Last week, we talked about the can’t-miss South Park: Cartman’s Escape Room, which got us thinking: What is the town of South Park actually like? Is it anything like the show? Does it really exist? Come to find out, South Park is very real, but it isn’t quite what the show makes it out to be. Here is why:

Located in Park County, South Park is not an actual town but rather a 1,000-square-mile grassland complete with high valley ranges reaching an elevation of 9,000 to 10,000 feet. 
Flickr/Simon Foot
Named by hunters and trappers who frequented the area in the mid-19th Century, South Park experienced its first heyday in the early 1860s, when a whopping $1.5 million was in gold was discovered and extracted from the valley. 
Wikimedia Commons
Even after the gold mines began to dry and dwindle, the South Park area remained a popular place for visitors, thanks to ample fishing and hunting, and the pristine scenery that many people have come to associate with Colorado. 
Flickr/Simon Foot

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During the 1860s gold strikes, a few towns were christened along beautiful South Park, including Fairplay, which was established in 1859, re-named South Park City in 1869, and then changed back to Fairplay in 1874. 
Wikimedia Commons
While the town of South Park is mostly fictional, it does somewhat resemble Fairplay, which is home to nearly 750 residents, a charming downtown area, and yes, even a school. 
Flickr/Kent Kanouse
When you visit Fairplay, make sure to keep your eyes peeled for the subtle (and not-so-subtle) nods to the Comedy Central classic, which includes a gift shop, signs, and one-of-a-kind photo ops! 
Wikimedia Commons
While you may not bump into Eric, Kenny, Chef, or Towelie during your visit to South Park/Fairplay, you are guaranteed to still make memories in this picturesque area that looks like something off a Colorado postcard. 
Flickr/Simon Morris
To learn more about Fairplay/South Park and all the things to see and do in the area, please visit the Town of Fairplay's website.

To discover even more things to see and do around Fairplay/South Park, click on One Of The Creepiest Bed And Breakfasts In The World Is Right Here In Colorado.

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