Explore Colorado’s Morrow Point Dam for River Scenes You’ll Love

It has been a warm spring so far on the Western Slope, and the early snowmelt has opened up portions of the Western Slope in March that we usually can't explore until April or May, such as the Morrow Point Dam along the Gunnison River.

Located in the Curecanti National Recreation Area, Morrow Point Dam isn’t just an engineering feat — it’s one of the most breathtaking places to watch the Gunnison River carve through the Black Canyon.

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Morrow Point Dam — More Than Just a Viewpoint

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Hiking along the bottom of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison can be a very strenuous adventure. Driving an extra 20 miles past the National Park into Cimarron is a great way to access the Morrow Point Dam and see everything people love about the Black Canyon without having to hike down a 1300-foot cliff wall. The Morrow Point Dam rises 468 feet above the Gunnison River, surrounded by steep rock walls that feel almost unreal in person.

Why Colorado Travelers Can’t Stop Talking About This Spot

With all the river features located around the state, the Morrow Point Dam might be one that some are not familiar with, but it rivals views around the state for good reason. Unlike so many of the wide reservoirs in the area, the Gunnison flows through a tight canyon after flowing over the dam, sculpted by millions of years of erosion, making all the angles feel dramatic. No matter if you love photography, hiking, or scenic drives out of Montrose, this overlook and the Mesa Creek Trail make a strong case for Colorado’s best Gunnison River View.

What Makes This the “Best” Gunnison River View

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More than a scenic stop, Morrow Point Dam is an engineering landmark in Colorado. Completed in 1968 as part of the Wayne N. Aspinall Unit, it was the first concrete double‑arch dam built by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Its main job is hydroelectric power generation and water storage. This sense of depth and tight scale — almost vertical rock faces rising from deep water — is rare in Colorado and especially striking at dawn and dusk. For a higher view of the river and the dam from above, access CO 92 on the opposite side of the river. Overlooks like Pioneer Point and Hermit’s Rest also make for excellent photo opportunities over the Gunnison.