Blending outdoor recreation with a laid-back lifestyle in Fairplay
Cattle ranches and mountain peaks surround Fairplay, a rural town situated along the Middle Fork of the South Platte River. The town is equidistant to Denver and Colorado Springs, with both cities roughly 85 miles east, and the Breckenridge Ski Resort around 22 miles north. Fairplay is also the inspiration for the animated comedy series, "South Park," and operates as the county seat of Park County. “[Fairplay] is less expensive than Breckenridge, and you get more land out here,” says Sara O’Connor, a Realtor with Keller Williams Top of the Rockies, who lives in Fairplay. “It’s also a different vibe. It’s got a more relaxed feel.”
Finding houses in town and on acreage
Homes vary in style and price. “In the town of Fairplay, there are a few different subdivisions with more affordable housing,” O’Connor says. “When you’re coming out of town, you’re going to see more ranches and land with single-family houses.” Contemporary single-story homes are found close to Main Street, along with newly built, multistory homes with New Traditional architecture. These houses have small yards and cost around $325,000 to $580,000.
Multistory mountain homes are common throughout the rural landscape. Some are Cape Cod-inspired with traditional exteriors, while others are more cabin-inspired with features such as wood siding, large picture windows and raised balconies. These larger homes were built between the 1980s and 2000s and can sit on one to 10 acres of land. Prices range between $530,000 and $1.1 million.
Staying active along South Platte River and at other facilities
Fairplay has easy access to outdoor recreation from the surrounding mountains and rivers. Trails carve the landscape for hiking, biking, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. Fairplay River Park is the town’s primary recreational spot, with Fairplay Beach at its center along the South Platte River. The beach is popular for fly fishing and gold panning, a nod to the area’s mining past. “In the summer, people are big on rafting […] and you can camp in several areas,” O’Connor says. The town is also in the process of developing the land east and west of the beach, to create the larger park area.
Cohen Park has a playground area with swings and a rock-climbing wall. There’s also a basketball court and picnic shelter. The Two Mile High Disc Golf Course is also nearby. South Park Recreation Center offers indoor facilities, such as a gym and pool, with a skate park outside. There's also the nearby Breckenridge Ski Resort.
Shopping and dining at locally owned businesses
Historic downtown Fairplay is the town’s main commercial area. “There’s a small number of businesses here, but it’s very quaint,” O’Connor says. Old Red Barn is one of many gift shops, and Eagle Rock Ranch Mercantile sells both fresh beef cuts and home goods, straight from its cattle ranch. Mr. Burro Cafe is a casual breakfast and lunch spot, known for its giant cinnamon rolls and barbeque burgers. There are also art galleries and ice cream and coffee shops.
Additional retail and dining are found along U.S. Highway 285, including a Family Dollar and Ace Hardware. Otto’s is another local restaurant specializing in fried chicken, and The Soup Pot is counter-service with rotating varieties. Prather’s Market is the area’s grocery store.
Celebrating the community at summer events
During the Summer, Fairplay hosts multiple events. Burro Days honors the town’s mining heritage. The weekend-long festival in July has everything from a parade and live music to a llama race and Cowboy Church. The main event is burro racing, which is an ultra-marathon where each runner pulls a burro (donkey) on a rope. Participants can choose between a 15-mile course and the Mosquito Pass course, which is over 29 miles up a mountain. Other festivities include the Park County Fair, with its rodeos and livestock auctions, and the Fairplay Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show.
Exploring Fairplay’s mining and frontier past
Fairplay’s unique history as a mining boomtown is captured at the South Park City Museum. The tourist attraction consists of 44 preserved buildings dating back to the 1800s, recreating and showcasing frontier life through over 60,000 regional artifacts.
Getting educated in Park County public schools
Fairplay is served by the Park County School District. Edith Teter Elementary School receives a C grade from Niche, while South Park Middle School earns a C-plus. The middle school shares a building with the C-rated South Park High School, where older students can take Career and Technical Education courses in agriculture, automotive mechanics, building trades and biomedical sciences.
Navigating Fairplay’s major highways and country roads
A vehicle is required to navigate Fairplay’s rural and expansive landscape. The town also offers ADA-accessible transit services through Park County Commuter buses. Colorado state Highway 9 travels east and west, acting as the town’s main thoroughfare, while U.S. Highway 285 goes north and south. Commuters can use US-285 to reach Denver. The Denver International Airport is roughly 107 miles away.
