Paonia State Park
State Park in Crawford, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10-$15
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-$15
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
Gunnison County: Stage 2 Fire Ban -
Fire restrictions are in effective until further notice, including Paonia State Park. Learn more about current conditions by visiting the Closures & Conditions tab or by visiting https://Westslopefireinfo.com .
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
Accessing the Park
Directions
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.
For more information on Paonia ‘s boat ramp and mandatory boat inspections, see the Park Highlights page. For more statewide boating information visit the CPW Statewide Boating page.
Conditions
Fire Restrictions in Effect - The following restrictions are enacted due to historic drought and dry conditions.
The Following Activities are prohibited:
- All personal uses of fireworks
- Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire. This includes charcoal grills and barbecues, coal and wood burning stoves and sheepherder’s stoves and includes use in developed camping and picnic grounds. (Note: Use of charcoal grills, hibachis and coal or wood-burning stoves is always prohibited on federal land.
- Smoking (cigarettes, cigars, etc.), except within an enclosed vehicle, building or trailer.
- Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame.
- Possessing or using either standard or off-road motor vehicles off established roads, motorized trails or established parking areas, except when parking in an area devoid or vegetation within 10 feet of the vehicle.
- Explosive targets. This includes, but is not limited to, fuses or blasting caps, fireworks, rockets, exploding targets, and tracers or incendiary devices.
- Agricultural burns.
- Operating a chainsaw unless it utilizes an approved spark-arresting device (as described in the “Combustion Engines” section), a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (8 oz. capacity by weight or larger and kept with the operator) and a round point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches readily
- Operating or using any internal combustion engine(e.g. chainsaw, generator, ATV), unless it utilizes a spark-arresting device that is properly installed, maintained and in effective working order meeting either: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Standard 5100-1a; or Appropriate Society of automotive Engineers (SAE) recommended practice J335(b) and J350(a) available for use.
The Following Activities remain permitted:
- Devices using pressurized liquid or gas (stoves, grills or lanterns) that include shut-off valves are allowed when used in an area at least three feet or more from flammable material such as grasses or pine needles.
Please be advised that penalties for violating the fire ban include: Class-2 petty offense with fines ranging from $100 to $500 depending on the number of offenses. If a fire causes damage to another individual’s property, additional criminal charges may apply.
For current Fire Restrictions in the Western Slope please visit https://Westslopefireinfo.com .
- GMUG fire restrictions: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/gmug
- BLM fire restrictions: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-information/colorado/southwest-district
- White River National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver
- Curecanti National Recreation Area: https://www.nps.gov/cure/index.htm
Closures
Paonia State Park Boat Ramp is CLOSED. Hand launched and human powered vessels, such as canoes, kayaks & paddleboards, are allowed to launch. Reminder: Save a life by wearing your life vest!
Fees and Passes
Pass |
Description |
Duration |
Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Daily Vehicle Pass |
Single vehicle and its occupants with Colorado license plate |
1 Day |
$10-$12 |
|
Daily Vehicle Pass |
Single vehicle and its occupants with out-of-state license plate |
1 Day |
$15-$17 |
|
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 |
Colorado residents 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 |
Colorado resident 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.
Bird, plant and wildlife guides may be available at the Crawford park book store. You can also use Paonia State Park's iNaturalist app observations for Android and iPhone. iNaturalist is a free online social network and citizen science platform that allows users to record and share observations of biodiversity. By uploading photos or sounds of wild organisms, you can get help identifying species from a global community of naturalists and even an automated identification tool. Using iNaturalist helps you learn about local nature, connect with other enthusiasts, and most importantly, contribute valuable scientific data to biodiversity research and conservation efforts worldwide.
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
Birding Tips
- Always view birds and other wildlife from a safe distance.
- Use binoculars or a spotting scope for a closer view.
- Protect young by avoiding nests or dens.
- Help protect birds by using your senses to find them, not recorded calls.
- To see more birds, keep voices and other sounds low.
- Protect plants and wildlife by staying on trails and respecting closures.
- Keep dogs leashed and under control at all times.
- For the best viewing experience, leave pets at home.
- Human food can hurt wildlife - please keep their diets wild.
- Take nothing but pictures - leave what you find for others to enjoy.
Mammals You Might Find
- Elk
- Golden-mantled ground squirrel
- Marmot
- Striped skunk
Learn How to Coexist
View a short video and tips on watching wildlife safely and find important information on crossing paths with wildlife.
Reptiles and Amphibians You Might Find
- Prairie rattlesnake
YOU Can Help!
The park is lacking vital data on amphibian and reptile populations. By logging your reptile and amphibian observations into Paonia State Park's iNaturalist app, you'll help us collect data that's essential for protecting and preserving the Park's natural resources.
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.