Bailey, Colorado | Park County

Bailey is a small Highway 285 town located about 45 minutes southwest of Denver. There are a few restaurants and shops on Main Street that winds through town and crosses the highway.

The main part of town resides at the bottom of a steep winding section of the highway through Platte Canyon at an elevation of 7,739 feet. The easternmost Park County community had a population of 9,931 in 2020.

History

Bailey CO Wren Log Cabin — Historic Wren log cabin.

In 1864 William Bailey settled in the area, building a ranch, a stagecoach, and later a hotel. The railroad reached the town in 1878, the same year Bailey established its post office.

Many miners and laborers used this rail line for transportation through the corridor, and Bailey was the perfect place to stop along the way. The most notable lodging built was the Glen Isle Lodge, which spanned 160 acres and is now on the National Register of Historic Places. The success of the lodge encouraged other residents to start small businesses such as a general store and a theater.

Bailey continued to slowly expand and establish roots in the coming years, although it was never officially incorporated as a town. Today, it has a lively community of dedicated residents that love living outside of the bustle of metro Denver.

Main Attractions

Coney Island Boardwalk Hot Dog Stand Bailey Colorado — Vintage cars parked in front of the vintage diner.

Coney Island Boardwalk – Shaped like a giant hot dog, this cafe makes a fun stop while cruising on Highway 285. It was moved from Aspen Park in 2006. They’ll gladly hook up your four-legged friend with a bite to eat too!

Treehouse Adventure Park – A treetop village reminiscent of Swiss Family Robinson, this adventure park has multiple ziplines and high-rope obstacles to keep the whole family entertained. The courses are self-guided, rain or shine, and take about 2-3 hours to complete.

Recreation

Alpine forest and view of Mt. Bierstadt — View of Mt. Bierstadt from Guanella Pass, near Bailey, CO. Photo by: Tom Wilberding

Camping –

Tucked away in the Pike National Forest, Deer Creek Campground offers thirteen campsites that can accommodate either tents or RVs. Sites are first-come, first-serve with no dump stations, or electric and water hookups.
There are also numerous dispersed campsites located to the right of the campground along Deer Creek. Take County Rd 43 north, seven miles until you reach the sites.
The Glen Isle Resort, listed below under “Accommodations”, has campsites too, located close to the downtown of Bailey.
Read about camping near Conifer, Pine, Bailey, and Grant.

Fishing –

Sections of the North Fork of the South Platte River surrounding Bailey have opportunities to catch decently sized trout and casually fly fish.
Head about 40 minutes southeast of town to Wellington Lake if you want a guaranteed catch. It is a peaceful, privately owned alpine lake that is stocked with multiple types of trout.
Read about the lakes and rivers to fish near Fairplay and Bailey.

Hiking –

Deer Creek Trail is a very popular, moderate trail in the Mt. Evans Wilderness. There are plenty of spots to see wildlife along this path, but be sure to bring layers because the trail hits some high elevations.
Guanella Pass has multiple options for hiking that are suitable for any level of explorer.
Read about the hiking trails near Bailey.

Accommodations

Glen Isle Resort Bailey Colorado — Stay overnight at the historic Glen Isle Resort in Bailey, CO. Photo by: Jeffrey Beall

Bailey Lodge – This rustic lodge was recently remodeled and is ready to treat guests to a mountain getaway. There is a fire pit, fishing pond, and outdoor pool for guests to reconnect to nature during their stay.

Glen Isle Resort – An iconic accommodation that has been serving Bailey since 1901, this resort offers 14 unique private cabins as well as 8 rooms for rent. The hotel is pet-friendly and has plenty of outdoor spaces to enjoy. There is also camping permitted on-site.

Two Bridges Lodge – Located right downtown within walking distance of food and shops. Two Bridges Lodge covers 40 acres of land along the South Platte River and offers many types of accommodation. Choose from a private cabin, hostel dorms, or tent camping sites.

Read about the best hotels in Bailey, Pine and Grant.

Special Events

Bike riders on a mountain trail — Riders at The HUNDO mountain biking race, held annually in Bailey, CO. Photo by: facebook.com/baileyhundo

Jun – Bailey Day – Annual Old West-themed summer street festival with live music, local vendors, and family activities.

Jun – The HUNDO – Annual June race featuring 45 miles of single-track in a 100-mile race. It starts in downtown Bailey. The race benefits two youth bike initiatives.