Bailey is a beautiful highway town in Colorado. The rustic village located southwest of Denver is characterized by beautiful scenery. It is quaint, charming, and perched along a graceful curve in the South Platte River. Bailey is best known for its several trails for hiking, walking, and biking. The small city has a mountain wilderness backdrop with predominantly hilly terrain. Going on backpacking trips and full-day hikes is a popular activity for visitors to the town. The little region is a gateway to the South Park National Heritage Area, which features a variety of landscapes, and historic sites displaying the region’s rich mining and ranching heritage. Apart from hotels and Airbnb vacation rentals, the town also boasts a few restaurants, shops, and bars. For a vacation full of thrilling adventures, continue reading to find out about the top things to do in Bailey, Colorado.
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1. Try the burgers at Cutthroat Cafe
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Yum! Happy Friday #colorado #foodie #cutthroatcafe #weekendvibes #burgertime
Posted by Cutthroat Cafe on Friday, August 13, 2021
You will find the best cafes and restaurants in Bailey, Colorado. Cutthroat Cafe in Bailey, for example, offers a delectable dining experience that combines classic American fare with a touch of Rocky Mountain charm. Their menu boasts a range of mouthwatering burgers, including Husky Burger, a hearty delight featuring Canadian bacon and pepper jack cheese, and the indulgent patty melt, a savory treat with grilled onions and Swiss cheese. For those craving a bit of spice, the Longhorn Burger, topped with green or red chili and cheddar, is a flavorful choice.
The cafe also serves up satisfying cold sandwiches such as the classic BLT and egg. If you’re in the mood for hearty entrees, some of your choices are the chopped sirloin steak, chicken fried steak, and roast beef.
Cutthroat Cafe
Address: 157 Main St, Bailey, CO 80421, United States
Website: Cutthroat Cafe
Opening hours: Mon, Thu - Sat: 5am - 3pm; Tue: 5am - 8pm, Sun: 6am - 3pm (closed on Wed)
2. See historic structures at McGraw Memorial Park
Posted by Pete Jones on Tuesday, 2 September 2014
McGraw Memorial Park is an 8-hectare (20-acre) park in Downtown. The Park features a lot of historic structures, an 1864 log cabin and a schoolhouse from 1894. The Park County Historical Society maintains it. See the preserved artifacts, including a railroad bridge and other items from the old times. The park has been improved to include picnic facilities, a kayak launch and trout-fishing enhancements. You can tour the historic structures or relax among nature and enjoy your picnic. The park leads to a trail offering another 4 hectares (10 acres) for nature exploration.
McGraw Memorial Park
Address: 39 Wellington Lake Rd, Bailey, CO 80421, USA
Website: McGraw Memorial Park
3. Bike-hike through Castle Mountain Recreation Wellington Lake
Just topped Stoney Pass and I am on the downward run to Wellington Lake
Posted by Chuck Henderson on Monday, 25 July 2016
Wellington Lake is an iconic landmark in Pike National Forest. The lake is owned and managed by Castle Mountain Recreation. Castle Mountain Recreation offers a wide variety of activities: from camping to fishing, swimming and canoeing, mountain biking and hiking. There is a short trail that leads to the base of a cascading waterfall. The lake can be explored anytime, regardless of the season. During the winter season, you can enjoy activities like cross-country skiing, ice fishing, snowshoeing and how much more during summer?
Castle Mountain Recreation Wellington Lake
Address: 21843 Stoney Pass Rd, Bailey, CO 80421, USA
4. Grab a quick cup of coffee at The Coffee Shack
If you wake up in the mornings and you are craving for a coffee and a snack, the Coffee Shack is a perfect deal. This place is the go-to coffee shop in the city. They offer you the best coffee and the freshest espressos. The Coffee Shack is equipped with not only a coffee bar but also with a sunroom, drive-thru, and outside deck to sit down and have fun. The place offers excellent customer service and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.
The Coffee Shack
Address: 12 Rosalie Rd, Bailey, CO 80421, USA
Website: The Coffee Shack
Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 7am - 6pm; Mon - Fri: 5:30am - 6pm
5. Explore Mount Bailey
Posted by Alan Studt on Saturday, 3 August 2013
Mount Bailey is a mountain located near Bailey, Colorado. The little mountain has a 1.4 kilometers (0.9 miles) out and back trail with a lovely forest setting. Visitors mostly use the trail for walking, hiking, trail running, and nature trips. Take a hike to the top of the mountain and see the breathtaking panoramic views from the top. The trail up the mountain is rugged enough to keep you energized yet relaxed sufficient for everyone to follow. Just bring a bottle of water and a camera to capture the beautiful sights.
Mount Bailey
Address: Bailey, CO 80421, USA
6. Go backpacking across Brookside-McCurdy Trailhead
Bison Creek Summit 12,541'
Posted by Jarrod Brooks on Wednesday, 19 December 2018
The Brookside-McCurdy Trail is one of the great local hikes in Bailey. This trail features miles of beautiful Colorado backcountry in the Lost Creek Wilderness area. The path offers everything like beautiful spots for picnics and splendid mountainside views. One unique thing Brookside-McCurdy offers is a chance to go on a full 56.3-kilometer (35-mile) hike, which could last for days. So if you fancy a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, pack your camping bags and head to this exciting trail.
Brookside-McCurdy Trailhead
Address: Bailey, CO 80421, USA
Website: Brookside-McCurdy Trailhead
7. Delight in the magnificent views near Ben Tyler Trailhead
Posted by Avry Chmiel on Saturday, 29 June 2019
This trail is another popular one among tourists and locals alike. Named after Ben Tyler who operated a lumber mill in the town during the gold rush days, the trail has several attractions. See the colorful wildflowers that bloom in late spring and the vast aspen grove in the valley. The trail also offers you mesmerizing views of the entire valley from its high point. The Ben Tyler Trailhead spans right through the wilderness, offering you sights of the landscape that you will thoroughly admire.
Ben Tyler Trailhead
Address: 54166 US Hwy 285, Bailey, CO 80421, USA
Website: Ben Tyler Trailhead
8. Taste homemade wines at Aspen Peak Cellars
Wow, 4 GOLD and 1 SILVER at the Denver International Wine Competition! Our best results of any wine competition yet! We...
Posted by Aspen Peak Cellars on Friday, 28 June 2019
If you love wine, then you should know that you can spend a whole day tasting wines in Bailey. Aspen Peak Cellars is a winery in the city that offers you the perfect opportunity for a winery tour and wine tasting. Open every day except Sundays; the winery gives you a place to taste outstanding homemade wines. There is a kitchen where you can purchase a wide selection of dishes that go well with wine. If you visit the winery on a Saturday, you can catch an entertaining live performance too.
Aspen Peak Cellars
Address: 60750 US Hwy 285, Bailey, CO 80421, USA
Website: Aspen Peak Cellars
Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 11am - 6pm (closed on Mon & Tue)
9. Listen to terrifying Bigfoot stories at Sasquatch Outpost
Nothing gets more exciting out in the countryside than a Bigfoot sighting. Although you may not get that in Bailey, however, the town is home to the next best thing. Sasquatch Outpost is one of the unique destinations in Colorado. The outpost offers a fantastic collection of bigfoot memorabilia. Listen to eerie stories of sightings, share theories, and see fossilized footprints and first-hand accounts of real sightings. Whether or not you are a Bigfoot lover, the outpost is a must-see.
Sasquatch Outpost
Address: 149 Main St, Bailey, CO 80421, USA
Website: Sasquatch Outpost
Opening hours: Sun: 9am - 3pm; Mon - Sat: 9am - 5:30pm
Price: 3 USD
10. Experience kayaking with Alpine Rental Team
It's HOT out... but the water is cool.
Posted by Alpine Rental Team, Ltd. on Thursday, 28 June 2018
Some of the most scenic lakes in the country are found in Colorado. The lakes offer a place to spend quality time with family doing exciting activities. Alpine Rental Team also gives you a chance to rent inflatable rafts and boats, making it easy for anyone to enjoy exploring its beautiful surroundings. Rent an inflatable, set-up, kayak and enjoy a scenic cruise along Wellington Lake. Alpine Rental Team makes the whole process easy and fun-filled.
Alpine Rental Team
Address: 149 Main Street Bailey, Colorado
Website: Alpine Rental Team
Opening hours: Sun: 9am - 3pm; Mon - Sat: 8:30am - 6:30pm
11. Learn how beers are made at Mad Jack's Mountain Brewery
Mad Jack’s Mountain Brewery in Bailey, Colorado, was established in 2010. This home-turned-brewery is a popular tourist destination in Bailey. MJMB offers unique home-brewed beers made using recipes that have been developed over the years. The brewery features several beers including other Colorado Beers. They also have a great barbecue food truck from Wednesdays to Sundays weekly. A visit to the brewery even offers plenty of outdoor games and board games to keep the family entertained.
Mad Jack's Mountain Brewery
Address: 23 Main St, Bailey, CO 80421, USA
Website: Mad Jack’s Mountain Brewery
Opening hours: Fri - Sat: 11am - 10pm; Sun: 11am - 8pm; Mon: 4pm - 8pm; Tue - Thu: Tue - Thu: 11am - 8pm
12. Savor delicious hotdogs at Coney Island Boardwalk
The iconic diner Coney Island Boardwalk in Bailey, Colorado, is not a boardwalk as its name suggests. It is a 12.8-meter (42-foot) long, covered wiener resting on a 10.7-meter (35-foot) bun in Bailey that offers the best hotdogs in town. You can’t miss a stop at this excellent hotdog diner during your stay in this mountain area. The Boardwalk provides an extensive list of delicious hotdog options including modern twists like the Elk-jalapeño bratwurst. Initially built in 1996, this place was moved to Bailey in 2006. Enjoy gourmet, antibiotic-free dogs, and all-natural beverages at this iconic Colorado stand.
Coney Island Boardwalk
Address: 10 Old Stagecoach Rd POB 973, Bailey, CO 80421, USA
Website: Coney Island Boardwalk
Opening hours: Wed: 11am - 4pm; Thu - Sun: 11am - 5pm (closed on Mon & Tue)
13. Admire amazing local art at Fun and Funky Gallery
Fun and Funky gallery is a local artisan market and gift shop. The gallery displays artworks from indigenous Colorado artists. Admire works ranging from photography, jewelry, woodwork, stained glass and much more! It is a small and warm place that gives the local artists a place to display their work. The gallery has a gift shop where you can purchase lots of outdoor products and also a spot to but locally made taffy and coffee! It is a great place to see during your vacation.
Fun and Funky Gallery
Address: 4 River Dr, Bailey, CO 80421, USA
Website: Fun and Funky Gallery
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 5pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
14. Enjoy beautiful views along Rolling Creek Trailhead
This trailhead provides access to the Rolling Creek Trail and cross-state Colorado Trail. This trail is an exciting trail through the natural rocky terrains in Colorado. A hike through this path allows you to enjoy nature’s beauty, overcome steep climbs and see scenic views of the landscape from the top. As you near the end of the climb, the views open to The Castle and other stunning granite features that are common in the Lost Creek Wilderness.
Rolling Creek Trailhead
Address: Co Rd 68, Bailey, CO 80421, USA
Website: Rolling Creek Trailhead
15. Go fishing at Lynwood Park
Looking for an escape? Do you need a place to relax? Lynwood Park is where you should go. The park offers a large lodge area surrounded by peaceful green forests, a trout pond and the South Platte River. Enjoy the calming sounds of nature as you row out on the river and fish for trout. This place gives you a serene location to relax and let go of all your worries. It’s a special place to spend a tranquil day picnicking or fishing.
Lynwood Park
Address: 59786 US Hwy 285, Bailey, CO 80421, USA
Website: Lynwood Park
Opening hours: 8am - 7pm (daily)
16. Take a scenic walk through nature from Meridian Trailhead
Wildflowers everywhere!! Meridian Trailhead near Bailey CO this morning.
Posted by Shirley Addie Brink Woodland on Thursday, 26 June 2014
Mount Evans Meridian Trail is a 10.5 kilometers (6.5 miles) out and back trail in Colorado. This path is not usually crowded and features beautiful wildflowers throughout its course. It is an excellent site for a relaxing nature trip, hiking, walking, and bird watching. Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a leash. The highlight of this trail is the 0.4-kilometer (0.25-mile) long aspen grove about halfway up the trail. The path is perfect for fall hiking for outdoor lovers.
Meridian Trailhead
Address: Bailey, CO 80421, USA
Nearby things to do
17. Take a scenic drive along the Guanella Pass
Guanella Pass, located in the Rocky Mountains, is a favored destination for scenic drives due to its unparalleled natural beauty. Spanning an elevation of around 11,670 feet (3,557 meters), the pass leads to towering peaks, including the renowned Mt. Bierstadt and Mt. Evans.
The road winds through dense forests and alongside alpine meadows, providing an ever-changing landscape that’s particularly enchanting during the fall when the aspen trees transform into vibrant hues of gold. It’s easily reached from the Denver metropolitan area, making it a convenient day trip or weekend escape for those seeking awe-inspiring views without an extended journey.
Guanella Pass
Address: Clear Creek County, Colorado, USA
Website: Guanella Pass
Have an unforgettable adventure
Sitting along the South Platte River, rustic Bailey offers healthy doses of beautiful landscape in Colorado. The scenic backdrop lends a particular charm to this sleepy mountain town, and you will also find some of the best hikes near Bailey, Colorado. With a host of things to do here, your time here will be interesting, unforgettable, and fun-filled.
Should you decide to venture out further into the neighboring towns and cities, you will find plenty of Airbnb vacation rentals in Evergreen for your accommodation needs. Moreover, the Airbnb vacation rentals in Fairplay, just a short drive away from Bailey, offer a home-away-from-home experience.
Frequently asked questions about things to do in Bailey, Colorado
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