Things to do / Travel Guide
While the world of whitewater river rafters and Evel Knievel-class kayaking stunt artists tends to dominate Colorado Rockies paddling, several of the region's most relaxed rivers, lakes, and reservoirs offer pleasant paddles amidst the finest of the Colorado Rockies' panoramas.
Gunnison River
There is no motorized boat access for most of the quiet 50-mile-or-so stretch of the Gunnison River from Grand Junction in Northwest Colorado to Delta in Southwest Colorado. The pleasant paddle twists its tranquil way through captivating canyons of high red stone and shale walls. Amidst the cottonwood trees, a careful observer might spot blue herons, hawks, and eagles. If you're not ready to take on the full mileage, the river can be divided into approximately four 13-mile stretches with river access points at each end:
- Delta's Confluence Park to the bridge at Escalante
- the bridge at Escalante to Bridgeport Road
- Bridgeport Road to the whitewater boat access
- the whitewater boat access to the Redlands Power Dam
Curecanti National Recreation Area
Located at an elevation well-above 7,000 feet, Curecanti National Recreation Area in Southwest Colorado, just west of the town of Gunnison, offers three different fjord-like lake reservoirs for three slightly different kayaking flavors. The area's panoramic vistas, high-reaching, close-walled canyons, and deep blue waters make for a spectacular excursion no matter the lake you choose.
- Morrow Point Reservoir, 11 miles long and covering 820 acres, points like a finger to the entrance of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison River. Keep telling yourself it will be worth the workout as you descend the 232 steps (with your boat) into the canyon for a spectacular shove-off point.
- Encompassing around 9,000 acres, Blue Mesa Reservoir is Colorado's largest body of water (and also the largest Kokanee salmon fishery in the U.S.). Several snaky offshoots of this 20-mile-long reservoir will take you into isolated, quiet canyons.
Turquoise Lake and the Twin Lakes
On these crystal-clear, see-the-bottom lakes near the South-Central Colorado town of Leadville, you can paddle until your spirit soars and your arms ache. Located at a 10,500-foot altitude, 3,000-acre Turquoise Lake sits on the Continental Divide near Galena Mountain, while the 1,500-acre Twin Lakes are positioned at the base of Colorado's tallest peak, Mt. Ebert. Both options offer some of Colorado's most spectacular panoramic vistas of snow-capped peaks and alpine scenery. The sea kayaking excursions make wonderful and convenient day trips from Leadville.
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