the Gunnison area, instead focusing on making a buck by acquiring the resources around it. It wouldn't be until later when Americans came to the Colorado area not to make a profit but to instead preserve the natural beauties.

Visitor info
The Elk Creek Visitor Center, located in the recreation area, is available to those wanting to learn about the history of the area.

Activities
One popular activity is the Morrow Point Boat Tour. During the duration of the tour, a Park Ranger will guide people down the river for seven miles, explaining the history and geology of the canyon. The Morrow Point Boat Tour is not the only ranger led tour in the park. The Morrow Point Boat Tour is part of both the Curecanti National Recreation Area and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.