Changes In Campground Fees At Black Canyon And Curecanti

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Curecanti National Recreation Area, and other National Park Service units that collect entrance and recreation fees from park visitors conducted public engagement last year to seek comments on possible changes in fees. As a result of public comment, the need to better support our facilities, and the desire to not undercut the prices of privately owned campgrounds in the area, some changes will occur this summer season.

Both Black Canyon and Curecanti will increase campground fees as follows:

South Rim Campground at Black Canyon will increase from $12 to $16 for non-electric sites and from $18 to $22 for sites with electricity. North Rim and East Portal campground fees will also increase from $12 to $16.

Black Canyon entrance fees will not change. They remain $15 for a 1-7 day pass and $30 for an annual pass. Those who walk or bicycle into the park without a vehicle will be charged $7 for a 1-7 day pass.

Elk Creek, Lake Fork, and Stevens Creek campgrounds will increase from $12 to $16 with the electric sites at Elk Creek going up from $18 to $22. Curecanti does not charge an entrance fee. Boat permits have not changed from their $4 for 2 days, $10 for 2 weeks, and $30 per year.

Other changes include a raise in the Morrow Point Boat Tour from $16 for adults and $8 for children to $24 for adults and $12 for children. Short-term parking for trailers in the Elk Creek Visitor Center parking lot now requires a permit available from the Elk Creek Visitor Center.  Long-term boat parking will be managed by the Elk Creek Marina.

Under the authority of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, Black Canyon and Curecanti retain 80% of the recreation fees they collect. Fee revenues from entrance stations and campgrounds have provided funding for many projects and staffing since 2010. All of the projects focused on improvements to visitor services, facilities, and visitor safety. Recent examples include replacing outdoor lighting, replacing signs on park roads, replacing entrance signs, providing campground operations, paying for campground utilities, and replacing docks.

For questions about fees for both Black Canyon and Curecanti, please call the Elk Creek Visitor Center at 970-641-2337, ext. 205.