Dispersed camping sites around Paonia, Colorado provide access to diverse landscapes ranging from sagebrush valleys at 5,600 feet to high alpine environments above 10,000 feet elevation. The region experiences cool summer nights with temperatures often dropping into the 40s F even during July and August. Roads to primitive camping near Paonia typically open in late May through October, with conditions varying by snowpack and seasonal rains.
What to do
Fishing for trout: At Overland Reservoir, anglers can catch rainbow and brook trout. "We went fishing & caught a few small trout and enjoyed the breeze over the water," reports one camper, noting they "saw lots of deer & some elk on the drive up."
Target shooting: Four Mile Road Dispersed offers sufficient remoteness for safe practice. "My campsite was remote and safe for me to do some target practice with my pistol," notes a visitor who camped 13 miles down the county road.
Wildlife viewing: Cottonwood Lakes provides opportunities for both fishing and wildlife viewing. "It is really pretty and close to Grand Junction. The misquote r pretty bad also, tons of spots, if there aren't a ton of people. Lots of lakes though and great fishing!"
What campers like
Proximity to Black Canyon National Park: Black Canyon provides easy access to the less-visited North Rim. One visitor shared: "Easy to find BLM land with decent roads and lots of spots. I stayed here 3 days and never saw or heard another person. It's only 5 miles from the North Rim of Black Canyon National Park."
Water access sites: Many campers appreciate spots directly beside water bodies. At Gunnison Gorge National Conservation, visitors enjoy riverside locations: "Pretty spot right along the river, bit of a bumpy road to get here but nothing requiring 4WD (when dry at least) or high clearance, I bet even a sedan could make it here."
Sense of seclusion: The region offers genuine remoteness. Four Mile Road Dispersed camping features "sites were beautiful and well separated" according to one camper, while another noted it's "secluded and beautiful" with "very few other people around."
What you should know
Fire restrictions: Regulations vary by season and location. Some areas like Horse Ranch Park permit campfires while others enforce bans. Always check current restrictions with local ranger districts.
Road conditions: Access to many sites requires preparation. For Twin Lake Dispersed Area, one camper advised: "Driving off the forest road and onto the small road getting up to the campsite, 4WD isn't required but highly recommended, it is a very rough road. High clearance is necessary."
Mosquito pressure: Several locations report significant mosquito activity during summer months. At Overland Reservoir, a camper warned: "As mentioned, there were a ton of mosquitos. When the breeze was blowing, it helped, but definitely bring bug spray!"
Weather variability: Mountain locations experience rapid weather changes. At Four Mile Road, a camper noted: "It rained before we got there and there was some moisture on the tent the morning after."
Tips for camping with families
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes offer accessible fishing for children. "Stocked reservoir with rainbow and brook trout. Smaller fish but fun fishing," notes a visitor to Overland Reservoir.
Site selection timing: Popular areas fill quickly during summer weekends. "It was hidden but there were a ton of people, they recently redid the back roads to get here and it was extremely busy (we had a rig pull up right next us at 1 am because there werent any spots)," reported a camper at Cottonwood Lakes.
Water safety: Lakes and rivers require supervision. At Horse Ranch Park, "Lost Lake was right across the road from where we camped," offering water access but requiring watchfulness.
Wildlife encounters: Prepare children for potential sightings. At Four Mile Park, one camper experienced "a fox come right up to my car as I was making coffee."
Tips from RVers
Road clearance requirements: Many access roads limit RV size. At Black Canyon Dispersed Camping near Montrose, a camper advised: "The site we were on was great for us but they can be tight to move around in. As you approach the turnoff for the location take the second ramp in it is much smoother."
Leveling challenges: Finding flat spots can be difficult. Near Overland Reservoir, the uneven terrain requires careful site selection, especially for larger rigs.
Limited turnaround space: Several primitive camping areas near Paonia have constrained maneuvering room. Four Mile Road Dispersed has "camp sites are the definition of dispersed as they are quite far from each other and seemingly minimal if you're driving in."
Seasonal access limitations: Snow closures affect higher elevation sites from November through May. "My first winter camping trip in Colorado" at Four Mile Road required snowshoeing "through 16 to 24 inches of snow for an additional mile."
