Blue Mesa Reservoir is a water sport enthusiasts dream. The large, wide-open reservoir makes it perfect for boating, sailing, and messing around. It’s the place to enjoy water skiing, kayaking, stand-up paddle-boards, beach time, and for the hardy few, even swimming in the mid-summer months. But it's the deep water and big fish that makes Blue Mesa Reservoir well known.

​

The Elk Creek complex is the major facility of Blue Mesa Reservoir. It features the main marina, Pappy's Restaurant, a visitors center and campground. The marina offers in and out boat launching, a store, fish tackle, gasoline, boat rentals, kayaks, canoes, SUP's and boat slips.

The marina and the restaurant are only open in the summer, while the NPS visitors center and campground are open year-round. Elk Creek Marina is located 16 miles west of Gunnison on Highway 50. There is a well marked turn-off.