Paonia State Park
State Park in Crawford, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
P O Box 147
Crawford, CO 81415
United States
Contact:
970-921-5721
Paonia State Park
State Park in Crawford, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
P O Box 147
Crawford, CO 81415
United States
Contact:
970-921-5721
Paonia State Park
Welcome to Paonia State Park
Nestled at an elevation of 6,500 feet beneath the majestic Ragged Mountains, Paonia offers a picturesque alpine escape for camping, picnicking and outdoor photography. With the Gunnison National Forest enveloping Paonia State Park, visitors can immerse themselves in spectacular mountain scenery. Whether you're here for a day of sightseeing, picnicking or for an overnight camping experience, the park invites you to savor the beauty of the surroundings and make the most of your visit.
1,857
acres
334
surface-acre reservoir
2
picnic areas
20
campsites
Directions
Accessing the Park
The park is located approximately 16 miles northeast of the town of Paonia on State Highway 133.
From Glenwood Springs
From Glenwood Springs, take Colorado Highway 82 south to Carbondale, then south and southwest on Colorado Highway 133 for 46 miles to the park. Anthracite Campground is located on County Road 12, Kebler Pass Road.
Paonia State Park does not have an office or a Visitor Center. The Visitor Center at Crawford State Park also serves Paonia State Park.
The Crawford Visitor Center is located on the east side of the park.
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
The boat ramp is on the north end of the reservoir on County Road 2.
Fees and Passes
Pass |
Description |
Duration |
Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Daily Vehicle Pass |
Single vehicle and its occupants |
1 Day |
$10 |
|
Individual Daily Pass |
For individual entry on foot, bicycle, horseback, etc at select parks |
1 Day |
$4 |
|
DMV vehicle registration renewal option for Colorado residents |
12 Months |
$29 |
|
|
Annual Vehicle Pass (Affixed) |
Pass for a single vehicle and its occupants |
12 Months |
$80 |
|
Family Annual Pass (Hang Tag) |
Members of the same household |
12 Months |
$120 |
|
Aspen Leaf Annual Pass |
Visitors 64+ |
12 Months |
$70 |
|
Centennial Pass |
Income-eligible Colorado residents |
12 Months |
$14 |
|
Columbine Pass |
Colorado residents with disabilities |
12 Months |
$14 |
|
Veterans License Plate |
DMV vehicle registration renewal option for military veterans (disabled veterans or purple heart plates) |
Lifetime |
Free |
|
Independence Lifetime Pass |
Colorado resident veterans with disabilities |
Lifetime |
Free |
|
Blue Spruce Pass |
Colorado resident first responders with disabilities |
Lifetime |
$10 |
Nature and Wildlife
The park's higher elevations are covered with a mix of conifer and aspen forests, along with Gambel oak shrublands. Trees such as ponderosa pine, Rocky Mountain juniper, Douglas fir, Colorado blue spruce, Rocky Mountain maple and aspen are prevalent in these areas. The diverse habitats attract a variety of migratory and resident birds, including raptors, waterfowl and shorebirds. The park serves as a common winter range for large animals, and it's common to spot mule deer and elk. You may encounter other mammals like cottontail rabbits, marmots, raccoons, skunks, coyotes and ground squirrels.
Be on the Lookout for Birds
Can you spot all the resident and visiting bird species? Download the Bird List Brochure (PDF).
Birds You Might Find
- Turkey Vulture
- Gray Catbird
- Black-billed Magpie
- Green-tailed Towhee
Mammals You Might Find
- Elk
- Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel
- Marmot
- Striped Skunk
Reptiles and Amphibians You Might Find
- Prairie Rattlesnake
Geology at This Park
Nestled in a narrow canyon between the Ruby Range, Raggeds Wilderness and Grand Mesa, Paonia boasts a 334-acre reservoir primarily fed by Muddy Creek flows. The park showcases two significant geologic formations, Mesa Verde and Fort Union, dating back to the Cretaceous and Paleocene periods. In the canyon, you might spot fossilized palm fronds and imprints of willow and elm leaves in the boulders.
Habitats and Plants at This Park
- Twinberry Honeysuckle
- Yellow Rabbitbrush
- Ponderosa Pine
- Gambel Oak
Upcoming Events
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History
The reservoir dam was constructed in 1960, and the area has been administered by Colorado Parks and Wildlife since 1965.