Jumbo Mountain Special Recreation Management Area, Paonia, Colorado
Jumbo Mountain Special Recreation Management Area, Paonia, Colorado
Jumbo Mountain Trails
The Jumbo Mountain Trail System is within a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Special Recreation Management Area located on public lands adjacent to the Town of Paonia. Signs in town point you towards trailhead parking and information at Apple Valley Park on Pan American Avenue. From the parking area, follow “Jumbo Mtn” signs through the Park to Vista Drive. The access point to the Jumbo Mountain Trails is abutted by private property at the top of Vista Dr & Pan American Ave. Please be respectful of homeowners in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Jumbo Mountain is open to hiking, dogs on leash, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Class 1 (pedal assist) e-bikes are allowed. Motorized recreational use is prohibited. However, administrative access is common for maintenance of the powerline easement, trailwork and seasonal grazing.
Seasonal Wildlife Trail Closures
Jumbo Mountain provides important habitat for elk, mule deer, golden eagles, and desert parsley endemic to this part of Colorado. In order to help protect wildlife during a challenging time of year, annual winter wildlife closures go into effect starting December 1st. These closures begin at the Powerline Road with trails scheduled to reopen between April 15th and 30th depending on conditions. Limited trails in the Jumbo Ridge area may be closed until July 15th if a golden eagle nesting pair is observed in the area. Please respect winter wildlife closures while enjoying the lower Jumbo trails this winter. During all times of the year, please limit trail use when conditions are muddy or wet.
Safe Routes to Parks
The Western Slope Conservation Center (WSCC) has partnered with local non-profit, The Nature Connection, and Town of Paonia to inventory the walkability of our community and make pedestrian safety improvements. These improvements include pedestrian friendly planters, crosswalks and signage near Apple Valley Park. From downtown Paonia, Apple Valley Park and the Jumbo Mountain Trailhead is less than a mile. About a quarter mile from Apple Valley Park you can access more than twenty miles of Jumbo Mountain Trails with scenic views of Paonia, the North Fork Valley, and West Elk Mountains.
WSCC Involvement in the Jumbo Mountain Planning Process
The Jumbo Mountain Trails originated as a series of user created trails. Hikers enjoyed the walkable access from town, while mountain bikers sought out the challenging climbs and downhill runs. Horseback riding, cattle grazing, and the powerline easement further defined trails and access over the years.
Recognizing growing use of this area, in 2023 the BLM’s Uncompahgre Field Office (UFO) completed Comprehensive Travel and Transportation Management Planning for the Jumbo Mountain Special Recreation Management Area. This plan provides for specific recreation management of Jumbo Mountain in order to improve the trail user experience, while protecting important natural resources.
During BLM’s environmental review process WSCC advocated for Alternative D which was the BLM’s preferred alternative and closely reflects the final Jumbo Mountain management plan. Read WSCC’s blog here.
WSCC continues to advocate for administrative and legislative protections for Jumbo Mountain which is on BLM-managed public lands currently open to oil and gas development. WSCC envisions lasting protections for the recreation and wildlife values of Jumbo Mountain as included in our North Fork Alternative to BLM’s Uncompahgre Field Office Resource Management Plan, and the North Fork Valley Watershed Withdrawal in Senator Bennet’s Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection (GORP) Act.
Jumbo Mountain Trail Maps
Please note that many trails indicated as ‘closed’ are clearly visible on the ground and do not have signage. Additionally, some third party apps may show trails as motorized or otherwise not reflect recent travel management planning decisions. Please do your best to stay on open trails and comply with regulations as the BLM and local partners continue to improve trails and signage.
BLM Travel Management Planning
MTB Project – Jumbo Mountain Trails System
CO TREX – Colorado Trail Explorer (update coming soon)
