The Paonia region sits in western Colorado's North Fork Valley at approximately 5,700 feet elevation. The area's distinctive geography features high desert terrain on the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains, with nearby mesas and river valleys creating diverse camping environments. Temperature swings between day and night can exceed 30 degrees during summer months, requiring proper layering and sleeping arrangements for comfort.
What to do
Fishing access: Elk Creek Campground offers direct access to Blue Mesa Reservoir. "You can walk down to the lake which is beautiful," notes one camper, with others highlighting the shoreline fishing opportunities for brown and rainbow trout.
Mountain biking: Riverbend RV Park & Cabins provides convenient access to local trails. A visitor mentioned, "Beautiful location next to the Fort Umcompahgre River with easy access to trails for biking."
National park exploration: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is less than an hour from several campgrounds in the area. One camper at Elk Creek Campground shared, "The black canyon is less than an hour from here and is well worth the visit."
What campers like
Riverside sites: Four Seasons River Inn & RV Park offers coveted waterfront camping. "Riverside spots look nicer," notes one reviewer, while another observed, "This RV park has a good number of riverside spots, which are delightful. Lots of trees, and dense but not too dense packing."
Natural shade: Mountain Time RV Park & Cabins offers rare tree cover in an otherwise exposed region. A reviewer stated, "This park is nestled in a beautiful section of forest with a pond on site," while another added, "Very beautiful wooded campground with small pond. Plenty of shade."
Stargazing opportunities: The open skies at Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch provide exceptional night viewing. A camper noted, "Love the dark nights to star gaze," highlighting the minimal light pollution found at campgrounds away from urban areas.
What you should know
Cell service variations: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds in the Paonia region. At Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch, "There is no Cellular service at this Campground. They have Wi-Fi, but I cannot attest to its strength or reliability; I use Starlink."
Seasonal openings: Most campgrounds in the area operate on limited schedules. Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch runs May 1 to October 15, while Mountain Time RV Park operates May 1 to October 1, requiring advance planning for shoulder season visits.
Laundry facilities: Cedar Creek RV Park offers on-site laundry. A recent visitor noted, "Nice clean laundry and restrooms. Good base for exploring Black Canyon NP," though another cautioned the facilities are "a bit small."
Wind exposure: Afternoon winds are common at higher elevation sites. One camper at Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch observed, "Afternoons always seemed to get pretty windy too," suggesting securing awnings and lightweight gear during peak afternoon hours.
Tips for camping with families
Recreational amenities: Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch offers multiple pool options. "One of the major highlights for us was the amazing pool setup—both indoor and outdoor pools were clean, well-maintained, and perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring," shared one family.
Playground access: Cedar Creek RV Park includes dedicated play areas. A visitor mentioned, "Park is clean and there is a large pet yard as well as a grassy area with a large play structure for the kids."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Black Canyon RV Park & Campground offers pastoral settings with wildlife. "Pastoral surroundings" and "the view is astounding" report visitors, with chances to spot local birds and small mammals in the natural landscape.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing considerations: Cedar Creek RV Park has tighter spacing than other options. A reviewer noted, "Tight spot and dusty but staff nice. Was relatively quiet, but seemed 5 ft from next rv. No room for tow behind."
Big rig accessibility: RV sites at some campgrounds can accommodate larger rigs but with limitations. At Riverbend RV Park, a reviewer observed, "Most sites are decent size," though another mentioned, "There was also plenty of parking spaces. I had consistent cell service for both phone service and 4g."
Level site availability: RV campers report varying conditions for leveling. At Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch, "The back in sites are fairly level. Some need a wedge level to bring your rig closer to level. Class A's have no issues backing into spots."
