Kelly's Guidebook
Sightseeing
The River Park is a great place to take a dip in the north fork river or just walk along beautiful pathways.
12 locals raden deze aan
Paonia River Park
The River Park is a great place to take a dip in the north fork river or just walk along beautiful pathways.
Great place to do stand up paddle boarding, take a walk or just enjoy the beauty of the west elks!
Paonia Reservoir
Great place to do stand up paddle boarding, take a walk or just enjoy the beauty of the west elks!
Food scene
Easy-going local coffee shop (open Weds-Sun) with Wi-Fi and amazing pastries! Sit outside or inside. The frittatas and sandwiches are good, but the sticky bun is the absolute best! Aimee sells out every morning so get there early!
13 locals raden deze aan
Sweetgrass Paonia
120 Grand AvenueEasy-going local coffee shop (open Weds-Sun) with Wi-Fi and amazing pastries! Sit outside or inside. The frittatas and sandwiches are good, but the sticky bun is the absolute best! Aimee sells out every morning so get there early!
Amazing Friday morning pop-up store at Edesia warehouse. Great coffee and amazing sourdough bread and pastries. Try the morning bun! 
9 locals raden deze aan
Mountain Oven Organic Bakery
395 Clark AveAmazing Friday morning pop-up store at Edesia warehouse. Great coffee and amazing sourdough bread and pastries. Try the morning bun! 
This little shop is located in Hotchkiss next to the City Market. If you map it from the Starhouse using Google or Apple maps it’ll take you about 18 minutes, driving along Back River Road (the “back road to Hotchkiss” as it is known locally) through farm country, with epic views of Mount Lamborn and Land’s End Peak the whole way. Farm Runners consolidates produce, meat and food products from the local farm community into one store. They also have amazing prepared foods including a daily soup, panini-style sandwiches and yummy treats from Blue Sky Baking. As of this writing they are open Weds-Sat 8:30am-5:30pm, Sunday 10am-4pm and closed Monday & Tuesday.
Check current hours at farmrunners.com
11 locals raden deze aan
Farm Runners Station
235 CO-133This little shop is located in Hotchkiss next to the City Market. If you map it from the Starhouse using Google or Apple maps it’ll take you about 18 minutes, driving along Back River Road (the “back road to Hotchkiss” as it is known locally) through farm country, with epic views of Mount Lamborn and Land’s End Peak the whole way. Farm Runners consolidates produce, meat and food products from the local farm community into one store. They also have amazing prepared foods including a daily soup, panini-style sandwiches and yummy treats from Blue Sky Baking. As of this writing they are open Weds-Sat 8:30am-5:30pm, Sunday 10am-4pm and closed Monday & Tuesday.
Check current hours at farmrunners.com
Sweet little coffee shop, lunch counter and winery with some of the best views in Paonia. Good sandwiches, breakfast bowls, homemade desserts and beverages. My favorite is definitely the spinach pie!
As of this writing, they are open Thursday – Sunday, 8am – 6pm but check for winter hours
https://rootandvinemarket.com/
40823 CO-133, Paonia, CO 81428
22 locals raden deze aan
Root and Vine Market
40823 CO-133Sweet little coffee shop, lunch counter and winery with some of the best views in Paonia. Good sandwiches, breakfast bowls, homemade desserts and beverages. My favorite is definitely the spinach pie!
As of this writing, they are open Thursday – Sunday, 8am – 6pm but check for winter hours
https://rootandvinemarket.com/
40823 CO-133, Paonia, CO 81428
Finally, really good coffee in Paonia! If you’re looking for third-wave pour-over this is your place. Small selection of food items; I recommend getting your food elsewhere.
https://www.espressopaeonia.com/
Open 7-2 daily; closed Sundays
208 Main St, Paonia, CO 81428
8 locals raden deze aan
Espresso Paeonia
208 Main StFinally, really good coffee in Paonia! If you’re looking for third-wave pour-over this is your place. Small selection of food items; I recommend getting your food elsewhere.
https://www.espressopaeonia.com/
Open 7-2 daily; closed Sundays
208 Main St, Paonia, CO 81428
Shopping
Brandy’s rock shop is a crystal lover’s dream! So many interesting things to look at and I never walk out of there empty-handed. A great place to buy gifts and mementos of your trip!
Colorado Crystal Curio
228 CO-133Brandy’s rock shop is a crystal lover’s dream! So many interesting things to look at and I never walk out of there empty-handed. A great place to buy gifts and mementos of your trip!
Amy’s well curated boutique is a must visit! Jewelry, clothing, gifts and more. Call to find out if Clementine is selling her French-inspired pastries out of the back on Fridays and Sundays!
10 locals raden deze aan
The Cirque Boutique
232 Grand AveAmy’s well curated boutique is a must visit! Jewelry, clothing, gifts and more. Call to find out if Clementine is selling her French-inspired pastries out of the back on Fridays and Sundays!
Paonia’s little health food store packs a punch for such a small venue! Organic produce, meats, local cheeses, dry goods and a robust bulk section. Highly recommend it!
10 locals raden deze aan
Indigo Autumn
230 Grand AvePaonia’s little health food store packs a punch for such a small venue! Organic produce, meats, local cheeses, dry goods and a robust bulk section. Highly recommend it!
Amy’s shop is one of the best in town. Check out her carefully selected array of gifts, clothing, and local products.
Weds-Sat 12-5:30, Sun 12-3 (usually closed after Christmas for a month)
232 Grand Ave, Paonia, CO 81428
10 locals raden deze aan
The Cirque Boutique
232 Grand AveAmy’s shop is one of the best in town. Check out her carefully selected array of gifts, clothing, and local products.
Weds-Sat 12-5:30, Sun 12-3 (usually closed after Christmas for a month)
232 Grand Ave, Paonia, CO 81428
Mona manages to curate a gorgeous selection of sophisticated clothing—some of which she designs herself—at reasonable prices. She also has natural make-up products, candles and other fun things!
12-5 Weds-Sat, 11-2 Sundays (check for post-Christmas closures)
217 Grand Ave, Paonia, CO 81428
Seven Trees
217 Grand AveMona manages to curate a gorgeous selection of sophisticated clothing—some of which she designs herself—at reasonable prices. She also has natural make-up products, candles and other fun things!
12-5 Weds-Sat, 11-2 Sundays (check for post-Christmas closures)
217 Grand Ave, Paonia, CO 81428
Outdoor Activities
From hiking to snowshoeing to cross country skiing, the locals are always going up Stevens Gulch! Drive all the way to the Overland reservoir, park around the reservoir to the right, and walk the trail to Crescent Lake. You won’t be sorry!
Stevens Gulch
From hiking to snowshoeing to cross country skiing, the locals are always going up Stevens Gulch! Drive all the way to the Overland reservoir, park around the reservoir to the right, and walk the trail to Crescent Lake. You won’t be sorry!
Lamborn Mesa Loop: This is one of the delights of the Starhouse location. Walk out the door and turn right, and head out on a beautiful 45-60 minute walking loop with some moderate incline. Half paved and half dirt road, you’ll get muddy in winter so be prepared. But you’ll also be greeted with farmland magic, epic mountain and valley views, and wildlife. (You may see deer, wild turkeys, and if you’re lucky a coyote!) Here are the basic directions—take a photo of this page and take your phone with you—you’ll want it for the views!
1. Walk to the end of the driveway and turn right onto Foothills Road.
2. Head down the hill and make a sharp hairpin turn right into the Hidden Valley neighborhood.
3. Stay right on Dry Gulch Road (do not enter into the subdivision) and continue up Dry Gulch until the road becomes dirt.
4. Follow this road up and down, eventually passing a turnoff for Lone Cabin Road on your left (hunting territory and a major gateway to wilderness, if you’re up for a very long hike—no motorized vehicles in wintertime). As you crest the peak of the loop you’ll see the valley stretching out to your right and Mount Lamborn towering to your left. Continue as the road tracks downward and then elbows to the right at the “ship of skulls” (you’ll know it when you see it). You may be greeted here by Gus, a noisy but harmless pug mix.
5. Keep going down the long stretch as the road turns back to pavement. Lots of animals to say hello to on this stretch—pups, goats, horses and sheep.
6. When the road T’s into Minerich Road, take a right. Say hello to the Highland cows on your right if they’re visible!
7. When the road T’s into Foothills, take a right and walk up the slow incline back to the Starhouse!
Lamborn Mesa
Lamborn Mesa Loop: This is one of the delights of the Starhouse location. Walk out the door and turn right, and head out on a beautiful 45-60 minute walking loop with some moderate incline. Half paved and half dirt road, you’ll get muddy in winter so be prepared. But you’ll also be greeted with farmland magic, epic mountain and valley views, and wildlife. (You may see deer, wild turkeys, and if you’re lucky a coyote!) Here are the basic directions—take a photo of this page and take your phone with you—you’ll want it for the views!
1. Walk to the end of the driveway and turn right onto Foothills Road.
2. Head down the hill and make a sharp hairpin turn right into the Hidden Valley neighborhood.
3. Stay right on Dry Gulch Road (do not enter into the subdivision) and continue up Dry Gulch until the road becomes dirt.
4. Follow this road up and down, eventually passing a turnoff for Lone Cabin Road on your left (hunting territory and a major gateway to wilderness, if you’re up for a very long hike—no motorized vehicles in wintertime). As you crest the peak of the loop you’ll see the valley stretching out to your right and Mount Lamborn towering to your left. Continue as the road tracks downward and then elbows to the right at the “ship of skulls” (you’ll know it when you see it). You may be greeted here by Gus, a noisy but harmless pug mix.
5. Keep going down the long stretch as the road turns back to pavement. Lots of animals to say hello to on this stretch—pups, goats, horses and sheep.
6. When the road T’s into Minerich Road, take a right. Say hello to the Highland cows on your right if they’re visible!
7. When the road T’s into Foothills, take a right and walk up the slow incline back to the Starhouse!