Most Visited NPS Units in the Southwest: 19, Curecanti National Recreation Area

The popularity of Curecanti National Recreation Area is perhaps surprising since it has a rather out-of-the-way location along US 50 in Colorado's Rocky Mountains, adjoining the more spectacular but less visited Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. But lake-based preserves such as this offer the added attractions of fishing and boating, besides the scenery, which here is still impressive, a mix of wooded hills, deep valleys and rocky outcrops. The NRA contains three artificial lakes, of which Blue Mesa Reservoir is by far the largest. There are several campgrounds, and various trails and shoreline access points.

2014 Visitation: 931,367
Curecanti National Recreation Area - full description