Paonia State Park Campground, near Crawford, Colorado, is a serene spot that offers a peaceful escape along the river. With designated sites that are clean and well-maintained, it’s a great choice for tent camping or RVs, though larger campers might find the sites a bit snug.

Visitors rave about the stunning views and the quiet atmosphere, making it perfect for those looking to unwind. One camper noted, “The sites and restroom were clean and well-maintained,” which speaks to the care taken in maintaining the facilities. Just remember to bring your own drinking water, as it’s not available on-site.

The campground is surrounded by beautiful nature, with opportunities for hiking and exploring nearby attractions like the charming town of Paonia and the scenic McClure Pass. You might even spot some local wildlife, as one reviewer shared a fun story about cows wandering through their campsite. 

Whether you’re here for a weekend or a longer stay, Paonia State Park Campground offers a laid-back vibe and a chance to connect with nature. Just be prepared for a bit of rustic charm and enjoy the tranquility that comes with it.

Paonia State Park Campground

Somerset is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Discover great camping spots near Somerset, reviewed by campers like you.

Somerset

The Best Camping Near Somerset, Colorado

We reserved this site on a busy weekend thinking it would fill up. We went in September and the lake was completely dried up and had no access from the campground as you might think if you looked on a map. The sites were huddled under these scrappy bushes that were swarmed with mosquitos. It had seemed no one had been at this campground in ages, the bathroom was in bad shape. Nearby was some wine tasting and a cute town of Paonia. I'd skip this whole area though and go right up Kebler Pass for much better camping. 

Terrible campsite with no water nearby

We pulled in for the night after a long day of driving.  The place was completely empty.  Everything seems newly constructed.  The pit toilet was spotless and empty.  The sites were isolated from each other.  There were only a handful of spots - not a problem when nobody else is there.  The other reviewer seems grumpy.  We were there in early August and the creek was flowing and the lake was full.  Can't control these things, doesn't really affect the campground though.

Well maintained

The campground is about 15 miles from the town of Paonia.  We stayed three nights and only had one other camper in the campground.  The ranch above us was moving cattle higher for the summer. As we were leaving the campground, we realized several of the cows had walked through our campsite to drink from the reservoir.  When we returned to camp we were surprised to see everything undisturbed in our camp, but we still had 2 cows there in the bushes.  My husbandtold the park rangers and they told the ranchers.  It was quite fun to see the cowboy riding into our camp to rustle the 2 cows out and up the road.  Campground was very quiet at night. We were camped off McClure pass so it was fun to visit the redstone castle, the town of marble and overlook the roaring fork valley.  

Quiet, cows, and cowboys

Had a great stay in Spruce Campground. The sites and restroom were clean and well-maintained. There is no drinking water so bring your own. The sites are a little on the small side so I wouldn’t recommend large campers but it was perfect for tent camping. The tent pads are very large and a nice bonus. The views were spectacular!

Quiet Campground

This is a nice location along the river.  Campsite was clean and quiet.  Ranger was very helpful in helping us secure our reservation.

Photos of Paonia State Park Campground

Real photos from real campers