Boat Ramps & Watercraft Inspections

 

Inspection stations are labeled with large yellow signs.

NPS Photo

 

Boat Launch & Inspection Stations

Inspection station hours change seasonally. Check below for current availability.

Inspection Location/Ramp	Status	2024 Dates	2024 Hours (change seasonally)	Notes
Elk Creek	Open	Apr 11–Dec 15 (estimated)	5:30 am–9 pm
Iola	Open	May 9–TBD	7 am–3 pm
Lake Fork	Open	Mar 25–Dec 15 (estimated)	7 am–4:30 pm
Ponderosa	Closed	N/A	N/A	Hand-launched craft only.
Stevens Creek	Closed	N/A	N/A	Hand-launched craft only.

 

 

Watercraft Inspections

Colorado is a mandatory boat inspection state. All trailered and/or motorized watercraft are required before entering the water to be inspected by certified personnel if:

• The boat has been in any water body that is positive or suspect for aquatic invasive species (AIS).
• The boat has been in any water body outside of Colorado.
• The boat will be entering any water body where inspections are required.

Blue Mesa Reservoir

Motorized and trailered watercraft launching in Blue Mesa Reservoir are required to be inspected for aquatic invasive species prior to launching, and if necessary, decontaminated in accordance with procedures set by the Colorado Parks & Wildlife. In addition to the mandatory inspection prior to launch, boaters are strongly encouraged to get an exit inspection to verify the watercraft is cleaned, drained, and dried. Exit inspections from Blue Mesa Reservoir, which provide an unbroken seal and white receipt, greatly reduce the time for re-entrance on any Colorado waters.

Watercraft that does not need inspection:

• Hand-launched and hand-powered vessels that meet Clean, Drain, Dry requirements. These watercraft are not required to launch at a boat ramp, but trailers cannot enter the water.

Watercraft that needs inspection:

• All other watercraft require inspection before launching. Some examples include (but are not limited to) house boats, cabin cruisers, pontoon boats, large open boats, small open boats with a gas or electric motor, ski boats, wakeboard boats, sailboats, personal watercraft (jet skis), and any watercraft that requires the trailer to enter the water. Watercraft that meet these criteria are required to launch from the designated boat ramps at Elk Creek, Lake Fork, or Iola.

Special Authorizations

• Some watercraft may be launched at Iola, Old Stevens, North Willow, Bay of Chickens, Dillon Pinnacles, and Sapinero beaches with prior inspection from designated boat ramps at Elk Creek, Lake Fork, or Iola. The following types of watercraft may qualify: small to medium sailboats, hand-launched craft with small outboard or electric motors a gas powered/water cooled motor, and other small shore-launched boats. Watercraft are required to arrive at an inspection station before closing to get an exit inspection.

• If you have any questions about which watercraft need inspection, visit an inspection station at the designated boat ramps. Times vary by season; check availability at the top of the page.

Morrow Point and Crystal

Motorized and hand-trailered watercraft launching in Morrow Point and Crystal Reservoirs may be launched without an inspection if your watercraft is registered in Colorado, has not been out of state waters within the last 30 days, has not been in infested waters, and does not contain aquatic invasive species. If your watercraft does not meet all above criteria as designated by state law, it must be inspected at the designated boat ramps at Elk Creek, Lake Fork, or Iola.

 

Zebra mussels detected in Colorado River

In 2024, the Colorado River tested positive for zebra mussels around the Grand Junction area. Prevent the transport of AIS to Curecanti by making sure you clean, drain, and dry your watercraft before you arrive. The park encourages boaters to get an inspection when leaving the Colorado River before launching elsewhere.

 

Watercraft inspection at Lake Fork

NPS Photo

Be Prepared

Follow these steps to streamline the watercraft inspection process at Curecanti.

• Turn your vehicle off, set the parking brake, exit the vehicle, and answer the inspector's questions.
• Follow Clean, Drain, Dry procedures.
• Be prepared to lower outdrive motors.
• Pull bilge plugs; turn on bilge pump(s), drain compartments that could store water such as live wells, bait wells, and ballast systems; check anchor(s) or other equipment that touched the water.
• Have compartments and recreational equipment readily accessible.

Watercraft with a Colorado green seal, (an attached untampered wire from the boat to a welded part of the trailer) and white receipt from a negative water with no aquatic invasive species (AIS) should expect an expedited launch but must still come through inspection.

All boats coming from Colorado waters with blue receipts (positive waters with AIS detections), out of state waters, unsealed, or broken seals will need to be inspected prior to launch and possibly decontaminated. Highline Lake State Park is infested with zebra mussels. Other state waters have AIS such as Eurasian Watermilfoil and New Zealand Mudsnail. All Colorado waters with AIS will have a green seal with a blue receipt marking which AIS is present.

Protect Recreational Waters

The National Parks Service and Colorado Parks and Wildlife consider Aquatic Invasive Species, or Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS), mitigation a critical part of resource protection. Watercraft and equipment decontaminations are free of charge. Please help us prevent further spread of harmful species to our waters.