Wildlife Viewing in Gunnison, Colorado

Bird Watching	Mammals	Wildlife Viewing In National Recreation Areas	Wildlife Viewing In Wilderness Areas
Wildlife Viewing In Wildlife Preserves & Refuges

Bird Watching

Blue Mesa Reservoir

Three reservoirs, named for corresponding dams on the Gunnison River, form the heart of Curecanti National Recreation Area. Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout or Mackinaw, Brown Trout or German Trout, Brook Trout, and Kokanee Salmon are the most popular fish caught in these waters.

Cochetopa State Wildlife Area

This wildlife area runs north, straddling the Cochetopa Creek from Dome Lakes to the confluence of Los Pinos Creek. Fish and duck hunting are popular activities here.

Crystal Reservoir

Curecanti National Recreation Area

Three reservoirs, named for corresponding dams on the Gunnison River, form the heart of Curecanti National Recreation Area. Activities here range from hiking, camping, wildlife viewing, bird watching, boating, hunting, swimming, horseback riding, and fishing.

Dome Lakes State Wildlife Area

Fishing in the upper lake is fair for stocked rainbows and wild brown trout. The lower lake has a good population of wild brook trout.

Elk Creek Campground

This campground provides 73 individual campsites for visitors trailers/RVs. Forty five of these sites have electrical hook-ups, the remaining 28 have no hook-ups. There are an additional eight sites that are designated for tents only.

Gunnison River State Wildlife Area

Located on the northwest outskirts of Gunnison, this State Wildlife Area provides access to about one mile of river fishing. This stretch of the river is a quality brown trout fishery.

Lake Fork Campground

This campground provides 52 individual campsites for trailers/RVs. None of these sites have any hook-ups. There are an additional five sites that are designated for tents only.

Mesa Creek Trail

This 1.5 mile round-trip trail is rated as "easy-moderate". Fishing and boating access are all available at the Crystal Reservoir.

Morrow Point Reservoir

Pine Creek Trail

This two-mile round-trip trail is rated as "moderate-difficult". Fishing, camping, and boating access are all available at the Morrow Point Reservoir.

Sapinero State Wildlife Area

This wildlife area is critical winter range for deer and elk, but is open for hunting and camping.

Steven's Creek Campground

This is an accessible campground with 53 sites on the Blue Mesa Reservoir. Drinking water, vault toilets, campground amphitheater, boat ramp and fishing access are all provided.

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Mammals

Cabin Creek State Wildlife Area

The wildlife area is an important winter range for elk and deer.

Cebolla Creek State Wildlife Area

This State Wildlife Area is a 1,427 acre tract straddling Cebolla Creek south of Gunnison. The Cebolla Creek has a healthy population of self-sustaining brown trout and a few rainbows.

Centennial State Wildlife Area

This State Wildlife Area lies in sage-covered hills north of the Blue Mesa Reservoir. This area is critical winter range for a large herd of deer.

Cochetopa State Wildlife Area

This wildlife area runs north, straddling the Cochetopa Creek from Dome Lakes to the confluence of Los Pinos Creek. Fish and duck hunting are popular activities here.

Sapinero State Wildlife Area

This wildlife area is critical winter range for deer and elk, but is open for hunting and camping.

Spring Creek Reservoir State Wildlife Area

This reservoir lies in a long valley cradled by 12,000 foot peaks. Fishing is a popular pastime here.

West Elk Wilderness Area

This area encompasses more than 176,000 acres on the Gunnison National Forest. The area is Colorado's fifth largest wilderness area and offers a variety of recreation for visitors.

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Wildlife Viewing In National Recreation Areas

Blue Mesa Reservoir

Crystal Reservoir

Curecanti National Recreation Area

Elk Creek Campground

Lake Fork Campground

This campground provides 52 individual campsites for trailers/RVs. None of these sites have any hook-ups. There are an additional five sites that are designated for tents only.

Mesa Creek Trail

This 1.5 mile round-trip trail is rated as "easy-moderate". Fishing and boating access are all available at the Crystal Reservoir.

Morrow Point Reservoir

Pine Creek Trail

This two-mile round-trip trail is rated as "moderate-difficult". Fishing, camping, and boating access are all available at the Morrow Point Reservoir.

Steven's Creek Campground

This is an accessible campground with 53 sites on the Blue Mesa Reservoir. Drinking water, vault toilets, campground amphitheater, boat ramp and fishing access are all provided.

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Wildlife Viewing In Wilderness Areas

Raggeds Wilderness

The Raggeds Wilderness encompasses more than 59,000 acres on the Gunnison National Forest. The area offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities for visitors.

West Elk Wilderness Area

This area encompasses more than 176,000 acres on the Gunnison National Forest. The area is Colorado's fifth largest wilderness area and offers a variety of recreation for visitors.

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Wildlife Viewing In Wildlife Preserves & Refuges

Gunnison State Wildlife Area

This State Wildlife Area contains a large portion of the lower Beaver Creek Valley. Elk and deer migrate here in the winter from the high country.

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