Gateway Lakes
Rate this placeNearby: Greeley West Park Woodbriar Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Gateway Lakes is a scenic area located in the state of Colorado, which offers plenty of reasons to visit.
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Summary
The area is home to several beautiful lakes, including Blue Mesa Reservoir, Morrow Point Reservoir, and Crystal Reservoir, which are perfect for fishing, boating, and hiking. Additionally, the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is located nearby, providing visitors with an opportunity to explore the tallest dunes in North America.
One of the most popular points of interest in the Gateway Lakes area is the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. This park offers stunning views of the 2,700-foot-deep canyon, which was formed by the Gunnison River over millions of years. Visitors can hike and explore the park's trails, including the challenging South Rim Trail, which provides panoramic views of the canyon.
Other notable attractions in the Gateway Lakes area include the Curecanti National Recreation Area, which features three reservoirs, numerous hiking trails, and opportunities for camping and water sports. The area also boasts several historic sites, including the Ute Indian Museum and the Rim Rock Drive, a scenic highway that winds through the Colorado National Monument.
The best time to visit Gateway Lakes depends on what activities you plan to do. Summer is a popular time to visit for water sports and hiking, while fall offers stunning views of the changing leaves and wildlife. Winter is ideal for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and spring is perfect for fishing and camping.
Overall, Gateway Lakes is a beautiful area that offers plenty of outdoor activities and stunning scenery for visitors to enjoy. Whether you're interested in hiking, fishing, or simply taking in the natural beauty of Colorado, Gateway Lakes is definitely worth a visit.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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