Paonia

Named for the vast array of peonie flowers in the area, Paonia comprises a lush landscape that produces an abundance of fruit and vegetables. Fishing, hiking and river floating are all popular in this small town. Cherries are the top crop here, and the town celebrates the tart, but tasty fruit for three days during the Paonia Cherry Days each July. A parade, barbecue, fireworks, and, of course, cherries and cherry pies fills the streets. Nearby Paonia State Park lures nature photographers to its fields of wildflowers, aspen forests and wildlife. Anglers revel in its cold-water fishing and boaters love to explore its crystalline reservoir. Two small campgrounds offer a quiet, remote place to lay your head.