“Shooting here feels like stepping into another time. The stillness, the altitude, the way the stars wrap around you ~ it’s humbling. And when you see that frame in your viewfinder, everything clicks”
Let us tell you a little something about the land that kept calling us back until we finally listened and made it home.
📍Fairplay, Colorado.
Right in the heart of what’s officially called South Park.
Yep, that South Park. While you won’t find Kyle running over to Cartman’s house or Stan yelling – OMG, you killed Kenny 😁 Fairplay has the altitude, attitude and character that inspired the show’s name.
This wide valley at nearly 10,000 feet feels like something out of a dream. Think big sky energy, jagged mountain backdrops, gold rush ghost town and working ranches that still carry the grit and pride of the Old West.
Fairplay and the South Park basin have deep roots in mining history, but these days, it’s the silence, starlight and raw beauty that draw people here.
And those stars?
Thanks to the high altitude and almost zero light pollution, this is one of the best places in the state to photograph the Milky Way in all its glory.
We started coming out here over 7 years ago for weekend hikes, fresh air and quiet. And of course, the landscapes to photograph.
Before long, we knew this was home.
It’s no accident we chose Fairplay for our Bristlecone Pines & Milky Way Photography Workshop.
It’s not just about the location, it’s about the feeling this land gives you. It slows you down. Grounds you. And hands you the kind of compositions you only dream about.
🏔️ Fun Facts About Fairplay & South Park
- South Park is one of Colorado’s three major high-altitude valleys, known as “parks.” The others are North Park (Jackson County) and Middle Park (Grand County)
- The town of Fairplay was founded in 1859 during the Colorado Gold Rush and still holds that old mining-town charm
- It sits at nearly 10,000 feet, offering panoramic views, crisp alpine air, and world-class stargazing
- The area is home to ancient bristlecone pines, some of the oldest trees on Earth
- Every July for over 75 years, Fairplay hosts Burro Days – a quirky, beloved celebration featuring a 29-mile burro race to honor the hardworking pack animals that once hauled gear for prospectors across these rugged mountains
- The region is surrounded by fourteeners, alpine lakes and trails that feel untouched and wild
- Local wildlife? Expect deer, elk, moose, foxes, antelope, black bears, soaring hawks and maybe even a quiet lynx or bobcat if you’re lucky
If you’ve ever wanted to experience a slice of Colorado that still feels untamed, rooted and real… this is it!
Limited spots for June, July and August. Trust us – this will be a memorable one.
Clear Skies,