Curecanti is part of six game management units. Hunters are responsible for knowing the boundaries of their unit. Visit the Colorado hunting atlas for more information.
Park Regulations
- A valid Colorado State hunting license is required.
- Shooting from vehicles is illegal.
- Hunters must wear fluorescent orange including a head covering.
- It is illegal to abandon wounded animals or to remove only parts of a carcass.
- Hunters are responsible for knowing all regulations before hunting.
- Hunters must be a minimum of 100 yards away from any road, trail, campground, picnic area, facility, or other developed area to discharge a weapon. Use map to see areas closed to hunting.
- Do not shoot toward, across, or from any visitor use area.
- The discharge of a weapon from, towards, or across the frozen surface of the main body of Blue Mesa Reservoir is prohibited. This restriction does not apply to the area upstream of the "no wake" buoys in Soap Creek, West Elk, Lake Fork, and Cebolla arms.
- Bears may frequent campgrounds. Proper food/trash storage is required.
Restricted Areas
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Elk Creek to Lake City Bridge (hwy149)
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Lake City Bridge (hwy149) to Neversink
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May 1-
Sept 30
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ONLY shotguns for bird/small game; bows for big game
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ONLY shotguns for bird/small game; bows for big game
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Oct 1-
April 30
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All legal methods permitted for all species in accordance with state law
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ONLY shotgun/rifle for bird/small game; bows for big gameCampgrounds
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Campgrounds with trash pickup, vault toilets, fire grates, and picnic tables are available at Elk Creek, Dry Gulch, Red Creek, Cimarron, and Ponderosa. Water is typically not available past mid-September.
Horses may be used on the Dillon Pinnacles trail to access the West Elk Wilderness north of Curecanti. Horse corrals are located at Dry Gulch and Ponderosa campgrounds. Picketing, hobbling or tying livestock to natural features such as trees is prohibited. All hay utilized in Curecanti must be certified as weed free in compliance with Gunnison County standards.
OHV/ATV Regulations
Off-road vehicle (OHV) travel is prohibited. All-terrain vehicles are permitted below high water line of Blue Mesa Reservoir where access is by road. All-terrain vehicles are allowed at the following campgrounds only for the purpose of accessing Forest Service roads during big game hunting season: East Elk Creek Groupsite, Red Creek, and Ponderosa. Other use on park roads is prohibited.
Be Safe During Hunting Season
- Tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return.
- Have a map and compass and know how to use them.
- Be prepared for changing weather conditions and emergencies; carry a survival kit.
- Beware of elevation changes and carry plenty of water.
- Be extra cautious of other hunters, hikers and recreation area users.
- Be careful with fires; extinguish campfires completely.
- Report all accidents and illegal hunting activity to a park ranger.
