You’ll discover two distinct Buckskin Joe destinations in Colorado: the haunting original ghost town cemetery near Alma, where 211 souls rest among ornate ironwork and weathered markers, and the relocated theme park buildings now on private land near Gunnison. The accessible cemetery sits 1.2 miles west of Alma via County Road 10, tucked into Buckskin Gulch’s wooded expanse. From Denver, it’s a scenic 90-mile drive through South Park’s high country, where legendary figures like Horace Tabor found their final resting place amid Colorado’s mining heritage.
Key Takeaways
- The original Buckskin Joe mining town is now gone; only the cemetery with 211 graves remains near Alma, Colorado.
- Access the cemetery via Park County Road 10 or 8, driving 1.2 miles west of Alma on hard-packed dirt roads.
- Notable burials include “Silver King” Horace Tabor, his wife Augusta, and the legendary J. Dawson Hidgepath’s restless grave.
- The Buckskin Joe theme park operated until 2010 near Royal Gorge, featuring 30 authentic 19th-century buildings from across Colorado.
- Plan for a short 2-mile journey through open terrain to the wooded cemetery; US Forestry Service signs guide visitors.
The Original Mining Town: From Gold Rush to Ghost Town
In August 1860, as prospectors swept across Colorado’s rugged Mosquito Range during the fever pitch of the Pikes Peak Gold Rush, Joseph Higginbottom—better known as “Buckskin Joe”—struck gold along the banks of Buckskin Creek. This early days gold discovery transformed wilderness into opportunity almost overnight.
By September, the camp officially organized as Laurette, named for sisters Laura and Jeanette Dodge. The bustling mining boom attracted thousands—population estimates reached 5,000 at peak—as word spread of the Phillips lode‘s extraordinary $300,000 yield. Two hotels, fourteen stores, and a bank materialized by 1861. Buckskin Joe even became Park County’s seat in 1862. Among the town’s notable early residents, Horace Tabor operated both a store and served as postmaster during these boom years.
But freedom’s promise proved fleeting. When gold deposits exhausted by mid-decade and the mill closed in 1866, prosperity evaporated. Some of the town’s buildings, including the courthouse, were relocated to other areas. By 1880, silence reclaimed the mountains.
Two Buckskin Joes: Understanding the Historic Site and Theme Park
You’ll encounter two distinct Buckskin Joes when researching Colorado’s frontier history—the original 1860s gold mining settlement west of Fairplay that faded into obscurity, and the famous theme park built in 1957 near Cañon City.
MGM director Malcolm F. Brown created the attraction by assembling authentic 19th-century structures from across central Colorado, naming it after that nearly forgotten ghost town. The theme park featured 30 restored buildings transported from various locations, along with staged gunfights, stagecoach rides, and a full-service saloon that brought the Old West to life for visitors. The town was located 1 mile south of U.S. Route 50 along the road to the Royal Gorge Bridge. While the historic mining camp crumbled into the landscape decades ago, its namesake theme park became Colorado’s premier Old West destination, hosting Hollywood productions and entertaining visitors for over half a century.
Original Mining Town History
Before theme parks and Hollywood set pieces claimed the name, the original Buckskin Joe emerged as a genuine mining camp along Buckskin Creek in 1860, two miles west of present-day Alma in Park County. The gold discovery challenges began when prospectors struck ore in 1859, transforming wilderness into a thriving settlement of 2,000 to 5,000 souls by the early 1860s.
The camp’s meteoric rise included:
- County seat status gained January 7, 1862
- $16 million in gold extracted between 1859-1866
- Complete infrastructure with hotels, banks, and fourteen stores
Community decline factors hit hard by mid-1860s. Shallow lodes exhausted, pyritiferous ores proved untreatable, and residents scattered to richer prospects. The courthouse building moved to Fairplay in 1867, marking the official end of Buckskin Joe’s political significance. By 1880, only the cemetery remained—silent monument to Colorado’s volatile mining frontier.
Movie Set Theme Park
Between productions, you could’ve explored this living film set yourself. Daily gunfights crackled through the streets. Horse-drawn trolleys rattled past the saloon. A donkey even served as mayor, wandering freely through town.
The park operated until 2010, when billionaire William Koch purchased it for $3.2 million and relocated every board to his private ranch. Koch planned to move the historic ghost town buildings to his ranch near Gunnison, Colorado. The final day as a public attraction was September 12, 2010.
Visiting the Cemetery: What Remains of the Original Ghost Town
Today, all that remains of the original Buckskin Joe is its windswept cemetery, perched on a hillside less than two miles from Alma.
You’ll find it by driving seven miles west of Fairplay on Highway 9, turning left onto CR8 in Alma, then continuing approximately one mile until you spot the gravel road with a cemetery sign on your right.
Within this haunting burial ground rest 211 souls—their ornate iron gates and foreboding unidentified mounds telling stories of triumph and tragedy from Colorado’s mining frontier. Among those interred here is the legendary J. Dawson Hidgepath, a mysterious figure who arrived in town around 1863 and whose skeleton allegedly refused to stay buried, appearing throughout the area with wildflowers and love letters for decades after his death.
The camp was once home to “Silver King” Horace A. W. Tabor and his first wife, Augusta, before the gold played out and the town was abandoned. Little physical remains beyond this cemetery, with only a few old mine dumps and rock-lined streets marking where the bustling mining camp once stood.
Cemetery Location and Access
Tucked into Buckskin Gulch just 1.2 miles west of Alma, the old cemetery marks the sole remnant of a once-thriving mining camp that housed 2,000 hopeful prospectors during the 1860s Gold Rush. You’ll find it at coordinates 39.29080, -106.07690, accessible via Park County Road 10 or County Road 8—both offering reliable seasonal accessibility for standard vehicles.
The US Forestry Service provides signage guidance near the original townsite. Your route options include:
- Park County Road 10 – Main western route from Alma
- County Road 8 (Buckskin Road) – Direct path to cemetery entrance
- Hard-packed dirt surface – Slow driving recommended for spotting
The short journey spans under two miles through open terrain, delivering you to a 4-5 acre wooded expanse where pale tombstones rise from the forest floor. The burial ground itself follows no organized layout, with graves scattered throughout the wooded area in a pattern that reflects the cemetery’s frontier origins.
Notable Gravesites and Stories
Within this quiet woodland cemetery rest over 200 souls whose stories capture the raw desperation and dreams of Colorado’s gold rush era. You’ll discover ornate grave markers bearing European inscriptions, their iron gates outlasting the town itself.
Young miner Thomas Fahey’s stone tells a grim February tale—leaving his cabin for work, found only in June. The most bizarre legend belongs to J. Dawson Hidgepath, whose skeleton reportedly refused to stay buried, appearing on porches of spurned lovers with fresh flowers until finally disposed of in a Leadville outhouse.
Personal epitaphs echo in original languages, while crude crosses mark anonymous mounds. Mayor Willie’s anvil-carved marker reminds visitors that frontier justice was swift and final.
Getting There: Driving Routes From Denver and Major Cities
Reaching Buckskin Joe requires traversing Colorado’s mountainous terrain, though the journey’s difficulty depends entirely on which version you’re seeking.
For the original ghost town near Fairplay, you’ll navigate a rural landscape where mining operations once thrived. From Denver, take US-285 south approximately 85 miles to Fairplay, then Highway 9 west seven miles to Alma. Turn left onto CR8 Buckskin Street, continuing one mile to a gravel road marked by cemetery signs.
Three Major Access Routes:
- Denver to Original Site: US-285 to Fairplay, 4 hours total
- Colorado Springs to Theme Park Location: US-50 west via Cañon City, 1 hour
- Pueblo Approach: US-50 west 40 miles, under 1 hour
The theme park site sits eight miles west of Cañon City, though it closed in 2010. Check conditions before venturing onto mountain passes.
The Theme Park Era: A Hollywood Dream That Came and Went
Long before theme parks became corporate enterprises, a Hollywood director named Malcolm F. Brown built something authentic in 1957—a real film set constructed from 30 salvaged buildings scattered across central Colorado. You’d have found genuine frontier artifacts here, including Horace Tabor’s original general store from the 1860s ghost town.
When filming wrapped, Brown opened the gates to tourists in 1958. No admission fees, just pure Old West entertainment—gunfights, stagecoaches, and even a donkey serving as mayor. Over 20 films featuring legends like John Wayne and Jane Fonda were shot here.
But tourism revenue decline and financial troubles eventually caught up with this Hollywood dream. After 53 years of operation, Buckskin Joe closed in 2010, sold to a private collector who relocated everything to his ranch.
What You’ll Find Today at Both Locations
Today’s Buckskin Joe exists in two distinct places separated by mountain ranges and vastly different purposes. You’ll find the original site 7 miles west of Fairplay—a weathered pioneer cemetery accessible by regular car along bumpy CR8. It’s raw, authentic, and untamed.
The theme park remnants tell a different story. Though closed since 2010, you can still spot structures along the Royal Gorge Bridge road, 8 miles west of Cañon City. William Koch relocated 30 preserved structures board-by-board to his private Gunnison ranch.
At both locations, you’ll encounter:
- Authentic 19th-century atmosphere minus crowds
- Hauntings and legends of Silver Heels’ veiled ghost
- Freedom to explore Colorado’s unfiltered past
Only Horace Tabor’s general store remains from the actual townsite—everything else scattered across private land.
Nearby Attractions to Complete Your Colorado Adventure
While Buckskin Joe’s ghostly remnants spark your imagination, the Cañon City area delivers enough adventures to fill several days.
You’ll find the Royal Gorge Bridge suspended 1,178 feet above the Arkansas River, offering gondola rides and thrill attractions that’ll quicken your pulse. Skyline Drive‘s narrow ridge provides sweeping panoramas and nearby archaeological sites featuring dinosaur tracks embedded in ancient stone.
Local outdoor adventures await at Red Canyon Park and Temple Canyon, where trails wind through striking rock formations. The Museum of Colorado Prisons reveals the region’s darker history, while the Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience brings prehistoric giants to life. Garden Park Fossil Area lets you explore actual excavation sites where paleontologists unearthed massive specimens that now grace museums worldwide.
Best Times to Visit and What to Bring
The museum welcomes visitors year-round from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, with last entry at 4:30 p.m., though you’ll want to plan around four major holiday closures: New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Plan your visit around the museum’s 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule and avoid the four major holiday closures throughout the year.
Summer offers gold panning opportunities from May through September, while winter transforms the venue into an ideal off season activities destination when weather conditions keep you indoors. The indoor exhibits shine regardless of rain or snow.
Pack these essentials for your adventure:
- Quarters for shooting galleries and player pianos
- Camera to capture authentic stagecoaches and artifacts
- Comfortable shoes for exploring the wooden promenade
Bring cash for gift shop ticket purchases and snacks for your 1-2 hour visit. No special preparation needed—just show up ready to explore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Any Fees to Visit the Original Buckskin Joe Cemetery?
You won’t encounter any fees to visit the original Buckskin Joe Cemetery. The fee structure remains nonexistent, keeping this historic burial ground freely accessible. Site preservation efforts maintain this authentic remnant without charging admission, honoring Colorado’s mining heritage.
Can You Camp Overnight Near the Historic Ghost Town Site?
Unlike frontier pioneers who bedded down anywhere, you’ll find backcountry camping prohibited at Buckskin Joe’s ruins. However, primitive campsites available at nearby Kite Lake Campground offer your best legal option for experiencing this high-elevation ghost town adventure.
Is the Cemetery Accessible During Winter Months With Snow?
Cemetery accessibility during snowfall becomes challenging but possible with four-wheel-drive vehicles. Winter visitation guidelines recommend caution on snow-covered gravel roads. You’ll find the scenic blanket of snow creates stunning views, though conditions may render passage impassable during heavy storms.
Were Any Notable Outlaws or Famous Figures Buried at Buckskin Joe?
No famous gunslingers buried or notable figures interred rest here. You’ll find miners, Civil War veterans, and legendary nurse Silver Heels commemorated nearby instead. Outlaws like the Reynolds Gang met their end elsewhere in Colorado’s wild territories.
Can You Still See Building Foundations at the Original Town Location?
Like whispers fading into mountain wind, Buckskin Joe’s physical remnants have vanished entirely. You won’t find building foundations at the original site—historical preservation efforts focus on the natural landscape, leaving only memories where a bustling town once thrived.
References
- https://www.islands.com/2055834/buckskin-joe-colorado-thriving-gold-mine-town-now-abandoned-ghost-town/
- https://royalgorgeregion.com/buckskin-joe/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckskin_Joe
- https://westernmininghistory.com/towns/colorado/buckskin-joe/
- https://exploreparkcounty.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/buckskin_brochure.pdf
- https://janmackellcollins.wordpress.com/2023/10/06/the-unearthly-lover-of-buckskin-joe-colorado/
- https://southparkheritage.org/where-have-all-the-ghost-towns-gone-by-christie-wright/
- https://kool1079.com/colorado-was-once-home-to-nations-largest-old-west-theme-park/
- https://kids.kiddle.co/Buckskin_Joe
- https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/state-pride/colorado/lost-tourist-attraction-co
