Fairplay can be explored through several distinct themes: the history of a pioneer mining community, historic buildings, a public fishing area, and Burro Days. This combination lets you tailor your stay to your interests: you can focus on architectural history, combine local history with an event, or take recreational opportunities along the river into account.
Mining History and Historic Buildings
The South Park City Museum is an intact open-air museum from the mid-20th century that interprets a pioneer mining community. The focus, then, is on the community—a different approach from the history of individual buildings. This makes it possible to understand the pioneer mining era not only through architecture, but also through the portrayal of a community.
The Park County Courthouse was built in 1874 from local red sandstone in the Italianate style. A later phase of construction takes center stage at the Fairplay Hotel: it was built in 1923 after a fire in 1921 destroyed the 1873 hotel building on the site. The courthouse is notable for its style and materials, while the hotel’s story centers on the succession of an earlier building, a fire, and a new construction. The comparison shows two different time periods in Fairplay’s architectural history.
Fairplay School, now Edith Teter Elementary, is one of the oldest surviving schools in Colorado. It adds another historic landmark to the town’s story alongside the courthouse and hotel. Sheldon Jackson Memorial Chapel was built the year after a fire, as Fairplay was being rebuilt. This building history can be placed in its historical context without equating it with the history of the hotel building.
The town’s history also includes its relationship with the landscape: Fairplay’s historic camp was located in a scenic spot near the confluence of Beaver Creek and the South Platte River. Alongside its architectural history, Fairplay therefore offers a connection to the landscape setting of this historic camp.
Fishing and Camping at Fairplay Beach
Different guidance applies to fishing and camping at the Fairplay Beach Recreation Area. The stretch of river above and below the recreation area is a very popular public fishing spot. Campsites at the Fairplay Beach Recreation Area are available without reservations on a first-come, first-served basis; the fee is paid at the beach. If camping is part of your plans, check the rules before you arrive and keep in mind that campsites are allocated without reservations.
Burro Days: History and Event Program
Burro Days began in 1949 as a race in which participants ran with a donkey from Leadville to Fairplay. Burro Days includes donkey races; program details may change. If you want to plan your trip around the event, check the dates and current program in advance. The race route and the year 1949 are part of the event’s origins, while the donkey races are a distinct part of its program.
Discover more destinations: Jefferson.
Return to the main travel overview: Park County.
