Sedalia, Colorado | Douglas County

Sedalia is a small Front Range town located 30 miles south of Denver off US-85. With a quaint and historic downtown, Sedalia is a great place to be surrounded by classic Colorado beauty and culture.

The town resides at 5,840 feet in Douglas County. At the time of 2020, the little town had a population of only 103. There’s been a Sedalia Post Office in town since 1872, with a zip code of 80135. It drew its name from Sedalia, Missouri.

History

Sedalia CO Historic Museum — Historic Sedalia Museum.

Before the 1860s, a large number of native peoples occupied the land that Sedalia is now established. Utes, Arapahoe, and Kiowas all co-lived in the Front Range plains. Like many Colorado towns, settlers came to the area in search of prosperity during the Gold Rush.

Sedalia became a popular place for failed miners to start ranches due to the abundance of luscious timber and land. Since the area was at the intersection of two creeks, it was a great place to start farming. After the Homestead Act was established, even more people settled and a small but strong community was created, but never officially incorporated.

Main Attractions

Sedalia CO Welcome Sign — Sedalia was founded in 1882.

Cherokee Ranch & Castle – Although not open to the public, Cherokee Ranch & Castle is a popular destination for those planning a wedding or large group event. The main draw is the ranch’s Scottish-style castle, perched atop a hill, where it houses 15th and 16th European art pieces.

Daniels Park – Listed on the National Registrar of Historic Places, Daniels Park borders Sedalia and Castle Pines. As Denver Mountain Park, it offers expansive views of the Front Range and a chance to see a herd of bison. Recently, $3.6 million was spent realigning the park for better viewing of the bison.

Bud’s Cafe & Bar – A one-dish-wonder type of eatery, Bud’s serves up a killer burger and chips plate. They also have a large selection of cold beer and spirits to enjoy.

Recreation

Devil's Head Trail — Devils Head National Recreation Trail. Photo by: Ethan Beute

While the town itself does not offer much in terms of outdoor recreation activities, it serves as the gateway to many surrounding outdoor adventures. Enjoy hiking and biking in the Pike National Forest or fly fishing in Platte River.

Camping –

Indian Creek campground is about 10 miles from town and has a small loop of 11 campsites. They are suitable for both RV and tent camping. There is no reservation system at this campground, so keep that in mind when planning your trip.
Flat Rock Campground is a popular seasonal spot for off-roaders. There are 19 sites and access to water and vault toilets.
Read more about the camping near Deckers and Sedalia.

Fishing –

Chatfield State Park is north of town and has a large reservoir that is great for boat or shore fishing. There are walleye and bass in the water.
Plum Creek runs near Sedalia and is a small stream with decent fly-fishing.

Hiking –

Devil’s Head Fire Lookout is the most popular hike in the area and covers about 1.4 miles, including 140 stairs. There is a beautiful lookout at the top with sweeping views of the surrounding area.
Roxborough State Park is a short drive west and is considered the Garden of the Gods of Denver with its beautiful rock formations and variety of winding trails. Some favorite hikes within the park include Willow Creek, Fountain Valley, and South Rim Loop trails.
Chatfield has a few trails around the park that make for a nice walk on a sunny day.

Special Events

Historic storefronts in downtown Sedalia, CO. Photo by: Kent Kanouse

Aug – Scottish Festival – This unique event celebrates all things Scottish over 2 days. There will be cultural activities including Scottish athletics and performances, historic reenactments, traditional food vendors, and even genealogy tracing.

While there aren’t any accommodations in this quiet town, you’ll find plenty of hotels in Castle Rock and hotels in Highlands Ranch nearby.