Photo: Hogs555, CC BY-SA 3.0
- County
- Park (unincorporated)
- Elevation
- 7,740 ft
- Population
- About 8,200 (80421)
- Downtown Denver
- About 45 mi · about 1 hr
- Nearest ski area
- Loveland · about 1 hr 30 min
- Schools
- Platte Canyon School District
Drive times are typical and change with traffic and weather.
Living in Bailey
What it's like to live in Bailey
Bailey is an unincorporated community in Park County, set in Platte Canyon along US 285 and the North Fork of the South Platte River. William Bailey started a ranch and stage station here in 1864, and the railroad arrived in 1878.
It is one of the larger communities in the Platte Canyon area, with a small Main Street that includes the 1906 Bailey Country Store and the hot-dog-shaped Coney Island stand. Public land is all around: Lost Creek Wilderness to the south, the Buffalo Creek trail system, and the Colorado Trail nearby.
Bailey suits people who want a quieter, more rural mountain life and don't mind a longer drive to Denver. Many homes sit on hillsides off US 285, so plan around wells, septic, and winter roads.
Where it is
Where Bailey sits on the Front Range
Hover a pin for a quick look. Click to open that town's guide.
Neighborhoods
Where to look in Bailey
Downtown Bailey
The small Main Street core along the North Fork, with the 1906 Bailey Country Store and McGraw Memorial Park.
Crow Hill
The rise east of town where US 285 drops into Platte Canyon.
Harris Park
A small mountain community at about 8,850 feet bordering Pike National Forest.
Estabrook
A National Register historic district with a rustic lodge, cabins, and an old railroad bridge.
Shawnee
A small community west of Bailey on US 285 at about 8,100 feet, platted in 1900 as a summer resort.
Get outside
Things to do in Bailey
- 01
Lost Creek Wilderness
About 120,000 acres of national forest south of Bailey, with about 130 miles of trail and granite domes and arches.
- 02
Buffalo Creek Recreation Area
More than 60 miles of singletrack, with the Colorado Trail running through it.
- 03
North Fork of the South Platte
The river runs through town, and McGraw Memorial Park is a local trout spot.
- 04
Staunton State Park
Nearly 4,000 acres and about 37 miles of trails, reached from US 285 east of Bailey.
- 05
Bailey Day
An annual street festival. Bailey also hosts the Bailey Hundo, a 100-mile mountain bike race.
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Latest from Bailey
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FAQ
Bailey questions, answered
How far is Bailey from downtown Denver?
About 45 miles on US 285, usually about an hour or more. Weather and traffic can add a lot of time.
What county is Bailey in?
Park County. Bailey is unincorporated, and county offices are in Fairplay.
What is the elevation of Bailey?
About 7,740 feet in town. Nearby areas like Harris Park sit closer to 8,850 feet.
Which school district serves Bailey?
Platte Canyon School District, with its elementary, middle, and high schools all in Bailey.
Do Bailey homes use wells and septic?
Many do. Park County requires septic permits, new wells need a state permit, and the county recommends lab-testing well water.
How far is Bailey from the ski areas?
Loveland Ski Area is about 70 miles away, roughly an hour and a half in good conditions.
Nearby