In Town Archives - Bushwhack Lodge

August 3, 2025August 3, 2025Historic, In Town, Scenic Views

Things to do in Lake City, CO #11: Scavenger Hunt at Hinsdale County Museum

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the museum, we will make them our next Things To Do in Lake City! We obviously love everything about the museum but I have a few personal highlights. The first is that the scavenger hunt keeps my kids engaged and having fun for literal hours. Honestly, it does not seem to matter how many times they have done it.

My next favorite thing is the outdoor space. Being outdoors is the main reason we all come to Lake City. The museum understood the assignment. Half of the museum is outdoors. There is a gorgeous garden and places to sit. You can poke around the garage or the old buildings. It is a truly wonderful experience.

Lastly, the history of Lake City is engaging. I am a museum goer. If I am in a new place I will go to the museum. I have been to a lot of new places. Thus… many museums. I would say that the content in our museum is more engaging than 99% of the history museums I have been to. It is a combo of the actual history being engaging and the fact that there are many historical objects and not just pictures or descriptions. It also houses an incredible archive of old newsprint. It is recent enough history to feel relevant and old enough that the people documented there lived lives on what feels like another planet.

More formal info:

Nestled in the heart of historic downtown Lake City, the Hinsdale County Museum sits in the storied Finley Block building—Lake City’s first stone commercial structure built in 1877. With its handsome facade of dressed and rough stone, once called the “Stone Trade Palace,” it later housed the Odd Fellows Hall before the Historical Society transformed it into the museum we love today

Detail	Info
Location	130 N. Silver Street (at the corner of Second & Silver Streets) in downtown Lake City
Summer hours (Memorial Day–Labor Day)	Monday–Saturday: 10 AM–5 PM; Sunday: 1–4:30 PM lakecitymuseum.com
Admission	Adults $8; children under 10: $2; under 5 free

Please also check the calendar and join on one of the many tours they host.

July 20, 2025July 29, 2025In Town, Kid Friendly, Scenic Views, Walk

Things to do in Lake City, CO #8: North Loop Around Lake City

This may seem like a silly thing to post about but I think many people come visit our town and never stroll around. I blame this on the fact that nobody has written a post about how it is important to just wander the town :). So here we go.

For the moment, we will assume you will visit the center of Lake City at some point. We will call this the Town Park or Bushwhack Lodge area. This is a great chance to take a break from eating or buying or playing and just go for a stroll. From the middle of town you can loop to the north or south. North is a bit longer than south but both are easy strolls for all ages. Both loops will take you by the river and by some historic buildings. You can start with historic buildings or with the river in either case.

In our case, in the video, we took a northern loop starting with the river. To repeat this path you will walk eastward on the sidewalk from the the middle of town past the Silver Spur down 3rd St. The sidewalk will turn you north or south at Henson St. Go North. The sidewalk travels couple blocks and then turns you to the gorgeous bridge that crosses the river at 5th st. You are now on the nature trail and you can follow it until it pops you out into Ball Flats (named thus because there was a baseball field there… I think there is even a plaque there somewhere explaining).

This trail travels one block through a neighborhood that most people never know is in Lake City. You could wander this neighborhood for a second or just follow the sidewalk back across 8 1/2 st. This is a good moment to grab some groceries or bakery goods if you need them. You unfortunately have to walk on the highway for a block. So you may as well get an errand in.

Head west to the visitor center. Pick up all the pamphlets and ask all the questions. Usually, we head west from here and get on Silver street or an alley to walk home. However, if this is your only walk around town, go north to Petes Lake. It is a great marshy preserve. The reason we do not usually go that way is because it can be a multi-hour detour. My kids like to enjoy all the creatures.

Now you head back down south on Silver or Bluff and enjoy all the lovely historic homes. This quick loop gives you a feel for the town and takes very little time. Again, it seems silly but unless someone tells you to do it you might not see any of this. If you just drive through town, you will miss this walkable aspect.

Things to do in Lake City, CO #8: North Loop Around Lake City

500, North Henson Street, Lake City, Hinsdale County, Colorado, 81235, United States

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July 9, 2025July 9, 2025In Town, Kid Friendly, Scenic Views, Walk

Things to do in Lake City, CO #7: S’mores at Memorial Park

This may feel obvious to some people but one of the greatest things to do when you are outside in the evening is to huddle around a warm fire and share conversation and hopefully s’mores. It is easy to forget how much of human history did not have artificial light. If you were up at night it was either moonlight (which is also incredible) or fire. Fire is probably what created civilization (along with beer).

There are many safe places to have a fire around Lake City when the fire restrictions allow. Please make sure you are careful to follow essential campfire safety and put it all the way out when you are done. Forest fires are an important part of nature but please do not start one.

Before I close on this topic, I would like to discuss the perfect mallow. When you are roasting a marshmallow, you are welcome to cook it however you would like. But I hope you will understand that there is a right way. First, you need a reasonable length stick that is preferably thin, straight, and fresh. Do not go destroying trees but borrow from a weedy bush or an inconvenient branch. Then, with the mallow on the end of the stick you slowly rotate. Preferably to the side of the flame. You want all heat and little flame. As you rotate the mallow will expand. It should expand significantly before it starts to brown. It should brown significantly before you are done but never burn. The perfect mallow is not an object but a point in time. The mallow is perfect at the first moment that you rotate the stick and the mallow stays perfectly still. The stick is now spinning free inside the wonderfully gooey interior. You may now eat it straight or in the sandwich style of your liking. You may want to try it between cookies or with peanut butter cups or in a tortilla or maybe ritz crackers or perhaps dark chocolate or with honey or cinnamon or peppermint bark… Go nuts but respect the mallow and the wonderful community it is created in.

Things to do in Lake City, CO #7: S’mores at Memorial Park

East Spring Street, Hinsdale County, Colorado, 81235, United States

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June 29, 2025June 29, 2025Historic, In Town, Kid Friendly, Scenic Views, Walk

Things to do in Lake City, CO #4: Historic District Ghost Tour

Every great historic town has a ghost tour and Lake City has one of the best. As you can imagine, an old mining town full of fortune and failure is full of spooking and wild stories. If you are around Lake Ctiy on a Friday in summer you should take the time to join the Ghost Tour as it travels around the Historic district.

While there are some spooky stories involved, there is something for everyone. There are historic facts and historic gossips. There are stories of the lawmen and lovers who have been gunned down in town. There are poisonings, lost children, old time justice, and tales of bad luck.

Lake City has a gorgeous downtown and it is always worth just wandering around and thinking about what it must have been like as a boomtown. If you would like some extra material for the campfire ghost stories, this is a good place to pick a few up.

We may or may not have had a few close encounters with the paranormal here at Bushwhack Lodge… Most of the old buildings have one story or another. Our basement dates back to the 1800s. If you miss the ghost tour, you can always get a good tale from one of the locals.

Ghost tours start right before dark on Fridays at the Hinsdale County Museum. This is one of the many tours offered by the museum and you should check the calendar to know what all is going on. As with anything at dusk in Lake City Colorado, you should bring a fleece and maybe a rain coat. We got a good splash of rain on this latest tour but stuck it out because it is fun even when the weather turns. Also, it is so dry here that I like to remind people that if they walk through a storm they will be dry by the time they walk in the front door. (That said, hypothermia is no joke if you are out in the woods.) There is a nominal fee that goes to the museum but it is well worth it.

If you are on the tour, pay close attention to the stories across the street from Bushwhack. I have heard a variety of first hand encounters from big strong men who are not willing to go alone into that building at night anymore.

Things to do in Lake City, CO #4: Historic District Ghost Tour

118, Silver Street, Lake City, Hinsdale County, Colorado, 81235, United States

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Divining rods on ghost tour Lake City CO

June 4, 2025June 27, 2025In Town, Kid Friendly, Scenic Views

Things to do in Lake City, CO #3: BINGO in Pitkin Guard Armory Hall

If you find yourself in Lake City, Colorado, on a Wednesday night looking for good, wholesome fun, head down to the Pitkin Guard Armory Hall for an evening of community bingo.

Built in 1883, the Armory is a charming brick building originally constructed as the Pitkin Guard Armory and Lake City Opera House. Over the years, it has transformed from a bustling military and cultural hub into today’s beloved community center. It currently houses city offices, a gymnasium, and regularly hosts community events, making it a cornerstone of local life. It is one of the many places in Lake City listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The building was originally opened with a Thanksgiving Eve Ball which was “the most brilliant assemblage that ever gathered in this city.” It also hosted an annual Washington’s Birthday Masquerade. I will be bold enough to say the brilliance has only gotten brighter since those early days.

On Wednesday evenings, the historic hall comes alive as locals, tourists, families, and the occasional visitor from afar gather to test their luck and mingle. Bingo nights feature ten spirited rounds, each with its unique twist on the classic game. One minute you’re playing standard straight-line bingo; the next, you’re chasing corners or working toward an elusive blackout.

The atmosphere is cheerful and engaging, filled with laughter, friendly banter, and the occasional groan from a near miss. Winners’ triumphant shouts fill the room, and excitement builds as each number is called. My kids love marking their bingo cards, eager to see who wins next. Prizes range from cash collected from the night’s buy-ins to goodies generously donated by local businesses—snacks, T-shirts, gift cards, or tickets to local events.

These bingo nights are more than just fun—they serve a valuable purpose. All profits benefit the Lake City Visitor Center, helping fund resources that enhance visitors’ experiences and maintaining the community’s welcoming spirit. Snacks are also available for purchase, adding to the cozy, community-driven atmosphere.

Join us next Wednesday for a memorable night steeped in American spirit and local history. Be sure to check the rec schedule for all the many events.

Things to do in Lake City, CO #3: BINGO in Pitkin Guard Armory Hall

Lake City Armory, 230, 3rd Street, Lake City, Hinsdale County, Colorado, 81235, United States

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June 3, 2025June 27, 2025In Town, Kid Friendly, Scenic Views

Things to do in Lake City, CO #2: Barefoot Frisbee in Lake City Town Park

Nestled in the center of Lake City, Colorado, our Town Park feels like the old-fashioned heart of the community. On any given summer day, you’ll find kids running barefoot in the grass, travelers chatting under the trees, and a frisbee soaring from one end to the other. My kids pass most of their summer days at this park, making memories that echo the simple, joyful spirit of small-town Americana.

A Hub of Community Life and Events

Lake City Town Park is more than a patch of green – it’s a gathering place. Throughout the year, it hosts many of the town’s beloved events and celebrations. The Fourth of July Celebration is a quintessential small-town Independence Day with races, picnics, and fireworks. The Uncorked Wine & Music Festival is an end-of-summer weekend of live music and flowing wine that draws a cheerful crowd.

It’s also the start and finish line for some legendary mountain races. Each year, ultra-runners gather at dawn in Town Park for the San Juan Solstice 50-mile run, a rugged race through the San Juan Mountains that begins right here in town. Whether it’s a marathon finish, an outdoor concert, or just a lazy day, if something is happening in Lake City, chances are it’s happening at Town Park.

Green Grass, Playgrounds, and Playful Days

When there isn’t a big event, the park is still buzzing with everyday fun. There’s a great playscape that is currently getting an upgrade. A gaga ball pit full of friendly competition. The grassy field is perfect for tossing a football or playing barefoot frisbee on a sunny afternoon.

From Boomtown to Town Park: A Bit of History

Lake City’s roots run back to the wild mining boom of the 1870s, and the Town Park’s ground has its own tale to tell. In those early days, this corner of Third and Silver Street was packed with buildings – bustling shops and boarding houses catering to prospectors. But frontier towns were notorious for fires. In 1879, a major blaze swept through Lake City’s mostly wooden downtown, destroying much of the town. Over time, many lots left vacant by those fires found new purpose. The land that is now our Town Park is one such spot – once lined with boomtown businesses, later left empty by flames, and eventually transformed into a community park. Today, it’s hard to imagine that Town Park was born from the ashes of Lake City’s rowdy mining-era past.

A Warm Welcome and Practical Tips

On the practical side, you’ll find the public restrooms here clean and convenient – a much-appreciated amenity for families on a day out. There is water if you need to fill a bottle, and plenty of free parking around the park’s edges. One thing to note: in order to keep the grass nice and the space kid-friendly, no dogs are allowed in Town Park. So, plan accordingly for your furry friends.

Whether you’re in town for a festival, cheering on racers, or just passing through on a lazy afternoon, make sure to stop by Lake City Town Park. It’s a place where past and present come together – where you might hear a live fiddle tune one week and children’s laughter the next. From our family to yours, welcome to the heart of Lake City! We hope you’ll love this little park as much as we do.