Most people know South Park from the TV show. What they don't know is that the real South Park is a thousand-square-mile mountain basin at 10,000 feet — and Fairplay is its heart. Founded in 1859 during the gold rush, the town was named by miners who wanted a more equitable alternative to the claim-jumping happening at other camps. That spirit of fairness and independence still defines the place.
Fairplay isn't a tourist town. It's a real community of about 700 people with real restaurants, a fascinating history, and a pace of life that makes you wonder why you were ever in such a hurry. Here's what to do when you're not on the trails or the water.
History & Culture
South Park City Museum
One of the best frontier museums in Colorado. Over 40 original and relocated buildings recreate a complete 1860s–1900s mining community — blacksmith shop, assay office, saloons, a dentist's office, and more, all furnished with over 60,000 authentic artifacts. It's not a theme park recreation; these are real buildings with real history. Plan at least an hour, you'll probably stay longer.
Historic Front Street
Just one block from the highway but a hundred years away. The historic buildings along Front Street include the Hand Hotel (reportedly haunted), local shops, and the Platte River Saloon. The town's historic character is genuine — these aren't reproductions built for tourists. The coroner and library share the same historic building, which tells you everything about Fairplay's personality.
The REAL South Park Collection
For fans of the show, this shop has one of the world's largest collections of South Park merchandise, the official pinball machine, and photo ops with the characters. It's a fun, quick stop — especially if you appreciate the connection between the fictional town and the very real basin it's based on.
Food & Drink
Fairplay's restaurant scene is small but has real character. Don't expect a food court — expect locally owned spots where the pace is slow and the portions are honest.
Where to Eat
Millonzi's — The go-to for Italian. Solid pasta dishes and the seafood primavera is a local favorite. Service is relaxed (it's Fairplay — don't be in a hurry). On Front Street.
Salado Restaurant — Eclectic menu with a gourmet twist. One of the more creative kitchens in town.
McCall's Park Bar — Classic pub food in a no-frills setting. Good for a casual meal and a beer.
Brown Burro Cafe — Right on Highway 9. Solid food including breakfast until 2 PM. Locals swear by it.
Dorothy's Tamales & KB Kakery — Near the 285 intersection. Local favorites for quick, authentic food.
Java Moose — Main Street coffee and sandwiches. Your morning fuel stop.
Craft Drinks
Rocky Mountain Cigar Company — Unique to Fairplay: cigars, a golf simulator, and a sipping room with tastings from Colorado distilleries. Not what you'd expect to find at 10,000 feet.
High Alpine Brewing — Local craft beer at altitude.
Outdoor Activities Beyond Hiking & Fishing
Horseback Riding
American Safari Ranch and Red Valley Rebels offer guided trail rides through high mountain meadows. Available seasonally — a great way to see the South Park basin from a different perspective. Some outfitters combine riding with fishing access.
Off-Roading & Jeep Trails
The area is rich with 4WD roads. Mosquito Pass is one of the most famous — a rough, high-altitude jeep trail connecting Fairplay to Leadville over the highest named pass in North America (13,186 ft). Boreas Pass is a gentler option accessible to most vehicles in summer. Rental ATVs are available from outfitters in town.
Gold Panning
Fairplay was founded on gold, and you can still try your luck at Fairplay Beach Recreation Area on the Middle Fork of the South Platte. It's a fun activity for families — the kids will love it even if you don't strike it rich.
Annual Events
Fairplay has a surprisingly active events calendar for a town of 700.
Highlights
Burro Days (July) — The signature Fairplay event. A weekend-long celebration centered around a 29-mile burro race over 13,000-foot Mosquito Pass. Parade, llama races, cowboy church, live music, and vendors. It's as Colorado as it gets.
TGIFairplay Concert Series (Summer) — Free live music on Front Street on Friday evenings throughout summer.
Park County Fair (July) — Classic county fair with rodeo, vendors, food, and rides.
Silverheels 100 Mile Endurance Run (July) — For the serious runners. An ultramarathon through alpine terrain, past ghost towns, and into wildflower fields.
The South Park Vibe
The best thing about Fairplay is what it isn't. It isn't a resort town. It isn't a tourist trap. It isn't trying to be anything other than what it is — a small mountain community where people wave at strangers, restaurants close when they feel like it, and the biggest traffic jam is a moose crossing the road.
If you want five-star restaurants and boutique shopping, drive 45 minutes to Breckenridge. If you want the real Colorado — quiet, unpretentious, and surrounded by a thousand square miles of mountain beauty — you're already here.
Experience the Real South Park
Skyfall Chalet is 10 minutes from downtown Fairplay — close enough to explore, far enough to feel completely secluded. Hot tub, sauna, mountain views, and the real Colorado.
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