Fairplay and Alma, Colorado

Park County, Colorado was established in 1861, and is one of the original counties in Colorado.  It includes the towns of Alma and Fairplay, which are on Colorado Hwy 9, about 20 miles south of Breckenridge (which is in Summit County). 

The town of Fairplay was named by gold prospectors who settled it in 1859.  These prospectors were driven from nearby Tarryall by miners who had staked more claims than they could work. In "Fair Play" every man would have an equal chance to stake a claim.  Fairplay is located at the intersection of U.S. Hwy 285 and State Hwy. 9.

Attractions in Fairplay include the Pike National Forest and the South Park City Museum.  The forest has many developed campgrounds, and opportunities for fishing, mountain biking, hiking, winter sports, and much more.  The scenery includes mountain ranges surrounding the county and wide open vistas across large ranches and meadows, “where the deer and the antelope play” (and the occasional buffalo, too).

Alma is located just a few miles north of Fairplay and is part historic town and part newer community.  While it has it’s own economy, it is mainly a support town for Breckenridge.

Historic South Park City contains 34 authentic buildings filled with over 60,000 artifacts of frontier boomtown life.  Buildings include a newspaper office, gold mill, drugstore, saloon, and general store.  It is located in Fairplay, just west of the main street.