Fairplay Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show, July 27-30, 2023 at Fairplay River Park Event Site, 200 Platt Drive, Fairplay, CO, 80440. FREE ADMISSION, FREE PARKING. Open daily 9am – 5pm. 30 Dealers at this OUTDOOR show. There are mineral specimens, rough, slabs, jewelry, cabochons, beads, findings, fossils, petrified wood, tools, and equipment.
Location: Fairplay
11th Annual South Park Arts Celebration & Plein Air Festival
Enjoy art painted throughout the week by talented Plein Air artists from around Colorado and out of state. Works of art will be for sale at the public art gallery opening reception on the 11th, and again on the 12th where you can enjoy a live auction, 719-836-2622.
Last Call 50-Mile Endurance Run
Do you remember the last dance at Prom? Nervous looks around, everyone hoping to be picked to awkwardly dance to Time After Time or Stairway To Heaven. We choose you, you uncoordinated runner you. Come dance with us, we have the perfect partner for you.16-hours after the 100-mile runners have started their Silverheels adventure through these mountains, we’re making a Last Call for runners looking to take the last dance. Starting precisely at midnight, you’ll have 6 hours to navigate the course in the dark before the lights come on and you get to see who you’ve been dancing with all night. They’ll be as ugly as you remember. Your partner’s name is #Adversity, and it’s not done dancing yet. You’ll have ten more hours to get the deed done (16 hour cut-off math majors!). Will you find a new partner to dance with and finish the challenge, or get stuck dancing in the same suffer circle with #Adversity stepping all over your toes?
Fairplay’s Independence Day Celebration
Burro Buster 5k race, Strut Your Mutt, Parade, Community Flea Market, Food, Free Concert with the Twenty Hands High band, and Kids Activities. Events are on Front Street, 719-836-2622.
South Park
South Park, Colorado
Perched high in the Colorado Rockies, South Park Colorado is a microcosm of Western history. From deep canyons to vast grasslands to snowy peaks and alpine meadows, this compelling basin is home to the nation’s highest incorporated town, gold mines, cattle ranches, and mountain passes. As one of only 49 National Heritage Areas in the United States, South Park offers a rare glimpse of pioneer life at high altitudes during the settlement of the American West.
South Park Colorado is a landscape rich with heritage and attracts individuals who value western authenticity. Some ranches have been operated for five generations by the same family. As they have for centuries, residents still depend on the land for their livelihood, recreation, and quality of life. As other places lose their inherent charm, South Park becomes a more engaging destination.
More About South Park Colorado
Perhaps you’re curious about the more modern attraction, the cartoon South Park. What does South Park Colorado have to do with the cartoon anyway? One can really only speculate on the subject. Perhaps these two places (one real, the other fictional) have nothing to do with one another. It’s just mere coincidence that they bear similar naming. However, it’s also possible that there’s more to it than mere coincidence. One similarity that stands out is that the historical South Park was outlandish, full of ironies, and scandal. This is also true about the cartoon. Learn more about South Park, Fairplay and Conifer Colorado. There are some interesting connections between them that might just satisfy your curiosity.
Silverheels 100-Mile Endurance Run
The Grand-Daddy of all the Human Potential Running Series Races, The Silverheels 100-Mile Endurance Run. Running at an average elevation of 11,000’ will have you thinking you’re hallucinating how beautiful this course is. Silverheels is second, only to The Hardrock 100, in average elevation across the 100-mile course. Bring everything you’ve got in you to tackle this monster of a course, because you will be challenged. Look for abandoned gold mines, awe at the wildflowers in full bloom, and dance under the watchful eye of Silverheels Mountain herself. The person who finishes this race, will not be the same person who started it. To complete this journey, one must grow, and overcome. #Adversity must become your friend. Finishers celebrate the journey, memories, and achy hips with the coveted Silverheels Buckle!
Vacation Planning Ideas
Colorado Vacation Ideas
You're ready to do some vacation planning. You could really use a break, and you've seen pictures of Colorado's majestic landscapes reaching 2 miles into the American sky. This is someplace you'd like to see and experience. It would take a few lifetimes to see, enjoy, experience, feel, and reach all of what Colorado offers. So, we're here to help you with your Colorado vacation planning and the best way to maximize your time while in Colorado.Create Your Vacation Plan
With so much going on in Colorado it’s best to identify your vacation passion and the passions of the group or other person you are traveling with. Here is a list of considerations to help you get the best Colorado vacation experience.
Summer Vacation Planning 
What summer Colorado activities are a priority for you and your group? Start by identifying the primary activity and prioritizing from there.
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Perhaps your bucket list includes visiting an adventure park, a scenic train ride, a hot springs visit, zip lining, getting a hike or two in, and rafting. Wow, that’s ambitious but it can be done. Once again, staying in a region like the Royal Gorge area can serve this up. If you look closely, you will find companies that even sell combinations of experiences in one day.
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If you're planning a backpacking trip. You will want to select a region, such as the Rocky Moutain National Park, and just stay there.
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If day hiking is more your thing. You will get the most hiking in by exploring a region versus trying to travel all over the state, but some travel is realistic.
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Are you planning to tour the state? Will you need lodging or will you be camping along the way?
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Summer tourist season in Colorado is popular. If you’re planning on camping, tent camping or RV camping, you will need to plan ahead. Reservations at public campgrounds are necessary, especially during “peak season”.
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Identify what “other” activities are important.
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Check-in with your travel companions and find out what activities they have in mind. You might find mutual interests or complete diversity. Knowing this will help you map out your route and where to find lodging.
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Activities such as Colorado events, historical tours, dining, art, farmers markets, rafting, or jeep tours.
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Winter Vacation Planning
Will your winter vacation be at a ski resort?
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There are 25 ski areas in Colorado, not including cross-country ski touring centers. First, understand the abilities and expectations of your group. Then investigate your options for what they offer, type of terrain, expense, apres ski activities, and more.
- There are other resort options besides ski resort towns. Many guest ranches stay open in the winter and offer a variety of winter activities. This is true for out-of-the-way cabin rentals and some of the natural hot spring resorts.
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Are all members of your group skiers, or are there snowboarders too?
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If you’re vacationing with a mix of skiers and snowboarders, as well as ability level. It’s best to closely examine the resorts with terrain parks and a mix of blue and expert-level ski runs. The larger resorts will have the most options.
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Does your group want to travel to different resort destinations or stay at a specific resort?
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If touring different resorts is what you have in mind. Staying in the Central part of Colorado is by far the most efficient. As all these resorts can be traveled to by car in a few hours. Or, skip the winter driving around, stay at a designated resort, and focus on your fun there.
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Is vacationing on a budget a concern?
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If being budget-minded is part of your vacation. Try planning your trip during the “off-season” or not “peak-season” times. Check out lesser-known resorts. In either case, you should be able to find deals on lift tickets and lodging.
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Are off-slope activities appealing, such as shopping, dining, spas, events, or alternative activities?
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If your group needs alternative activities. The bigger resorts will have the most varied selection of activities to choose from. However, popular attractions like winter scenic train rides, natural hot springs, and guided tours such as snowmobiling or sleigh rides are not necessarily at the resort. Check out “other attractions” first and then decided on the resort to stay at.
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Colorado's Endless List of Vacation Options
Colorado offers an almost endless list of vacation options. The first step is to understand if you want to tour around or stay in one place. Either has much to offer. However, touring the state will require more vacation planning. Please use our free vacation planning itinerary tool. This will help you keep track of the sights and experiences you don’t want to miss. Plus, organize your lodging and travel routes along the way.
Staying put at that special place in Colorado is also a good way to spend your vacation. With so much to explore in any given region of the State, it might make more sense for you just to find lodging in a favorite place and base all your activities on that location. In either case, feel free to request some of our free visitor guides, and use our free itinerary tool to help organize all the activities, keep the dates and times handy, and make your vacation more relaxing.
About Fairplay
Discover Fairplay, Colorado
The discovery of gold in 1859 brought thousands of prospectors to South Park. Latecomers pushed west and established a new mining camp called “Fair Play.” After several prosperous years, Fairplay became the county seat in1867.
If your curious about how Fairplay relates to South Park and the modern day sitcom cartoon South Park.
There are some interesting historical relationships and modern day parallels that help shed light on the topic.
Today, Fairplay is the center of commerce for Park County, with a thriving business community and vibrant local arts. The many lodging, dining and retail options reflect the unique character of this quaint mountain town. Surrounded by majestic peaks and pastoral beauty, Fairplay calls out to artists of all media, many of whom have made Fairplay home.
Year-Round Fairplay Activities
Seasonal Events
True to its quaint mountain character, a variety of fun and colorful events are hosted, such as the signature Burro Days race, the Bead & Fiber Show, the free summer concert series and the one-of-a-kind South Park Arts Celebration. This four-day open air celebration of nature, history, and art, capitalizes on the unusual abundance of scenic and historic sites that make South Park, including Fairplay, so captivating.
Winter
At almost 10,000′ Fairplay is an outdoor enthusiast paradise in the winter. Embraced by the Mosquito Mountain Range and minutes to world-class skiing, boarders and skiers alike can explore pristine backcountry or groomedresort trails. Diverse and interesting ice climbing terrain welcomes beginners and challenges experts. Additionally, snowmobiling and snowshoeing provide travel access to remote back-bowls and rolling terrain. Hunters thrive on a nearly year-round season as do anglers with fly-fishing in summer and ice-fishing in winter. Named as the “Fly-Fishing Capital of Colorado” anglers can expect to experience a thrill a minute. Fairplay is home to the award-winning Fairplay Beach where one can cast a line, pan for gold, even camp overnight – all less than a minute from Main Street and historic Front Street where dining, wine-tasting, local art galleries, South Park City Museum and shopping entice.
Spring – Summer
Summer comes alive with bright wildflowers, lush meadows and snow-capped mountain peaks. Outdoor adventures abound from mellow strolls through the forest to challenging climbs. Beginner trails to extreme single track call out to mountain bikers of all levels. Rock climbers and hikers can summit a myriad of 14,000-foot peaks. Take a horseback ride, ATV or off-road vehicle along 100-year-old mining trails. In Town, a custom skate park puts even a seasoned skater to the test.
Colorado Destinations
Unique Colorado Destination
Colorado’s cities and towns are as diverse and beautiful as its landscape.
From the culturally rich city of Denver to the quiet mountain escape of Aspen. Colorado has a vacation destination for everyone. Are the high mountain peaks calling your name? Get to know Colorado and plan your trip to check off everything in your bucket list. Rafting, skiing, hiking, art shows, concerts, mountain biking, cycling, dinning, fishing, mountain retreats, exploring nature, and much more. Coloradoinfo.com has divided Colorado into 3 regions. Each of these regions represents unique characteristics and proximity.
View our interactive regional map of Colorado to take a closer look and find the locations you want to visit.
Order a free Colorado vacation planning guide to help find the perfect vacation spot!
The Central Mountains
The heart of the Rocky Mountains spans the state north to south, and is home to the highest elevated cities and towns in the country, which feature over two dozen ski resorts. This region is Colorado’s gem for world-famous ski areas, mountain lifestyle, and activities.
The Rockies Playground, recently named by the Colorado Tourism Office, is the most central region of the Rocky Mountains and includes some of Colorado’s most famous resort towns. Due to their close proximity and popularity as ski resorts, the name was chosen to appeal to potential tourists. This region’s towns include Vail, Aspen, Breckenridge, Winter Park, Glenwood Springs, Dillon and Leadville. However, significant resort towns lie north and south of the playground region, including Steamboat Springs in north-central Colorado. Resort towns in south-central Colorado include: Crested Butte, Monarch, Del Norte, Powderhorn and Wolf Creek. The Central Mountains region captures almost all of the mountain towns north to south, aside from Telluride and Durango.
The Central Mountains region includes several spectacular national forests.
All of which include amazing mountain scenery, wildlife, trail systems, nearby camping and towns. From north to south:
- Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest
Steamboat Springs, a ski town. A large area with a variety of mountain attractions. - White River National Forest
The Rockies Playground, many ski resort towns. Engulfed in mountain recreation. - Pike and San Isabel National Forest
The Royal Gorge attraction. This area is rich with wilderness, fourteeners, Backpacking, Camping…More on recreation. - Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest
Crested Butte ski resort and nearby Gunnison. A variety of summer & winter recreation. - Rio Grande National Forest
Wolf Creek ski resort, nearby towns Pagosa Springs and Alamosa, lie within the Mystic San Luis Valley. A huge wilderness area including Great Sand Dunes National Park and Alamosa National Refuge. This area is considered Colorado’s undiscovered jewel. Discover solitude and self-reliance.
The Front Range & Plains
A way of referring to how the plains of Colorado meet the eastern slope of the continental divide.
If you want to watch a broadway show or enjoy a museum exhibit, you will have the most options in the Front Range. The urban cities of Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, and Colorado Springs are well known for their performing arts, museums, and cultural festivals.
Front Range Mountain Attractions
The Front Range region includes notable attractions such as Estes Park, the eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Pikes Peak, a whole family mountain attraction, lies just west of Colorado Springs. Featuring a scenic train, rafting, horseback riding and much more.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre, an amazing music venue in the foothills west of Denver.
Colorado’s Western Slope
A general way of referring to Northwest and Southwest Colorado.
The Western Slope is a much more remote experience. Grand Junction is the largest city in the area and is often referred to as a city with a small-town feel. This high plains region is rich in agriculture, canyonlands, and warmer weather. Offering up a distinctively unique variety of Colorado destinations.
Northwest Colorado, or The Great West
Features of this area are the national parks such as Dinosaur National Park, the remote Brown’s Park, and the wild horses of the Sand Wash Basin. This area is popular with outdoor enthusiasts offering a variety of camping, RV parks, off-road vehicles, horseback riding, rafting, cycling and exploring in general. While the mountains are melting down, northwest Colorado is in full bloom.
Southwest Colorado, or The Mountain Mesas
Another very diverse region of Colorado with a mix of Colorado destinations and ski resort towns such as Telluride, and Durango. Complemented by Montrose, a very agricultural community but also rich with adventure. In the very southwest corner of Colorado is Cortez. Surrounded by big attractions such as Mesa Verde National Park, Monument Valley . Cortez is also the gateway to the Four Corners and the Canyonlands of Utah
Summer in Summit County
Summer in Summit County, Colorado
Welcome to ‘Colorado’s Playground!’ Blessed with a central location in the heart of the Colorado Rockies, Summit County encompasses the inviting towns of Keystone, Dillon, Frisco, Silverthorne, Copper Mountain, Heeney and Breckenridge.
Our historic towns have much to offer for all ages. Celebrate the history of these National Historic Districts, stroll down our Main Streets while enjoying the one-of-a-kind architecture, unique shopping, and dining options, and don’t miss out on the brewery tour. And, of course, our playground’s wide variety of summer activities, like hiking, biking, Dillon reservoir marina, rafting and music festivals, will keep you coming back for more. You’ll find many unique lodging opportunities for romantic getaways, family vacations, and weekend adventures with friends.
Everything you need to know about Summit County and its neighboring communities is right here!
