Small Town – Big Personality … Fairplay, Colorado
Mountain charm without the crowds and mountain adventures seconds away hiding in the National Forests surrounding it. Who knew? Driving thru Fairplay takes about 3 minutes! Nestled at the end of Hoosier Pass, it’s an endless year-round playground.
Quirky fun summer festivals, one amazing outdoor 1800’s town museum, find the best breakfast ever at “The Burro”, dispersed camping minutes away, hiking trails to some hidden gems, quiet snowshoe treks, backcountry adventures, just to name a few.
With so many Colorado destinations becoming quite popular and busy, you may want to stop in Fairplay on your way there and play…
NOT TO BE MISSED! … Burro Days
“Burro Days” all around fun mountain town event
Crazy good time for all ages, “Burro Days”, goes on the entire weekend. You will come back every year. Pancake Breakfast, Exceptional Arts & Crafts, Parade, The famous 30 Mile Burro Race, Cowboy Church, Reynolds Gang, Outhouse Races, Pony Rides, Wild West Shootout, Food and more…
All around family fun, never ending entertainment, with lots of laughter and smiles.
More on Burro Days …
BEST MUSEUM IN COLORADO! … South Park City
Authentic 1800’s Town, 40+ buildings of authentic Colorado history!
Our favorite Colorado history museum. You’ll find it unexpected and incredible. Each building is authentic from forgotten towns in Colorado. Inside of each home, stable, stagecoach, church, school, drug store and so many more are all complete for you to explore.
Called an “Open Air Museum”, you will be outside throughout. Bring an extra layer of clothes, Fairplay weather is fickle, changing minute by minute.
For more on South Park City…
MOST UNUSUAL EASY HIKE NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT! …. Limber Grove
Hiking through a forest of Limber and Bristlecone pine trees.
The twisted shapes of the trunks show their struggle to survive and created an amazing wonderland. Relatively easy hike with about 400 ft elevation gain. The trail is 3 ½ mile out and back and rated easy to moderate. Altitude starts above 10,500 feet which should be taken into consideration.
Worth the effort and time to wander a bit outside of Fairplay and do this short hike, unusual and not well known, a hidden gem.
More on Limber Grove Trail …
BACKCOUNTRY HEAVEN! … Beaver Creek Trail
Hiding in Colorado’s National Forest, Beaver Creek Trailhead
A Colorado local secret, Beaver Creek Trail. If your looking for no crowds and somewhere to play outside in the mountains year around, this is it.
A backcountry gem, located just minutes from Fairplay, CO. We’ve been hiking, snowshoeing, and have camped in many dispersed camping spots. Aspens in the fall, lush green summers with a meandering creek, surrounded by mountain peaks and trails everywhere make this a perfect getaway.
A trail you want to be prepared for with appropriate hiking gear. Please check out “What’s in Your Day Pack” for a list of recommended items anytime hiking.
For more on Beaver Creek Trail…
JUST UP THE ROAD! … Alma, Colorado
A summer event minutes from Fairplay, “Festival in the Clouds”.
Wear your tie-dye, bring your smiles, and meet the wonderful character of Alma, CO. A once a year event to put on your Calendar, Festival in the Clouds. Family entertainment, camping along the river, fantastic music, incredible art booths & more.
Start your day with the Volunteer Fire Dept. Pancake Breakfast.
Festival in the Clouds, is a big time deal presented with keeping the quality of a small mountain town. 6 miles from Fairplay, it’s a must for your Colorado summer calendar.
For more on Festival in the Clouds …
DRIVE THROUGH …. Buckskin Cemetery
Some see the ghost of Silverheels!
1.2 miles west of the Town of Alma just off Park County Rd. 10 is Buckskin Cemetery. The graves are located without much organization surrounded by dense woods and is a true authentic step back in time.
A number of graves are marked only with 2 sticks tied together to create a crude cross, others are unmarked, and some have granite or marble headstones inside metal or wooden fencing dating back to the late 1800’s.
The story of a dance hall girl, Silverheels, who sacrificed herself to save a small mining community from a devastating plague, makes going through the cemetery more enticing!
NOTE: The town of Alma hosts (around Halloween) a popular tour through Buckskin Graveyard … a local favorite event.
HIKE AMONG THE 13ERS … Wheeler Trail to Wheeler Lake
Old mines, an incredible waterfall, an alpine lake, “Wheeler Trail”.
Wander up Hoosier Pass (Hwy 9) out of Fairplay and turn into Placerville, CO and you’ll find a hidden gem, Montgomery Reservoir, Magnolia Mine and a great day hike.
The trail is actually the 4×4 road, quite technical in the beginning for off road vehicles but an easy hike. You’ll come upon a few mining remnants then steadily climb into wide open spaces with incredible views.
About 3 miles up ahead you’ll find Wheeler Lake after hiking through the valley surrounded by Mt. Lincoln to the left and Northstar Mountain on the Continental Divide.
For more on Wheeler Trail…
HUNGRY? A COLORADO FAVORITE … Brown Burro Cafe
Walk in the door and be greeted by smiling faces
We’ve been coming here for years and we love it for its charm and food. Prepare to wait, this place is super busy on the weekend.s Breakfast & Lunch are prepared by the owners, a husband and wife team who are a local legend. I’m pretty sure my dad has been driving to Fairplay for over 25 years just to eat here.
When visiting or driving through Fairplay, don’t pass-by the Brown Burro without a stop. Great menu selection, very affordable and warm friendly service. Located right on Main Street, you can’t miss it. Open 6am – 2pm
LOVE SWEETS? STOP HERE … Silver Scoop Creamery
The best Pastries ever are hidden in Fairplay, CO
Just off Main Street on Front Street in Fairplay you’ll find the biggest pieces of pastries for incredibly low prices right here. I admit we come here too often! The brownies and the bread pudding are to die for. Everything is baked by locals, and sells out fast.
Lunch and old fashioned ice-cream also found here, but after filling up on pastries, we’ve not tried anything else. One stop here and you will be back…
Experience Colorado where the locals go…. Fairplay is one of our favorite places to explore, both in town (map) and in ALL the surrounding National Forests.
Visit the Town of Fairplay website for updates on future events.
ONE MORE HIKE NOT TO BE MISSED!
Just up Hoosier Pass not far from Fairplay is McCullough Gulch Trail, featuring a spectacular waterfall and alpine lakes.
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