Inside the town that inspired the real-life South Park where fans can visit quirky historic homes in an outdoor haven

The famous animated series South Park is said to be inspired by a real city in the United States.

While series co-creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone have never publicly acknowledged the theory, Colorado residents believe the cartoon was inspired by their city.

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Parker and Stone met while attending the University of Colorado and filmed the animated series South Park in the state.

Located in the South Park Valley, Fairplay, Colorado was once called South Park.

Located about 85 miles southwest of Denver, Fairplay is a city of fewer than 800 people in Park County.

Its history dates back to the 1850s when it was settled as a mining town during the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush.

In 1869 the city was named South Park City, but was renamed Fairplay in 1874.

Located in the South Park Valley among 14,000 foot peaks, Fairplay has several nearby rivers.

In 2009, Congress designated South Park and the Fairplay area as a National Heritage Area for its landscape and history.

Although the animated city of South Park does not exist in real life, many have claimed that fair play has a similar character.

For example, Fairplay holds a Burro Days festival each year, which attracts around 10,000 visitors.

The festival features prizes, rides and the well-known Running of the Burros.

A season 2 episode of South Park had a strikingly similar festival – but with cows instead of donkeys.

VISITING FAIR PLAY

Fairplay has a lot to offer for those who want to experience the supposedly real version of the animated city.

First off, South Park City is a historical museum built in the 1950s that pays homage to the city’s mining roots.

The museum consists of 44 historic buildings and structures and 60,000 artifacts dating from the 1860s to the 1890s.

Visitors can walk through the old buildings as they were originally constructed for an authentic experience of the mining town.

South Park City is open daily from May 15th to October 15th.

For those who enjoy outdoor adventures, Fairplay Beach is a must.

The beach features a revitalized section of the South Platte River with a growing trout population.

Beachgoers can also try their luck panning for gold at designated spots.

Main Street and Front Street are home to most of the shops and restaurants in Fairplay.

Here, visitors can enjoy local cafes, restaurants, shops and art galleries in addition to larger chain stores.

Visitors will find that the city has designed many signs, shops, and even merchandise to represent the real South Park.

For those looking to stay a few days or more, there are a handful of hotels and campgrounds in Fairplay.