Blue Mesa Reservoir is a prominent region in Gunnison County, Colorado, characterized by its expansive waters and diverse high desert landscape. As the largest body of water entirely within Colorado, it forms the centerpiece of the Curecanti National Recreation Area. The area's varied topography, including mesas, canyons, and the distinctive Dillon Pinnacles, provides a suitable environment for several outdoor sports like hiking, jogging, and mountain biking.
Blue Mesa Reservoir offers a variety ofā¦
29
Routes
5
(9)
Average rating
275
People visited

1
hikers
7.22km
02:02
150m
150m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

5.0
(1)
40
hikers
6.43km
02:08
300m
310m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(3)
26
hikers
6.18km
01:44
120m
120m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
11
hikers
3.71km
01:03
80m
80m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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42
riders
20.7km
02:51
390m
390m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

18
riders
36.1km
05:37
700m
700m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

11
riders
28.2km
04:18
470m
470m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

6
riders
25.6km
04:08
530m
530m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
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2
runners
6.18km
00:47
110m
110m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
runners
14.2km
01:45
290m
290m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.

1
runners
6.42km
00:56
270m
280m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.77km
00:29
80m
80m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Blue Mesa Reservoir is the largest body of water entirely within Colorado, located in Gunnison County. It serves as the centerpiece of the Curecanti National Recreation Area. The reservoir spans over 20 miles and features nearly 100 miles of shoreline.
Blue Mesa Reservoir offers a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, jogging, and mountain biking. The area also supports water-based recreation such as fishing, boating, windsurfing, waterskiing, paddleboarding, and kayaking. In winter, ice fishing is also possible.
Yes, Blue Mesa Reservoir features numerous hiking trails with varying difficulty levels. Popular options include the Dillon Pinnacles Trail, Rim Rock Trail, and Neversink Trail. More details can be found in the Hiking around Blue Mesa Reservoir guide.
The Blue Mesa Reservoir area provides varied terrain suitable for mountain biking. Options include designated cycling routes and thousands of miles of ATV trails that can also be utilized by mountain bikers. Explore routes in the MTB Trails around Blue Mesa Reservoir guide.
An extensive network of trails, ranging from easy to moderately strenuous, provides opportunities for jogging with scenic backdrops. The Neversink Trail is an easy, flat option ideal for birdwatching. For more options, consult the Running Trails around Blue Mesa Reservoir guide.
Yes, Blue Mesa Reservoir offers trails suitable for beginners and families. The Dillon Pinnacles Trail is an easy hike with captivating views. The Neversink Trail is another easy, flat, and wheelchair-accessible option along the Gunnison River.
The landscape features dramatic mesas and pinnacles within a high desert environment. Prominent features include the Dillon Pinnacles, which are craggy rock formations made of eroded volcanic material. Deep, narrow canyons and fjord-like lakes are also part of the Curecanti National Recreation Area.
The diverse ecosystems around Blue Mesa Reservoir support various wildlife. Visitors might encounter deer, elk, and numerous bird species. These include bald eagles, ospreys, and peregrine falcons.
Blue Mesa Reservoir is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 300 visitors having shared their experiences. The routes in the region have an average rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars. There are 3 total routes available for various sports.
Komoot offers several guides for the Blue Mesa Reservoir region. These include the Hiking around Blue Mesa Reservoir, Running Trails around Blue Mesa Reservoir, and MTB Trails around Blue Mesa Reservoir guides.
The official website for Blue Mesa Reservoir, as part of the Curecanti National Recreation Area, is managed by the National Park Service. The website address is https://www.nps.gov/cure/index.htm.
The phone number for the Curecanti National Recreation Area park headquarters, which oversees Blue Mesa Reservoir, is +1-970-641-2337. This number can be used for general inquiries about the area.

