Hidden Gem Colorado: Things to Do in Fairplay CO in Summer

Fairplay is a historic mining town in Park County, Colorado. The town is at an elevation of 9,953 ft, offering scenic mountain views, outdoor recreation, and a quieter alternative to nearby resort destinations. While Fairplay is a smaller town, visitors benefit from its proximity to major mountain destinations without the higher lodging costs often associated with them. Vacation rentals in Fairplay are typically more affordable than comparable properties in larger resort towns, making it a budget-friendly destination to explore. The town is rich in wildlife, due to the remote calmness of this town, away from more populated and tourist-heavy areas. After multiple visits to Fairplay, here are our top things to do in Fairplay during the summer season.

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How to Get to Fairplay, CO

The best way to get to Fairplay and explore the area is by car or bike. While there is a bus that runs from Denver daily, it is helpful to be able to drive to nearby trailheads and attractions once in Fairplay.

How Long to Stay in Fairplay

The proximity to Denver and the surrounding populated towns makes Fairplay accessible as a day trip, but the town deserves much more time to explore and experience its unique character. A minimum of two nights is recommended if you plan on staying within Fairplay. Otherwise, three nights or more would be ideal.

The first time we visited, we planned for only two nights. The next time, we scheduled a long weekend of three nights. Fairplay is a perfect weekend mountain getaway in Colorado.

Pro Tip: If this is your first visit to Colorado, make sure you stay well hydrated. The high elevation can easily cause dehydration or headaches.

Where to Stay in Fairplay CO

If you plan to visit during the fall season, be sure to book your accommodations well in advance, as many places fill up quickly for fall foliage viewing. Most cabins in Fairplay are well secluded and offer plenty of privacy. Even if there are nearby cabins, especially during the summer, the trees provide natural screening and help maintain privacy.

There are limited hotels available in the town of Fairplay, but the best way to experience the town is book a vacation rental or a cabin little away from the Main town. A few choices to consider:

Top Things to Do in Fairplay CO in Summer

After multiple visits to Fairplay, here are our top things to do in Fairplay during the summer season.

1. Hiking Trails Around Fairplay, CO

One of the best parts about staying in Fairplay is that hiking often starts right outside your cabin. Many vacation rentals are surrounded by unofficial neighborhood trails. Both times we stayed here, we had more than one trail just steps from our door.

Our favorite? Beaver Creek Trail. It’s peaceful, scenic, and feels like you have the mountains all to yourself. At just 2.1 miles long, it’s perfect for slow mornings or evening walks.

If you are lucky, you may spot not just one or two moose, but several—including young ones, as we did. We were also able to spot a herd of elk running freely in the wilderness. It was a sight to behold.

2. Explore South Park City Museum

South Park City Museum is an outdoor historic museum that recreates an 1800s mining town. You can handle some of their artifacts like ringing the bell, using the furniture, or Just stroll through the buildings. It’s educational without feeling like a formal museum, more like walking through a real-life Old West movie set.

Pro Tip: Be sure to use the discount coupon on the South Park City Museum website to get a few dollars off of admission. Discounted admission for adults starts at $10, $5 for children 6-12, and free under 6 (check website for latest pricing).

3. Fish at Fairplay Beach and Beyond

Fishing is quite popular in Fairplay, especially at Fairplay Beach. Despite the name, Fairplay Beach isn’t a traditional swimming beach. Boating, tubing and swimming are not allowed. It is a lovely picnic and fishing spot along the South Platte River. There are restrooms and a small picnic area, and it’s especially popular for catching rainbow trout and brown trout. If you enjoy slow, peaceful afternoons, this is a great stop.

In addition to Fairplay Beach, you’ll find fishing spots at Beaver Creek, Fourmile Creek and various other private ranch areas. Some vacation rentals even provide fishing rods and have permits that guests can borrow during the stay. Always check before buying a separate license. If needed, you can purchase a fishing license locally. Colorado State Fish and Wildlife has several online options like single rod, one-day fishing, and annual fishing licenses that you can choose from.

4. Summer Events in Fairplay

During June and July, Fairplay hosts several small-town summer events, often on 5th Street. A few of the highlights in summer include:

• Huck Finn Day at the Fairplay Beach, typically in June
• Fairplay’s Independence Day Celebration July 4th
• Annual county fair in July, which runs for over a week
• Burro Days celebrations

Before your visit, check the town’s official calendar. Your travel dates might line up with a live concert, or a community event or a seasonal celebration.

5. Visit Fairplay’s Breweries and Distilleries

If a Colorado town has a brewery, it’s practically a rule that you have to visit. Highside Brewing & BBQ is a local favorite. Even if you’re not into beer, it’s a great spot for dinner. They have a dog-friendly atmosphere. They also have games and occasional live music.

Snitching Lady Distillery comes alive in the evenings with live music or games. They have a rich family tradition and recipes of a hundred years old and a welcoming tasting room. Not sure what to try? Their mixologists can guide you through a tasting experience.

6. Pike National Forest

Pike National Forest is about an hour drive from Fairplay. This national forest itself has so many activities to choose from. Some of the activities are listed below:

• Hike toward Pikes Peak Summit
• Climb to Devil’s Head Lookout or to the top of the Manitou Incline
• Camping
• Fly fish
• Drive the scenic Gold Camp Road

If you’re staying a long weekend at Fairplay, this makes a perfect day trip.

7. Coyote Creek Studio Arts

Coyote Creek Studio Arts is a charming art space showcasing different forms of art, such as oil paintings, watercolor, woodworking, and other unique pieces.

If you are looking for an indoor activity, need to shop for a souvenir, or simply want to support local artists, this is the place for you.

8. Platte Ranch Riding Stables

Platte Ranch Riding Stables offers guided horseback tours through the mountains. If hiking isn’t your thing, and still prefer doing something outdoors, this is a fantastic way to explore the landscape. Some rides even cross creeks making it extra fun.

9. Mining and Gold Panning near Fairplay CO

As mining plays a major role in the history of Colorado, Fairplay, being a historic town, has remnants of its mining past at South Park City Museum and in some artifacts located just outside the town.

Snowstorm Gold Dredge – It is the largest and last dragline dredge in Colorado, which completed the work of several hundred men as it dug and processed ore in the gold fields between Fairplay and Alma off Highway 9. It is currently located on private property, so the structure is not accessible to the public but can be viewed from a distance.

Panning and Sluicing - Fairplay allows gold panning without using machinery. Only hands or shovels are allowed. Be sure to apply for your permit in advance.

Gold Panning permits may also be purchased at the FairPlay Town Hall and Visitor's Centers. They are valid in the Town limits only, on the Middle Fork of the South Platte River.

10. Scenic Drives

Colorado offers plenty of scenic drives throughout the state. Some of the scenic drives closer to Fairplay are Kenosha Pass and Georgia Pass. A 4x4 vehicle is recommended, but an AWD vehicle also works well unless the roads are wet from recent rainfall.

Other nearby options to consider include Boreas Pass Road to Breckenridge and the very challenging Mosquito Pass to Leadville.

Final Thoughts on Fairplay CO Things to Do in Summer

Fairplay may be small in size, but it offers a well-rounded mountain experience with scenic beauty, outdoor recreation, local history, and easy access to some of Colorado’s most popular destinations. Whether you are visiting for hiking, fishing, scenic drives, or simply a quiet weekend away, Fairplay provides a peaceful setting without the higher costs of nearby resort towns. With its convenient location and relaxed atmosphere, it remains a hidden gem worth exploring in the Colorado mountains not just for Summers but for spring and fall seasons as well.

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