Fairplay is a small town with growing attractions

By Jay McKinney

Fans of the cartoon South Park can humorously recite the theme song’s iconic line, “I’m going down to South Park, gonna have myself a time,” but these days it’s actually true. Fairplay, the small town located in the South Park Valley that was once a remote scratch in the dirt, is now somewhat of a destination thanks to easy access to mountain activities and a growing assortment of great places to eat and drink.

Dating back to 1859 when the town was established, Fairplay has been a major crossroad in the South Park Valley. The town was founded by prospectors who flocked to the area during the Colorado Gold Rush with hopes of striking it rich. Legend has it that the town got its name from a leader among the miners who stated, “In this camp we’ll have fair play” as opposed to nearby Tarryall that was seen as a greedy mining settlement full of miscreants.

Over 150 years later and there is plenty of playing to be done in the town, starting with anglers. Fairplay has been deemed the Trout Fishing Capital of Colorado because of its proximity to an abundance of great fishing destinations.

Some of the best waters to fish include Eleven Mile Reservoir, a section of the South Platte River known as the Dream Stream, and Spinney Mountain Reservoir. The Dream Stream connects the two reservoirs and has been designated as a Gold Medal fishing area along with Spinney Mountain Reservoir. While the area is more than 30 miles south of Fairplay, it’s well worth the drive. Nearby Weston Pass has several drainage creeks that contribute to the Middle Fork of the South Platte River. A variety of trout are spread throughout the area.

For those looking to get a better view of the valley, there are numerous hiking trails to enjoy. Quandary Peak is one of the most popular 14ers to climb and it is located roughly 16 miles north of Fairplay. Nearby Mount Sherman is relatively easy to summit and a great option for people who have never hiked a 14er before. Other popular hiking areas include Eleven Mile State Park, Beaver Creek Trail and Rich Creek Trail.

After exploring the South Park Valley, head into Fairplay and find an abundance of great places to eat and drink. Millonzi’s is a fantastic restaurant with a menu that consists of Mediterranean and Italian dishes and is open Wednesday-Sunday for dinner hours only. The restaurant primarily uses organic and locally sourced food and the prices are extremely reasonable for the dining experience.

When it comes to drinking destinations, South Park Brewing has an amazing selection of seasonal and year round beers to try. The Ranch Hand is an easy-drinking cream ale that was not only the first beer brewed by South Park Brewing, but also is the best selling beer in the taproom. Regardless of flavor preferences, the brewery has something for everyone. The brewery shares space with South Park Distilling, and both offer packaged libations to take on any adventure. Or, hangout in the tap room and enjoy your craft beverages.

Wine lovers visiting Fairplay must visit the Continental Divide Winery. The family-owned winery was started in 2016 and touted as the highest altitude producing winery in the world at nearly 10,000 feet in elevation. Making wine in such a high altitude minimizes oxygen exposure and enhances the flavors from the grapes and the land as a result. The winery also has a location in Breckenridge, but the wine is produced at the Fairplay location.

Those in search of a tasty cocktails should also check out Snitching Lady Distillery (see story page 33). The cocktail menu includes staples like the “Parson Brown” (smokey old fashioned) and “Big Mon-hattan” (a dignified Manhattan) along with some specialty cocktails like the “Snitch” (the flagship whiskey sour) and the “Appalachia” (a spiked sweet tea).

If there’s still daylight, history buffs will find joy exploring the amazing South Park City on the edge of town. The expansive museum was created in the 1950s by a group of citizens who were concerned about the destruction of old mining ghost towns in Park County. South Park City (which is what the town was called for a brief period) is a recreated mining town featuring 40 historic buildings furnished with artifacts and old equipment that gives people a feeling of stepping back in time.

Regardless of how the day is spent, Fairplay is much more than a pit stop for gas these days.

Jay McKinney grew up in Sedalia and graduated from the Metropolitan State University of Denver with a bachelor’s degree in communications. During his free time, he enjoys playing golf, shooting pool and hiking throughout Colorado and neighboring Utah.