What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Jumbo Mountain Trail
This trail begins gently but quickly climbs in elevation. It offers hikers views of a pond and connects to several other nearby trails.
Length: 7.6 miles
Intensity: Difficult
Lamborn Trail to Landsend Peak
A good option for hiking or backpacking, this trail provides incredible views of the area’s scenery.
Length: 8 miles
Intensity: Difficult
Dark Canyon Trail
Many hikers choose to camp along this trail, which provides stunning views and offers many opportunities to spot wildlife.
Length: 13.2 miles
Intensity: Difficult
Three Lakes Trail
Located in the nearby Raggeds Wilderness, this trail offers beautiful views and provides access to fishing areas.
Length: 3.4 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Marble Point Trail
This gorgeous trail is a challenge for experienced hikers, and because it’s so remote, most hikers have the entire trail to themselves.
Length: 4.4 miles
Intensity: Difficult
Fishing and Boating
Some of the best fly-fishing in the area can be found at the nearby Gunnison River. Rainbow and brown trout are the most common catches, but salmon can also be caught at certain times of the year. Paonia State Park also offers great fishing opportunities. Visitors can fish the reservoir from June to August, and more fishing opportunities can be found in the streams south of the park’s dam.
Climbing
The best rock climbing near Paonia can be found in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. The North Rim Routes offer almost 100 climbing options, most of which are traditional climbs. The South Rim provides 27 traditional routes. Marmot Rocks offers seven bouldering areas. Visitors can also head to the Curecanti National Recreation Area to explore seven traditional routes.
Wildlife Viewing
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and the Curecanti National Recreation Area are the best local areas to view wildlife. Visitors can often spot porcupines, elk, deer, mice, coyotes, beavers, bats, skunks, bighorn sheep, owls, bald eagles, and grouse.
Picnicking
Paonia State Park offers two small picnic areas that provide incredible views of the area. The Anthracite Picnic Area in the park is ADA-accessible. Crawford State Park also offers several picnic areas, including a group day use and picnic area for up to 100 people. Each picnic area has tables and a fire ring or grill.
Horseback Riding
Many of the trails in the area are excellent for horseback riding. The Jumbo Mountain and Lamborn trails, for example, are good options for equestrians.
