With 400 surface acres of water and 337 land acres of recreation area, Crawford Reservoir is perhaps the most popular in the area with local fisherman, boaters, water skiers, and campers. Water skiing season usually begins in mid-May and ends in mid-August. The park’s 6,600 foot elevation guarantees visitors a mild climate at any season.

The reservoir is well-known as a quality perch and crappie fishery. Largemouth bass and catfish are stocked in the reservoir. Fisherman are also successful in landing northern pike.

Picnic areas, 65 campsites, nature trails, a swim beach, and a playground can also be found a Crawford State Park. The spectacular north rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison is only 12 miles from the park. Nearby are Needle Rock, Castle Rock, and Saddle Mountain.

To get to Crawford Reservoir State Recreation Area, travel south of Crawford one mile on Hwy, 92. The facility is located on the right side of the highway.

(The Friends of Crawford State Park plan several summer events at the lake and a Festival of Trees event in December -- for more information on events scheduled at Crawford State Park call (970) 921-5320.)

Paonia State Park is located in the shadow of the majestic Ragged Mountains, about 16 miles northeast of Paonia and five mile from Somerset on Hwy 133. The steep mountainsides give this lake an alpine flavor.

Paonia features great scenery, water skiing, wildflowers, and camping. There are no hiking trail at Paonia State Park, but during the summer months hikers will enjoy the trail system in the Ragged Wilderness Area nearby. Paonia is know for its northern pike fishing, best from late June until late August.

Paonia State Park has 15 campsites in two separate campgrounds. The 8 campgrounds in Spruce Campground, located in a scenic setting next to Hwy 133, are surrounded by towering blue spruce trees. A babbling stream is just a few feet away. Hawsapple Campground, across the river, is popular with water skiers. No drinking water is available in the park.  

  Sweitzer Lake

According to the Colorado Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation, there are state-record size green sunfish in Sweitzer Reservoir. While fishing is fun at Sweitzer, don’t plan on eating your catch. The fish should be caught and released because they contain Selenium. But if you hook a record lunker, be sure to take a photo of it before it goes back into the water. The current state-record green sunfish is 11.2 inches long and weighs in at 1 ½ pounds.

Located just one mile south of Delta on Hwy. 50, Sweitzer State Park is a day use only area, with no overnight camping. The Park is open from 8:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. May 1 to Sept. 30.

Sweitzer has 137 surface acres of water and 73 acres of land. Views of the majestic San Juans, the Uncompahgre Plateau, and the West Elks can be enjoyed from shady picnic areas. Playground equipment and a sandy beach lie adjacent to a protected swim area.

A water fowl area on the east end of the lake provides a haven for many native birds and migratory waterfowl.