Colorado · Hiking
Hiking in Paonia, Colorado
Paonia sits at the western edge of the West Elk Mountains, and the hiking here reflects that position: you get a mix of mellow valley-floor routes, ridge walks with big views over the North Fork Gunnison corridor, and rougher backcountry tracks that push into the surrounding national forest.
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Paonia sits at the western edge of the West Elk Mountains, and the hiking here reflects that position: you get a mix of mellow valley-floor routes, ridge walks with big views over the North Fork Gunnison corridor, and rougher backcountry tracks that push into the surrounding national forest. The 72 listed routes around town range from short connector trails like the School Loop Trail and Gully Trail to longer road-based approaches such as Hubbard Canyon Trail #704, Little Terror Creek Road, and the Lake Fork Spur B Road. Horseshoe Ridge and Rebel Ridge North are the go-to options when you want elevation and open views without a full-day commitment. Trails with names like Plumber's Crack, Herfendoodle, and Rock-n-Roll signal that the local riding and hiking community has a sense of humor, but the terrain is real enough. Summer afternoons bring afternoon thunderstorms reliably from July through early September, so early starts matter. Spring and fall are often the best windows overall: the heat stays manageable, the crowds are thin, and the scrub oak and aspen color in October can be genuinely good. Most trailheads are accessible by passenger vehicle, though a few of the road-based routes benefit from higher clearance.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time of year to hike around Paonia?
Late May through June and then again in September and October are the sweet spots. Midsummer works but afternoon thunderstorms are a daily reality from July onward, so plan to be off exposed routes like Horseshoe Ridge or Rebel Ridge North by early afternoon. Snow can linger on higher approaches like Little Terror Creek Road into late spring.
What skill level do most of these hikes require?
The range is wide. Trails like the School Loop Trail, Gully Trail, and City Springs Road are accessible to most fitness levels with no technical demands. Routes that follow longer road corridors into the national forest, such as Hubbard Canyon Trail #704 or Lake Fork Spur B Road, require more endurance and basic navigation since signage can be sparse once you leave the main track.
Do I need a permit or pass to hike here?
Most of the listed routes are on Gunnison National Forest land and do not require a day-use permit. That said, regulations can change, and if you are camping overnight along routes like Hubbard Canyon Trail #704, check current fire restrictions with the Paonia Ranger District before you go, especially in dry summers.
What gear should I bring for a day hike out of Paonia?
Carry more water than you think you need since many of these routes have limited shade and no reliable water sources along the trail. A rain layer is non-negotiable from July through August given the afternoon storm pattern. For the rougher road-based routes, trekking poles help on loose shale sections, and a basic paper or downloaded map is worth having since cell coverage drops off quickly outside town.
Are the trailheads easy to reach from town?
Most are within a short drive of Paonia and reachable by a standard passenger car, including access to Schoneman Park Road and the City Springs area. A handful of the more remote routes, particularly those following rougher two-track roads deeper into the national forest, are more comfortable in a vehicle with decent clearance. Check road conditions locally if you are visiting after a wet spring.
