The best camping in Paonia State Park, CO

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Top-rated campgrounds

Glenwood Springs Lodging & RV Sites

88%
(24)
42mi from Paonia State Park · 204 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Glenwood Springs, CO
Glenwood Canyon Resort, located just east of Glenwood Springs, CO is the only lodging, camping, and RV resort in beautiful Glenwood Canyon, where Hanging Lake resides and the mighty Colorado River flows. Learn more about our newest addition, The Sprinter Village. A beautiful area custom designed for Sprinter vans, small RVs, truck campers, pop-up campers, and Rooftop Campers. Guests enjoy rafting, fly-fishing, and canyon bike path access, and package deals with Glenwood Hot Springs and Iron Mountain Hot Springs and deals for skiing and snowboarding at Sunlight Mountain Resort in the winter. Our variety of cabins is available year-round and perfect for couples getaways, family fun vacations, reunions of all kinds, RV & travel groups, and corporate retreats. Not only does the Glenwood Canyon Resort boast the most scenic and gorgeous location in all of the western slopes, but we also have some of the coolest (and most convenient) amenities to offer our guests. From the most adventurous activities requiring nerves of steel and uncommon strength to the least adventurous activity of doing your laundry, we’ve got what you’re looking for right here on site. Need camping supplies or maybe a souvenir for those back home? Stop by our resort office and store where we have basic camping needs including wood & fire starters, ice, cold drinks, tent stakes, propane, and all the s’mores fixings you may need. Don’t miss out on trying our favorite s’mores recipe with peanut butter cups! You’ll find other items for your laundry and RVing needs as well. Also located in our resort store are fun little trinkets and things that make great gifts for the ones back at home as well as souvenirs in the form of hats, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and such.
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$67
 / night

Delta Hobby Farm

97%
(34)
43mi from Paonia State Park · 1 site · Tent, RV · Delta, CO
We are a working hobby farm, complete with orchard, goats, pasture, and yurts. We love this slice of Western Colorado beauty... so close to the Grand Mesa, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and the Uncompaghre Plateau. So many outdoor possibilities! We build a brand new shower house with flushing toilet to share between all guests as we also have 2 yurts. We also welcome pets that don't chase the free range chickens and are on a leash when out n about. We have recently installed a Pergola for shade! Tent camping is in side the square (if you'd like!) as its lined with peegravel. There is a gate at the entrance of the field and there is a horse fence around the field is twine, so please use the gate! The share shower and bath house has on-demand hot water and a flushing toilet. We encourage all guests to be tidy and efficient as the yurts also share the same bath house.
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$20
 / night

Down at the Hop Yard Camping

99%
(137)
47mi from Paonia State Park · 12 sites · Tents, RVs · Montrose, CO
Wake up to the fresh aroma of hops, enjoys beers made with the hops grown next to your sleeping bag, have a campfire with an incredible view of the San Juan Mountains and open night sky, take a tour and learn about the unique world of hops, walk around an 18-foot tall, 32-acre hop trellis, and adventure in all that the Western Slope of Colorado has to offer. We also have 'Fridays on the Farm' every Friday until October 3rd from 4-9pm serving beer with our hops, a local food truck, live music, and yard games. Check our website for more details! We can open the beer barn on other nights, as well as offer tours, upon request! This is a perfect basecamp for adventure! The attractions are endless: Exploring Black Canyon NP, Curecanti NRA, and Gunnison Gorge NCA; fly fishing in gold metal waters; hunting; hiking, climbing, and traversing the Via Ferrata in the San Juan Mountains; rafting, kayaking, or SUPing on three different rivers, including a wave park right in town, as well as on reservoirs and lakes; relaxing in mineral-rich hot springs; shopping for unique souvenirs and gifts; and enjoying the activities, restaurants, and shopping of nearby Ouray and Telluride! If we're booked out, message us and we may have some backup spots! ; )
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$25
 / night

Colorado Magic School Bus 🚍🌲☀️

34mi from Paonia State Park · 1 site · Lodging · Cedaredge, CO
🐉🚍The Magic School Bus at Dragonsong Sanctuary Off-Grid Skoolie Stay | Family-Friendly Mountain Bus on 40 Acres Tucked into a peaceful juniper and pinion forest on 40 private acres in the Colorado mountains. Just 25 minutes from the Grand Mesa’s 500 square miles of wilderness and over 300 alpine lakes, this one-of-a-kind stay offers an unforgettable off-grid experience for families, couples, and solo travelers alike. You’ll be staying just steps away from hiking trails and wide-open skies perfect for stargazing, meteor showers, or simply unwinding. We are a family of five living on-site, and we’ve created this space to be kid-friendly, safe, and welcoming. Whether you’re looking for adventure or downtime, you’ll find both here. Nearby Attractions: • 10 minutes to Cedaredge: galleries, parks, live music, and amazing eats • 25 minutes to Grand Mesa: fishing, kayaking, hiking, and paddleboarding • 1 hour to the Black Canyon and local wineries in Paonia and Palisade • Under 2 hours to hot springs, ski areas, and historic mountain towns Dragonsong Sanctuary is a place of peace, presence, and connection. All guests are invited to embrace the magic of mountain life with respect and reverence. Come stay, play, and reconnect—with nature, your loved ones, and yourself. Guided meditations, Guided hikes, Women’s health consultations available just ask for pricing! 💗
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$90
 / night

Oasis RV Resort

89%
(33)
35mi from Paonia State Park · 104 sites · Tents, RVs · Gunnison, CO
Nestled beside Colorado’s expansive Blue Mesa Reservoir, the largest body of water in the state, our location offers unparalleled access to serene waters and breathtaking views. Our Gunnison Lakeside Oasis Vacation Cottages offer a range of sizes and sleeping capacities, with a two-night minimum stay requirement. Each cottage includes restroom facilities, including a shower. Options include two-bedroom cottages, 12×12 and 12×16 cottages with or without covered porches, and even a 1960 Retro Trailer. Enjoy your stay close to the beautiful Blue Mesa Reservoir! Discover the exceptional amenities at Oasis RV Resort and Cottages where modern comforts meet the tranquility of nature. Equiped with fiber optic internet, stay connected to the world while surrounded by the serene beauty of our natural surroundings.
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$50
 / night

Riverwalk Yurt, luxury on river

99%
(383)
17mi from Paonia State Park · 8 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Hotchkiss, CO
The House where we live is the corner stone of the Bruce Property and is on the Colorado Register of Historic Houses.The residence was constructed between 1905 and 1912, using red bricks made on the site. John and Sophia Bruce, early pioneers in the North Fork Valley, were first involved in cattle raising. The family later became successful fruit growers. Located along the West Elk Loop, a Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway, the large two-story residence features a steeply pitched hipped roof with prominent attic dormers.As a guest of Riverwalk you will have full access to the river during your stay. In addition, there is the Riverwalk Trail System that skirts the North Fork of the Gunnison River from the top of the property, by the Riverwalk Yurt, (available on this site) meandering downstream past the Riverwalk TIPI (available on the site) passing  the Grove Yurt (available on this site) and terminating at the bottom of the property with the sandy Riverwalk Beach. There is a trial that zigs through the Cottonwood Grove and zags back along the gentle Monitor Ditch skirting a newly planted grove of young trees.For RV Campers we provide 2- 30amp,1-50 amp and 1- 110-amp electrical services and potable water. There is a dump station available. There is also access to our heated shower house with running water and bathroom amenities (<3 min. walk, may be shared with other guests). The property is perfectly geared to groups of friends gathering in a central location between the onset of the Rockies and the termination high desert to the west. Friends or family will reserve both Yurts and the RV Site for a perfect reunion setting!
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$35
 / night

Coworking Space with Mountain Views

99%
(70)
46mi from Paonia State Park · 6 sites · Tents, RVs · Montrose, CO
We bought a school house! Our long-term plan is to build out a full campground on the property, but in the interim we will be offering boondocking. While we are under construction on the outdoor space, the main building that we have converted into a coworking space is available for our guests to use from the hours of 9AM - 6PM. Unfortunately, we are on old agricultural land so the sites are in the direct sun during the day. Please be aware that it gets hot out here in the summer and take this into consideration when booking your stay with us. Please note that there is only one camping structure allowed per site (one tent, one rv, one van, etc.). Since we are under construction we ask that you use caution when pulling into the lot. Our property is also on a bike trail that connects to 70 miles of (mostly paved) bike trails across the town of Montrose. Please reach out with any questions. We look forward to hosting you!
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$35
 / night

Zenzen Gardens

95%
(220)
19mi from Paonia State Park · 14 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Paonia, CO
Zenzen Gardens is now the official tasting room for Alfred Eames Cellars, a local winery located 3 miles south of Paonia. Come enjoy some local wines in the garden with a beautiful mountain view. Our tasting room is open May 1st to November 1st from 12 PM - 6 PM. We will be hosting several Farm to Table Dinners along with a Summer Concert Series, Water Lantern Festival and Masquerade.  There is veranda seating to enjoy the beautiful flower gardens and where you can access the internet. Wine tastings are offered daily 12pm-6pm. The veranda is open until 8pm. At the turn of the century, this farm was a dairy operation with its huge old red barn built in the 1880's. The property is pastoral, relaxing, rural and beautiful! It is surrounded by hay and alfalfa fields. It is very quiet with wide open spaces. You might see deer, fox, Golden Eagles, Bald Eagles, Red Tail Hawks and Red Wing Blackbirds, just to name a few.
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$35
 / night

Poplar Place

93%
(14)
41mi from Paonia State Park · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · Olathe, CO
Locally owned, this large tree grove with over 100 trees, was planted in 1979 for privacy and shade between 2 homes. Learn more about this land: Pitch a tent, sleep in a hammock or park your RV at the Poplar Place. Several campsites within a large grove of trees which provide privacy & shade. Enjoy the sounds of nature including but not limited to: woodpeckers, owls, hawks, farm animals, frogs, crickets & much more. Hammocks, local area maps & yard games available at our check-in station and don’t forget to carve your initials in the totem pole before you leave. You can enjoy visiting with friends around the fire pit, play a game of tic-tac-toe, have an axe throwing contest or hide out in the Tee-Pee, whatever your heart desires. **Pets are welcome, however, they MUST BE ON LEASHES AT ALL TIMES & PROPER DISPOSAL OF ANIMAL WASTE IS A MUST* Thank you
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$35
 / night

Other options near Paonia State Park

The best camping in Paonia State Park, CO guide

Overview

About

Situated in a canyon surrounding the long, narrow Paonia Reservoir, this state camp is a popular choice for campers and water skiing enthusiasts in the summer months and cross-country skiers come winter. The park feels a bit wilder than the average Colorado State Park, with wildflowers, mountain scenery, and a two-mile long reservoir, but not much in terms of creature comforts. In other words, if you want to camp here, be prepared to bring your own drinking water—facilities are limited to two primitive campgrounds with vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings (though one does have a boat launch).

Notable campgrounds

  • Best for tree-lovers: As the name suggests, Spruce Campground is surrounded by blue spruce trees.
  • Best for water skiers: Hawsapple Campground has its own boat ramp for easy access to the water.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  1. You can reserve a site at one of Paonia State Park’s two campgrounds by using the Colorado Parks and Wildlife online reservation system or over the phone, but not in person.
  2. Reservations can be made up to six months in advance.
  3. The campgrounds are only open from May through September. If you are looking for something outside of those months, or simply can’t find a site in the park, consider a Hipcamp instead.

When to go

Paonia State Park is open throughout the year. While some people come here for cross-country skiing during the snowy winter, the park is at its most popular in the summer months when the weather is warm enough for camping and water sports. Boating is allowed in the park from mid-June until usually about August, depending on the water level. Once the water gets too low to use the boat ramp, only carry-on boats are permitted.

Know before you go

  • The best nearby town for stocking up on supplies and groceries is Paonia, about a 25-minute drive away.
  • Parking is not included in the price of camping reservations. You can purchase day passes or an annual pass online or at the park.
  • Dogs are welcome in the park and at its campgrounds, but must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet in length.
  • There’s no potable water at the park, so make sure you bring your own.
  • Jet skiers and water skiers are required to travel in a clockwise direction.
100%
1 ratings · 1 review