Alma, CO

Downtown Alma

"Alma is the highest incorporated town in North America at 10,578 feet. Founded in 1873, the town boasts an estimated population of 275 (2000 census: 179), with an estimated 1,000 residents in nearby subdivisions. Mix with the locals at one of a couple of its restaurants/bars, or the health food store/coffee shop, explore intriguing shops, and mail off the treasures you bought at the post office, and inquire about life above it all at one of the real estate offices." - http://townofalma.com/

 While I normally wouldn't put a whole town as a place to visit, the entire town of Alma is probably smaller than most shopping malls, it is a cute little town to stop and stretch, walk around, have a meal or a drink (if you are going to have a drink, keep the altitude in mind, if you aren't used to it you'll get drunk... fast!). There's a bar and a saloon "Alma's Only Bar" and "South Park Saloon"... I guess there really is a difference between a bar and a saloon, who knew?

South Park Saloon - The Highest Saloon in the USA

There's a marijuana dispensary (they kinda take that 'highest town in the country' claim seriously). And there are a few shops, but based on the stops I've made in Alma, finding any of the shops actually open is pretty hit or miss.

Alma is only 17 miles from Breckenridge over Hoosier Pass and 6 miles off of Hwy 285 in Fairplay. Definitely worth visiting, even if just to say that you have been to the highest town in the country.

The Real South Park & Its Claim to Fame

South Park, by now we have all seen the TV show and it's probably the only reason that most people outside of Colorado (and probably even some people in Colorado) have even heard of South Park. There is a good reason that most people haven't heard of the real South Park, because honestly there's not much to it.

I know, I probably shouldn't be taking pictures while driving, it's a bad habit

Yep, that's it, that's South Park. South Park isn't a town, it is a valley located pretty much in the center of Colorado. It's still a beautiful area, it's pretty well known around here as a great place for hunting and fishing, neither of which things interest me. Although there isn't really much to South Park itself, it is home to Fairplay, Alma, and what is left of the old mining town South Park City.

South Park City has been fully restored and is only open to the public from May to October, and quite honestly having spent twenty-some odd years of my life living 30 miles away, I have actually never paid the money to go into the actual restored 'city'.

I have spent plenty of time in Fairplay over, there was a time in my life where Fairplay was my go-to 'get away from it all' spot. Not that there is a lot to do, but there are a few restaurants, bars, a bowling alley. It does tend to be more of a place that people pass through rather than a destination, but it is definitely worth stopping, even if it's just to explore the town a little bit, if you ever do find yourself passing through.

If you are ever passing through and are looking for a place to stop for a burger and a drink, just a few miles outside of Fairplay (on HWY 9) you will find yourself in Alma where you can find 'The Highest Saloon in the Country', the South Park Saloon. Yep, South Park's true claim to fame (in my opinion anyway), being the home to the highest saloon in the country at 10,580 feet. Although if you do stop for a drink, it's probably a good idea to keep in mind that you are drinking at a much higher elevation than most of us are used to... you'll get drunk faster! But at least you'll get to say 'I drank at the highest saloon in the country'.

Thanks for reading!

Small Town Colorado

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