Paonia
3111 County Rd 12, Somerset, CO. 81434 (MAP) – Western Slope State Park – fees & reservations
About Paonia State Park
Majestic Ragged Mountains of the Gunnison National Forest surround Paonia State Park, located 20 miles east of Paonia or west of Crested Butte. The park is nestled amid spectacular mountain scenery that can be a home base for exploring the neighborhood or relaxing. The 334-acre lake along the North Fork of the Gunnison River allows for jet and water skiing, powerboating, sailing, sailboarding, canoeing, and other water sports. Activities may vary as the water level changes on this long, narrow reservoir. When the reservoir is full, boats and skiers can go for two miles in one direction before turning around. The fishing season is from mid-June to mid-August. Fly fishing for trout in streams below the dam is also a good spot. There are no hiking, biking or horseback riding trails, but visitors can picnic near the water. Two campgrounds offer 13 scenic but primitive campsites with no hookups and only vault toilets. There is no drinking water available either. Paonia closes for winter between early October and May. Visitors can still enjoy cross-country skiing or snowshoeing along the lake’s shore. — Back to All State Parks.
Focus Activities at Paonia Park
- Camping - primitive campsites, vault toilets, no water, no hookups
- Boating - boat ramps, jet & water skiing, paddle sports
- Picnic sites
- Fishing - fly fishing
- Hunting
- Wildlife and bird watching
- Cross-country skiing & snowshoeing