An entrance pass is not required to access Curecanti National Recreation Area.
Other National Park Service sites may require an entrance pass or fee. Depending on your trip plans, an interagency pass may save you money.
The renovated Elk Creek Visitor Center has boat permits, national park passes, and camping permits available for purchase.
NPS Image by Ed LaCasse
Curecanti has no entrance fees.
Fees for camping and boating at Curecanti increased on January 1, 2024.Read here for more details.
Campground Fees
Campsites may be reserved and paid for on recreation.gov for the campgrounds at Elk Creek, Lake Fork, East Elk Creek, and Red Creek. Campsites may also be reserved and paid for at the campgrounds and the Elk Creek Visitor Center. Those with a Senior or Access Pass receive a 50% discount on campground fees.
A permit is required for all motorized vessels on Blue Mesa Reservoir. Boat permits are available online at Recreation.gov. They are also available at boat launches around Blue Mesa (7-day permits only). Those with a Senior or Access Pass receive a 50% discount.
Type of Permit
Cost
Seasonal
$40
7-Day
$20
Boaters must purchase their permits at Recreation.gov (preferably) or at the self-pay stations at each boat ramp (Iola, Stevens Creek, Elk Creek, or Lake Fork). After purchase, please present proof of purchase (digital receipt, printed receipt, or envelope stub) to the crew at one of the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) inspection stations in order to receive the actual permit decal.
Boaters can purchase their 7-day permits at the Iola, Stevens Creek, Elk Creek and Lake Fork boat ramps through the self-pay stations. The seasonal permits are only available through Recreation.gov.
Interagency Passes
The following passes are available at the Elk Creek Visitor Center or online at the USGS Store.
Passes are also available at the following locations in Gunnison:
Bureau of Land Management Gunnison Field Office
Address: 2500 E. New York Ave, Gunnison, CO 81230
Phone: (970) 642-4940
Hours: 8 am to 4:30 pm Mon-Fri, except Federal Holidays
US Forest Service Gunnison Ranger District Office
Address: 216 N. Colorado, Gunnison, CO 81230
(970) 641-0471
Hours: 8 am to 4 pm Mon-Fri, except Federal Holidays
2024 Annual Pass
Annual Pass
The Interagency Annual Pass is valid for all National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service entrance fees, and Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and Forest Service sites that charge a standard amenity fee. (This pass is not valid for other National Park Service fees such as camping, boat tours or boat permits).
Cost: $80
Available for:
Everyone
Additional Information:
This pass permits entry for the pass holder and accompanying passengers in a single, private, noncommercial vehicle at parks that charge a per vehicle entrance fee.
This pass is non-transferable to another person.
The Interagency Annual Pass is valid for one year from the month of purchase
2024 Annual Military Pass
Annual Military Pass
Active-duty members of the US military and their dependents qualify for a free Interagency Annual Military Pass. The military pass covers the same fees as the standard $80 Interagency Annual Pass. Identification card is required to obtain the pass
Cost: Free
Available for:
Current US military members and their dependents in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force, as well as Reserve and National Guard members
How to obtain:
Please check requirements before arriving, such as showing a Common Access Card (CAC) or Military ID (Form 1173).
Additional Information:
Passes may not be issued as gifts since eligible recipient must present proof of eligibility.
Veterans and Gold Star Families qualify for a free Interagency Lifetime Military Pass. The military pass covers the same fees as the standard $80 Interagency Annual Pass. Identification card is required to obtain the pass.
Cost: Free
Available for:
Gold Star Families
Veterans
How to obtain:
For Gold Star Families:
Download and print a special voucher to either present to the ranger, exchange for a Military Pass in person, or place on the vehicle dashboard at unstaffed sites. Gold Star Vouchers may be downloaded from https://www.nps.gov/customcf/goldstar/voucher.htm
For Veterans:
Present one of the following forms of ID:
Department of Defense Identification Card (CAC Card, DD Form 2, DD Form 2765)
Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
Veteran ID Card
Veterans designation on a state-issued U.S.driver’s license or identification card
Additional Information:
Passes may not be issued as gifts since eligible recipient must present proof of eligibility.
Every Kid Outdoors was created so fourth graders and their families could discover our wildlife, resources, and history for free.Fourth graders were chosen because research shows that kids ages nine to 11 are beginning to learn about the world around them. They’re open to new ideas, and they are likely to connect to nature and our history. These passes are offered to fourth graders every year. Over time, every kid can get a free pass to explore our country.
Cost: Free
Available for:
US 4th graders, including home-schooled and free-choice learners 10 years of age, with a valid Every Kid Outdoors paper pass.
Valid for the duration of the 4th grader's school year though the following summer (September-August).
The Senior Pass (Lifetime or Annual) is available to persons who are at least 62 years of age and citizens or permanent residents of the United States. A lifetime pass has a one-time charge of $80. An annual pass may be renewed annually for a $20 charge, and current or expired annual passes may be used to upgrade to a lifetime pass.
Cost:
$80 lifetime
$20 annual
Available for:
US citizens or permanent residents ages 62 or over. Applicants must provide documentation of age and residency or citizenship.
Additional Information:
The Senior Pass may provide a 50% discount on some amenity fees charged for facilities and services such as camping and boat permits.
Golden Age Passports are no longer sold. However, these passes will continue to be honored according to the provisions of the pass.
Passes may not be purchased as gifts since eligible recipient must present proof of eligibility.
2024 Access Pass
Access Pass
The Interagency Access Pass is a lifetime pass available without charge to persons who are blind or permanently disabled and citizens or permanent residents of the United States.
Cost: Free
Available for:
US citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities.
Applicants must provide documentation of permanent disability and residency or citizenship.
Documentation examples: statement by a licensed physician; document issued by Federal agency such as the Veteran's Administration, Social Security Disability Income or Supplemental Security Income; or document issued by a State agency such as a vocational rehabilitation agency.
Additional Information:
The Access Pass may provide a 50% discount on some amenity fees charged for facilities and services such as camping and boat permits. There is not a discount on the electric service in Elk Creek Campground.
Passes may not be purchased as gifts since eligible recipient must present proof of eligibility.
Golden Access Passports are no longer sold. However, these passes will continue to be honored according to the provisions of the pass.
