Bailey, Colorado: Where Fun is Always on the Menu – Best Things to Do and Places to Visit!
The trails cost you nothing at all and there are 130 miles of them in Lost Creek alone. Pike National Forest runs well over 1,000 miles more on top of the whole of that. Fishing. The Sasquatch Outpost and the 1864 Log Cabin are both of them small money as well. And Treehouse Adventure Park is where the spending actually happens out here in Bailey.
Bailey, Colorado is a small town sitting inside the Pike National Forest. It works for anybody who needs the city off them for a while. The town runs a range of things to do that will suit most people, time outdoors, cultural and historical sites, shopping, and food and drink.
If you want to be outside, you will take to the hiking trails, the mountain biking and the fishing that Bailey runs. The town has the Rocky Mountains standing around it, which makes it work for anybody who wants to be out in it. And if you want the cultural and historical side, visit McGraw Memorial Park, which holds historic structures that open the town’s past up.
Bailey also runs a range of food and drink, local breweries and wineries with tours and tastings among it. And if you want to shop, the town’s local shops and boutiques run gifts and souvenirs you will not see twice. A slow week or a week that costs you something, Bailey, Colorado covers both.
Key Takeaways
- Bailey, Colorado is a small town located in the beautiful Pike National Forest that offers a variety of activities that cater to different interests.
- Outdoor enthusiasts will love the hiking trails, mountain biking, and fishing opportunities that Bailey has to offer.
- Bailey also has a variety of food and drink options, cultural and historical sites, and shopping opportunities.
Exploring the Outdoors
Bailey works hard for anybody who wants to be outside. Hiking, biking, paddling, fishing or skiing, you will find plenty here. Here are the strongest ways to get out and let the week go in Bailey.
Hiking in Lost Creek Wilderness Area
If you walk, you will take to the Lost Creek Wilderness Area. With over 130 miles of trails, this wilderness area runs everything from easy walks to treks that will cost you something. What you get back is towering rock formations, clear streams and wildflowers in bloom. And bring your camera for it.
Mountain Biking in Pike National Forest
If you would rather ride than walk, head to the Pike National Forest for the mountain biking. With over 1,000 miles of trails, Pike National Forest runs something at every level. From smooth flowing singletrack to technical rocky descents, there is plenty here to work. Just wear a helmet and carry plenty of water.
Kayaking on the South Platte River
Looking for something on the water? Grab your kayak and head to the South Platte River. This river runs everything from calm stretches to rapids. You will spot wildlife such as trout, beavers and eagles, and you can get in for a swim on a hot day.
Fishing at Wellington Lake
If you fish, do not miss Wellington Lake. This lake is stocked with trout, and there is plenty of water to cast into. You can fish from the shore, from a dock, or rent a boat and work the lake from out on it.
Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
When the snow comes, Bailey changes entirely. If you want a way to work the snow, try cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. The Lost Creek Wilderness Area and Pike National Forest run miles of groomed trails and backcountry routes, where the quiet does its own work and you may see elk, deer and foxes.
So get outside and let Bailey do what it does. Hiking, biking, paddling, fishing or skiing, the day will stay with you.
Cultural and Historical Sites
Bailey, Colorado is more than time outdoors and country. It also carries a cultural and historical side that runs deep. Here are the cultural and historical sites in Bailey to take:
Sasquatch Outpost
Are you a bigfoot follower? Then do not miss the Sasquatch Outpost in Bailey. This specialty museum is given over to the creature and runs a broad range of bigfoot merchandise. You can also work the history of bigfoot sightings in the area and hear the stories from locals who say they have seen it. And you might see something yourself.
1864 Log Cabin
Step back and visit the 1864 Log Cabin in Bailey. This structure was built by one of the area’s first settlers and is now a museum showing what life was for the early pioneers. You can see real artifacts out of the period and work what those who settled here were up against.
Main Street Bailey
Take a walk down Main Street Bailey and let the age of the place settle on you. You will see preserved old buildings, a former stagecoach stop and hotel among them. There are also several art galleries and specialty shops where you can find souvenirs you will not see twice.
History follower or simply somebody wanting a break from being outside, Bailey runs plenty of cultural and historical sites. From bigfoot to the early pioneers, it covers a lot of ground. So put these on the list and go and work the heritage of Bailey, Colorado.
Food and Drink
Bailey, Colorado will feed you, with a range of cooking and flavours that covers most palates. Here are the strongest places to eat or drink in Bailey:
Coney Island Boardwalk
You do not have to get to New York for the Coney Island Boardwalk. Bailey’s own Coney Island Boardwalk earns the stop for anybody who follows hot dogs and sandwiches. The hot dogs carry real flavour, and the sandwiches come piled with fresh ingredients. A classic Coney Island hot dog or a sandwich that will hold you, both are here.
Aspen Peak Cellars
If you follow wine, Aspen Peak Cellars is the place. This family-owned winery runs wines across the board, from crisp whites to full-bodied reds. Their Albariño is the one to order, with its citrus and tropical fruit. But it is not only the wine at Aspen Peak Cellars, because the view does its own work. Sit down with a glass and let the mountains do the rest.
Cutthroat Cafe
Looking for a proper dinner after a day of fishing or hiking? Cutthroat Cafe is the answer. This restaurant serves comfort food that holds, burgers, steaks and pasta among it. But what sets Cutthroat Cafe apart is the craft beer. With over 20 beers pouring, something there will land. And if you cannot choose, the staff will point you at one.
Whatever you are after, Bailey has it. So take a hot dog, a glass of wine, or a cold beer, and let this town do the rest.
The 1864 Log Cabin was put up by one of the very first settlers out here. Main Street still has the old stagecoach stop and the hotel standing on it. McGraw Memorial Park holds the historic structures out on its ground. The Sasquatch Outpost collects all of the local sighting stories. And Guanella Pass has run through these mountains for a very long time now.
Shopping
Bailey is a small town, but it runs stores where you can find gifts and souvenirs worth carrying home. Here are the strongest places to shop in Bailey:
Cool Stuff for Sale
If you want items you will not see twice, check out The Sasquatch Outpost. This store runs everything from Bigfoot-themed t-shirts and hats to Sasquatch-shaped salt and pepper shakers. You can also find books and documentaries on Bigfoot sightings and theories. It holds up even if you do not believe a word of it.
The other store in Bailey worth the stop is Fun & Funky Art Gallery and Gifts. As the name says, this shop runs art with real character in it. You can find everything from colorful paintings and sculptures to handmade jewelry and pottery. The store also runs a strong selection of greeting cards and small gifts.
If you follow crystals and gemstones, stop by Native Vibrations Colorado Crystals & Gifts. This store runs a deep selection of crystals, amethyst, rose quartz and citrine among them. You can also find jewelry, candles and other spiritual items. The staff know the stock and will help you find what you are after.
Bailey may not run many shopping options, but the stores it has earn the stop. You will come out with something you will not find elsewhere.
Outdoor Activities
Ropes Course and Zip Lines
Looking for something outdoors that asks a bit of you? Head to Treehouse Adventure Park, where you can test yourself on their ropes course and zip lines. This treetop village, which reads like Swiss Family Robinson, runs multiple ziplines and high-rope obstacles that will hold you for hours. The courses are self-guided, rain or shine, and take about 2-3 hours.
If heights do not bother you, this is where to go. The park runs different levels of difficulty, so you can take the one that fits. Beginner or experienced climber, something here will test you. And do not worry about falling, because the staff will have you secured before you move.
Camera and Wildlife Spotting
Bailey holds some of the strongest wildlife in Colorado. If you follow the natural world, grab your camera and head to one of the hiking trails in the area. Keep your eyes up for bighorn sheep, elk, deer and the rest of what lives here.
One of the strongest places to spot wildlife is along the Guanella Pass Scenic Byway. This 22-mile stretch of road opens the mountains and valleys out around you, and it is where the wildlife turns up. Bring your camera, because you never know.
If you want somebody who knows the ground, book a wildlife tour. There are several companies in the area running guided tours of the local wildlife, bighorn sheep among it. These tours are how to work the area’s wildlife and get close to what lives here.
Accommodation and Camping
If you want somewhere to stay in Bailey, Colorado, there are several options. Camping, a cabin, or the comfort of a lodge, all three are covered.
Camper and Picnic Facilities
Bailey runs strong camper and picnic facilities, so you can be outdoors without giving up comfort. You can rent a camper or bring your own and park it at one of the campgrounds in the area. Some of them run picnic facilities, so you can eat with family and friends around you.
Fire Pit and Campgrounds
If you camp, the fire pit and campgrounds in Bailey will hold you. There is nothing like sitting round a fire with the people you came with, telling stories and making s’mores. Some of the campgrounds run fire pits already set up, so all you bring is the marshmallows.
When you are planning your trip to Bailey, work the different accommodation and camping options. Rough camping or a cabin with a bit of comfort in it, something here will fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any cool events happening in Bailey, Colorado?
Yes, there is always something on in Bailey, Colorado. From music festivals to art shows, the town keeps running.
Any recommendations for wineries to visit in Bailey, Colorado?
Bailey, Colorado holds strong wineries. One of the strongest is Aspen Peak Cellars, which runs a range of wines with the mountains opening out behind them. The other option is Mount Bailey, which runs strong wine and also tours of their vineyard.
Is the weather in Bailey, Colorado as unpredictable as my ex?
We cannot speak to your ex, but the weather in Bailey, Colorado does move around. Check the forecast before you head out for the day. In general you can expect warm summers and cold winters, with plenty of snow. Just bring layers and be ready for whatever turns up.
Frequently asked questions about Bailey, Colorado
How many miles of trail are there in the Lost Creek wilderness near Bailey, then, really?
Over 130 miles of it out there, running from the easy walks right up to serious treks. Pike National Forest adds over 1,000 miles more on top of that, mostly for the bikes. Rock formations, the clear streams and all of the wildflowers when they are properly out. Camera.
What exactly is inside the Sasquatch museum over at Bailey, then, really now, in the end?
Bigfoot, and the whole of the place is given over to that one subject alone. You get the history of all the local sightings and the stories from the people out here. The shop runs the t-shirts, the books and all the Sasquatch salt and pepper shakers. Optional.
What fish exactly are in the Wellington lake near Bailey, then, really now, these days?
Trout, and the lake is stocked with them so you will get something out of it. You can fish from the shore, from a dock, or rent yourself a boat right out there. The South Platte River is the other water out there, and that one of them takes a kayak. Beavers.
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