Explore Park County

09/05/2026

🛍️ Another great reason to make a stop in Hartsel!

Badger Basin Mercantile celebrated its grand opening in August, bringing a new place to shop along Highway 24 for both the Hartsel community and travelers passing through South Park. 🌄

We love seeing this new local business featured by OutThere Colorado! Writer Spencer McKee shares more about the people behind the mercantile, what visitors can find inside, and their vision for creating a place that serves both locals and travelers heading out on their next Colorado adventure.

Congratulations to the entire team behind Badger Basin Mercantile on bringing something new to Hartsel! 🎉

Next time you’re traveling through the area, give yourself some extra time to explore Hartsel, support local businesses, grab a bite to eat, and enjoy this beautiful part of Park County.

👇 Check out the full OutThere Colorado feature below!
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Those headed to or from their Colorado mountain adventures along U.S. Highway 24 through Hartsel now have a new pit stop to make. Celebrating their grand opening on August 7, Badger Basin Mercantile will offer travelers “a thoughtfully curated selection of goods, groceries, outdoor essentials, and...

09/04/2026

🌶️ Get those chili recipes ready, South Park!

The South Park Chamber of Commerce-Fairplay, CO Chili Cook-Off returns to Fairplay on Saturday, September 19, with delicious chili, cash prizes, a People’s Choice Prize, and fun for all ages. 🔥

Think your chili has what it takes? Check out the original post below for details on participating or helping sponsor this year's event!

📍 North-West Fire Station, Fairplay
⏰ 5:00–7:00 PM
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🔥 South Park, get ready to get your chili on! The South Park Chamber Chili Cook-Off is back, and we're talkin' heat, baby! 🔥

Want to throw your hat in the ring or help sponsor the shindig?
👉 Visit: southparkchamber.com/events

🕔It's goin' down on Saturday, September 19th at the North-West Fire Station from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM.
👖Bring your stretchy pants, your squad, and your A-game (or just your love for all things chili).

Let's make this year's cook-off the most epic one yet! 🎉

09/04/2026

🍻 Cheers to Hatte and Cody at The Dusty Bottle Saloon!

The Dusty Bottle Saloon has been settling into its home in Alma over the past few months, bringing new life to the former South Park Saloon location and continuing the tradition of this longtime gathering spot. 🤠⛰️

We love seeing local businesses put down roots in Park County and watching the community show up to support them.

Next time you’re in Alma, stop by The Dusty Bottle Saloon and raise a glass to Hatte and Cody! 🍹

🎥 Remixed: Original video by Beware Of The Locals
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ColoradoSmallBusiness ColoradoMountainTowns

09/03/2026

❄️ Who else is waiting for Park County to look like this again?

Fall may be here, but before long, scenes like this will return to the mountains. Snow-covered pines, quiet forests, and wildlife moving through a freshly dusted landscape are all part of the changing seasons in Park County. 🦌🌲

Until then, we're enjoying every bit of fall we can get.

What about you? Ready for snow, or hoping fall sticks around? 🍂
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08/11/2026

🏕️ A brand-new outdoor event is coming to Bailey this September!

Whiteduckoutdoors is bringing its first annual Basecamp to Rustic Creek Ranch on September 26–27 for a weekend built around camping, outdoor skills, community, and time outside.

Visitors can check out camping gear in real camp setups, learn from Bridget Teton, join hands-on activities and wellness sessions, grab food from local vendors, and gather around the evening campfire. 🔥

The event also supports Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, with 100% of camping pass proceeds and 100% of support for stewardship of Colorado’s public lands.

📍 Rustic Creek Ranch, Bailey
📅 September 26–27
🎟️ Day passes are FREE | Camping passes are $25

Learn more & get your passes:
👉 whiteduckoutdoors.com/pages/basecamp

Sounds like a pretty great way to spend an early fall weekend in Bailey! 🌲
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07/28/2026

🌿🍹 Something a little wild is coming to Bailey!

Snitching Lady Distillery is hosting its first-ever Wilderness Cocktail Class with Lee from Food For Adventures on Friday, August 7 at 2 PM. Learn how foraged ingredients can make their way from the backcountry to your glass, with tips and techniques from a seasoned biologist and outdoor expert.

🎟️ Tickets are $40 and seating is limited, so contact Snitching Lady Distillery to reserve your spot!
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Our First Ever Cocktail Class with Special Guest Lee From Food For Adventures! August 7th @ 2PM. Come learn how to make backcountry cocktails with foraged ingredients from a True Expert & Seasoned Biologist in the field. Limited Seating Event. Tickets $40. Contact us through Instagram or Call us at 719 838 4224 to Reserve your tickets today!

07/26/2026

🤠 Hartsel Days Annual Festival is coming up next weekend! Mark your calendars for August 1–2 for two days of small-town Colorado fun in Hartsel.

Saturday starts with a FREE pancake breakfast from 8–10 AM, courtesy of the Hartsel Fire Auxiliary, followed by the Bed Race, live auction, watermelon eating contest, Duck Challenge, Panty Polka Contest, music, vendors, the Hartsel Library Book & Bake Sale and more.

Then Sunday brings another full morning, including the Outhouse Race at 10 AM, Parade at 11 AM, and Coffin Race at noon. Check the updated schedule below for registration times and all the details!

Admission is free, so come spend part of your weekend in the Heart of Colorado. ❤️
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Ruh-roh. Correct schedule is below. Somehow we omitted the Hartsel Fire Auxiliary FREE pancake breakfast on Saturday! Also, please note the time change for the outhouse race and the parade. Sorry for any confusion!!