Operating Hours
Open year-round.

Visitation
Highest between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Permits
No permit needed for backcountry hiking/camping. However, a Colorado fishing license is required for fishing within the park. Boats (motorized and registered vessels) must have a current Curecanti permit.

Visitors Center and Programs
Visitor Center: Elk Creek Visitor Center open mid-May - end of September, weekends throughout the winter (closed holidays). Lake Fork Visitor Center open Memorial Day - Labor Day. Cimarron Visitor Center open Memorial Day - Labor Day. There is also a narrow gauge train exhibit and Morrow Point Dam overview with kiosk.

Programs: Ranger-conducted porch talks and trout viewing pond are offered daily in the summer. Elk Creek, Lake Fork, Stevens Creek Amphitheaters present evening programs in summer. There are numerous theme hikes offered throughout the summer in a variety of park locations.

Food Supplies and Concessions
Food/Supplies: Restaurant (summer only) at Elk Creek; Convenience grocery (summer only) at Elk Creek and Lake Fork marinas.

Concessions: Boat Rentals in summer, 42 passenger tour boat (ranger guided) on Morrow Point Reservoir (summer only) and Guided Fishing trips.

Visitor Impact
Blue Mesa Lake's surface starts to freeze in late November, providing little access to boats. The surface of all three basins on the lake are usually frozen any time after late December. Ice thickness is usually safe for ice fishing on the Iola basin in January -- and winter fishing is excellent! Melting begins in April, with "ice out" (ice free conditions) as early as late April.

Additional Information