Park County, Colorado
Park County is located in Colorado’s high country, where wide-open plains meet the rugged Rocky Mountains. U.S. Highway 285 runs through the county, connecting its small communities and providing access to the surrounding mountain landscapes. Around 18,000 people live across the county, giving it a quiet, rural character.
Fairplay serves as the county seat and is a historic mining town with a strong connection to Colorado’s frontier past. The town is also widely associated with South Park, the fictional Colorado community featured in the popular television series.
Outdoor recreation is a major attraction in Park County. The South Platte River offers excellent opportunities for fishing, while Eleven Mile State Park is popular for camping, boating, and fishing around its large reservoir. With its high elevations, mountain scenery, and historic communities, Park County combines outdoor adventure with a distinctly old-fashioned frontier spirit.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Park County |
| County Seat | Fairplay |
| Etymology | Named after South Park, a large grassland basin within the county |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Fairplay, Alma, Bailey, Guffey, Como, Hartsel, Lake George, Jefferson |
| Interstates and Highways | U.S. Highway 285, U.S. Highway 24, State Highway 9, State Highway 77 |
| FIPS Code | 08-093 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 2,211 square miles (land: 2,194 sq mi, water: 17 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Clear Creek County (North), Jefferson County (Northeast), Teller County (East), Fremont County (Southeast), Chaffee County (Southwest), Lake County (West), Summit County (Northwest) |
| Time Zone | Mountain Time Zone (MST/MDT) |
| Population | Approximately 18,000 |
| State | Colorado |
| Coordinates | 39.0898° N, 105.5940° W |
| Major Landmarks | Pike National Forest, South Park City Museum, Mount Lincoln, Eleven Mile State Park |
