Paonia Reservoir

About Paonia Reservoir

Paonia Dam and Reservoir is part of the Paonia Project. Recreation at Paonia Reservoir is managed by the Colorado Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation under agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation. The reservoir is located in the shadow of Colorado majestic Ragged Mountains. The parks natural beauty is a perfect setting for nature lovers and photographers. There are picnic and 15 semi-primitive campsites available for your enjoyment. (Drinking water is not available.) Water level may fluctuate severely and prevent boat launching. Call 1-800-678-2267 for camping reservations.

How to Get There

From Glenwood Springs, Colorado, take Highway 82 south to town of Carbondale. Turn south into Carbondale on Highway 133 for 46 miles to the reservoir. From Delta, take Highway 92 east 21 miles to town of Hotchkiss. On the far side of Hotchkiss, keep left onto Highway 133, than past Paonia another 16 miles to reservoir.

Plan Your Visit to Paonia Reservoir

Heading to Paonia Reservoir? A few things to know before you go:

• Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
• Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
• Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
• Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
• Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go

References & Official Resources

• Official Recreation.gov page
• View on OpenStreetMap
• Driving directions (Google Maps)