There are several public access points to the river that contain species of Brown, Rainbow, and Cutthroat Trout. Artificial lure, catch & release fishing is recommended for the North Fork.

Please be respectful of privately owned property! The majority of the North Fork River flows through privately-owned land. It is critical that permission be sought from the landowner before using these sites

• The River Park near Paonia was opened in June of 2006 to the public. Fishing is catch and release, using artificial bait only. You can fish from the shore near the boat ramp, or hike upstream to a less developed area for fishing.

  • Directions: Turn south from CO Hwy 133 onto CO Hwy 187 toward Paonia. Go past Paonia High School on your right, cross the bridge and take an immediate left toward Delta Sand and Gravel Company. Before you go through their gates you will see parking and boat ramp signs on your left.

• The Pleasure Park at the confluence of the main stem of the Gunnison River with the North Fork offers access, camping, supplies, and more. Parking is available at the commercially owned Pleasure Park, and on the adjacent public BLM land. Contact the Pleasure Park at (970) 872-2525.
  • Directions: Drive west on Hwy. 92 approximately 10 miles from Hotchkiss, and turn left on Pleasure Park Road (the first left after the railroad tracks). Follow the paved road down to the Pleasure Park on the right, or the BLM land on the left.

There are three boatable runs on the North Fork River during spring runoff, but the water level is too low for boating in the summer.

Please be respectful of privately owned property! The majority of the North Fork River flows through privately-owned land. Boaters should stay within the main flow of the channel and off privately-owned river banks.

• The Industrial Run: This run is rated a Class III below 2000 cubic feet per second (cfs), and Class IV above 2000 cfs. It is described as having a fairly consistent gradient, with no major drops, with random wave holes. Just past Somerset a large boulder divides the river, and the right-hand route should be taken, as strainers often clog the left channel. Take out above the Fire Mountain Canal diversion structure or below. Use caution when running the diversion, as there is often wood, exposed rocks and potential for pinning.
  • Directions to put-in: Drive northeast on Hwy. 133 from Paonia approximately 7 miles to just below Paonia Reservoir.
  • Directions to take-out: From Paonia, travel approximately 9.8 miles on Hwy. 133 toward Somerset. Just before you enter the town of Somerset there is a rock diversion structure and a very small gravel shoulder on the right side of the road.

• Paonia to Hotchkiss: This run is rated a Class II/ III during spring runoff, and meanders through the Midway Enhancement and Restoration Project completed in April of 2002. Watch for strainers and overhanging trees on the banks, as well as shallow gravel bars that boats can get hung up on.
  • Directions to put-in: The put-in for this run is the River Park near Paonia. Turn south from CO Hwy 133 onto CO Hwy 187 toward Paonia. Go past Paonia High School on your right, cross the bridge and take an immediate left toward Delta Sand and Gravel Company. Before you go through their gates you will see parking and boat ramp signs on your left.
  • Directions to take-out: From Hotchkiss, take Hwy. 92 toward Crawford and almost immediately turn left at the big yellow sign for Zack's BBQ. Stop in at Zacks to ask permission to use the large lawn next to the river in back of the restaurant. Enjoy some barbeque after you take out!

• Hotchkiss to Pleasure Park: This run is rated a Class II/ III during spring runoff, and meanders through the Hotchkiss Demonstration Project completed in 1999 and the Chipeta Dam, which was removed in early 2006. Watch for strainers and overhanging trees on the banks, as well as shallow gravel bars that boats can get hung up on. Also, please respect private property, as there are several landowners along this stretch who don't appreciate boaters floating through or walking on their property.
  • Directions to put-in: From Hotchkiss, take Hwy. 92 toward Crawford and almost immediately turn left at the big yellow sign for Zack's BBQ. Stop in at Zacks to ask permission to use the large lawn next to the river in back of the restaurant. Enjoy some barbeque before you put in!
  • Directions to take-out: Drive west on Hwy. 92 approximately 10 miles from Hotchkiss, and turn left on Pleasure Park Road (the first left after the railroad tracks). Follow the paved road down to the Pleasure Park on the right, or the BLM land on the left.

The North Fork Valley is a popular destination for elk, deer, pheasant, turkey, and other types of hunting. The West Elk Mountains, as well as the Grand Mesa offer prime habitat for many big and small game species.

Please be respectful of privately-owned property as well as private areas adjacent to public land! It is critical that permission be sought from the landowner before using these sites.

In addition, be sure to obtain proper licenses from the Colorado Division of Wildlife before planning your trip.

• McClure Pass: This beautiful site at the top of the North Fork and Crystal River watersheds offers back country access to prime game habitat.
  • Directions: Drive north on Hwy. 133 approximately 10 miles from Paonia toward Redstone and Carbondale. There are several places to park and camp at the top of McClure Pass, and dirt roads will take you up on Huntsman's Pass to the North or toward the Raggeds Mountains to the southeast.

Both mountain and road biking are popular in the North Fork Watershed. Road biking has gained momentum in the valley with the arrival of BlueBird Bicycles and a weekly club.

Highways and county roads lack significant shoulders, but some of the "back roads" have little traffic and offer a great way to tour the watershed.

Mountain Biking

• Camel Back Loop Trails: One of the local favorites, these fast and hilly loops take you through BLM land dotted with sage brush and juniper trees. Several smooth hills treat you to a panoramic view of the North Fork River below before the trail dives into a steep gully, through trees, and back to the beginning. There are several trails to try out in this area, including "The Plunge" Loop. Have fun exploring!
  • Directions: From Paonia, head east on 3rd Street and turn left on "Apple Valley" Road. Go up the hill until the road dead-ends at the BLM gate.
    
    
• Raggeds Trail:
  • Directions: Run a shuttle for this one. Leave a car near the entrance to the Erikson Springs Campground. You can access this area by traveling approximately 7 miles from Paonia on Hwy. 133 and turning south on the Crested Butte/Kebler Pass turnoff (Gunnison County Rd 12). This road travels up Anthracite Creek approximately 4.5 miles to the Erikson Springs Campground.

  
  Once you've got the "pickup" car placed, head back to Hwy. 133 and turn right. Take the highway to McClure Pass, and turn right at the top. You can either park there in the parking lot, or take the dirt road until it ends at the Raggeds Mountain Trail head.

• Paonia to Crawford (Back Road): This scenic bike ride takes you up and over mesas, with views of Lamborn and Lands End Mountain all the way. It is approximately 20 miles one-way, and much of it is on a newly widened and paved road.
  • Directions: From Paonia take Mathews Lane (formerly J75 Road) and head southwest over the railroad tracks until you come to a fork in the road. Take the left hand fork to Crawford. Once you hit Hwy. 92, turn left and bike the short distance into town.

• Hotchkiss to Paonia (Back Road): A meandering ride through ranch and farmlands, over mesas, with views of the North Fork River. Use caution on this 12 mile ride (one way), as there is little bike lane and many blind corners.
  • Directions: From Hotchkiss, travel about 3/4 mile southeast on Hwy. 92 toward Crawford. Take a left hand turn at Back River Road. Travel most of the distance on this curvy road until you get to Mathews Lane. You'll then turn left and follow this road into Paonia.

There are many trails around the North Fork Watershed, ranging in difficulty from a "stroll" to multi day back country travel.

Please practice the "Leave No Trace" and safety ethic while trekking. Watch for signs marking private property boundaries, pack out trash, pay attention to fire bans, clean up after pets and keep them on a leash where appropriate.

• McClure Pass: This beautiful site at the top of the North Fork and Crystal River watersheds offers back country access to Huntsman's Ridge and the McClure pass road that travels southeast from Hwy. 133.
  • Directions: Drive north on Hwy. 133 approximately 10 miles from Paonia toward Redstone and Carbondale. There are several places to park and camp at the top of McClure Pass, and dirt roads will take you up on Huntsman's Pass to the North or toward the Raggeds Mountains to the southeast.