Morrow Point Reservoir

Morrow Point Reservoir fills a narrow, 12-mile-long slot in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, creating one of the most dramatic paddling destinations in Colorado. The reservoir is part of the Curecanti National Recreation Area and is impounded by Morrow Point Dam, a 468-foot double-curvature arch dam — the first of its kind built in the United States. Sheer canyon walls rise hundreds of feet on either side of the water, giving kayakers and canoeists a perspective of the Black Canyon that most visitors only glimpse from the rim overlooks along Highway 92.

Access requires commitment. The Pine Creek Trail drops 232 steep stone-and-timber steps from the trailhead down to the water, following a two-mile round-trip route along an abandoned Denver & Rio Grande narrow-gauge railroad bed. Hand-carried watercraft only are permitted, so kayaks and canoes are the standard craft. A free backcountry use permit, available at the Pine Creek trailhead, is required before launching. Once on the water, paddlers glide beneath the Curecanti Needle, a 700-foot granite spire that has become one of the signature landmarks of the Gunnison country.

Six boat-in campsites — two developed and four primitive — line the reservoir for overnight trips, though many paddlers treat it as a challenging day outing. Fluctuating dam releases can change water levels and current speed, so checking with the National Park Service before launching is strongly advised. Kokanee salmon, brown trout, rainbow trout, and lake trout inhabit the deep, cold water, and trophy-class fish are pulled from the reservoir each season. Highway 92 and the Hermits Rest overlook provide stunning views for those who prefer to stay above the rim.