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

Navigate to:

A dog on a pier by the reservoir

A dog on a pier by the reservoir

Park Highlight

Explore Paonia Reservoir

The park's main attraction is the 334-surface-acre reservoir. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Plunge deep into nature at this narrow lake park. Steep mountainsides, pristine water, alpine scenery and peaceful environment make Paonia a haven for water and nature lovers.

Facilities

Boat icon

Boat Ramp

One boat ramp serves boaters. The boat ramp is on the north end of the reservoir​ on County Road 2.

Boating and Fishing

    Boating

    Boating activities allowed from June until September, or until the water level drops enough to close the boat ramp (typically in mid-August). The boat ramp is closed every Tuesday.

    Fishing

    Short period of fishing in reservoir from mid-June to mid-August. Fly fishing for trout on streams below dam is more productive. Colorado Parks and Wildlife awards anglers who catch big fish. Check out the length and weight records for Paonia.

    Ice fishing is not allowed. Stay off the ice. The ice is never safe due to open pot holes and general instability caused by bubbling natural gas.

    Fish Species and Bag Limits

    See the Fishing Atlas for fishable species at this location and the Fishing Brochure (PDF) for daily bag limits.

    Fishing Awards and Records for Paonia

    Visit the Fishing Awards and Records page for more records.

    Clean Your Gear: Fishing

    Help Protect Colorado Waters

    Clean Your Gear

    Cleaning your gear before and after use helps protect our water from aquatic nuisance species. Check out these videos to learn how to clean your fishing gear.

    Bring the Brochures with You

    Mandatory Boat Inspections for ANS at Paonia

    To boat on the reservoir, an aquatic nuisance species (ANS) stamp, current boat registration and a pre-launch boat inspection at the boat ramp is required. 

    Vessels and other floating devices that are both hand-launched and human-powered are exempt from mandatory ANS inspections. Although, the public is strongly encouraged to self-inspect their watercrafts, boots, waders, and fishing equipment by making sure that all equipment is clean, drained, and dry. For instructions, see Clean Your Gear.

    Learn more about aquatic nuisance species

    Inspection icon

    Inspection Hours

    Monday - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., unless it's a holiday then follow weekend hours

    Tuesday - ramp is closed, unless it's a holiday

    Wednesday, Thursday - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

    Friday, Saturday, Sunday - 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

    Mandatory Inspections and Seals
    Alert icon

    Aquatic Nuisance Species

    Aquatic nuisance species (ANS) are aquatic plants and animals that invade lakes, reservoirs, rivers and streams, including zebra mussels, quagga mussels, New Zealand mudsnails, Asian carp, rusty crayfish and more.

    Stop the Spread of ANS

    Oh, SHELL NO

    Be a Pain in the ANS

    Recreation in Colorado’s water could be impacted by the spread of invasive species in the water. Aquatic nuisance species(ANS) are invasive species that damage bodies of water. This can have huge impacts on many of the industries and products we all know and love: wine, corn, beer, peaches, drinking water, outdoor recreation and many more. If you’re recreating in the water, you can be a Pain in the ANS — and stop the spread of invasive species. Take Action: Clean, drain and dry your watercraft and gear.

    Oh Shell No 169.png

    Water Activities

    Jet skiing

    Jet Skiing

    Jet-skis are required to travel in the same counter-clockwise direction as water skiers.

    Person on a paddle board

    Paddle Boarding

    Paddle sports are popular on the reservoir. Don't forget your life jacket.

    Water skiing

    Water Skiing

    When the reservoir is full, you can ski up to two miles in one direction before you have to turn around! Water skiers are required to travel counter-clockwise.

    A white sailboat on the water

    Sailing

    Sail boats are welcome on the reservoir.