You don’t have to travel out of the country to view magnificent, captivating castles. There are plenty right here in Colorado. Each castle is unique and magical in its own way. Treat yourself to a day-visit or an overnight stay — you’ll feel like royalty for the day. We explore 8 castles that are open to the public with tours and accommodations. MOST REQUIRE RESERVATIONS.
150 E Main St, Trinidad, CO 81082
Experience life as it was during Victorian times, from the Castle itself where you can tour 33 rooms with authentic Victorian furnishings. Visit the Queen’s Parlor Tea Room where you can feast on Victorian and modern-day fare.
Miramont Castle, a National Historic Landmark. Built in 1895, the Castle is a 14,400 sq. ft. treasure. The Castle features nine styles of architecture ranging from English Tudor to Byzantine, all crafted from locally quarried greenstone. Their mission is to preserve and restore the architectural integrity of Miramont Castle; and provide educational experiences & resources on the history of it indigenous people and artifacts. Apache, Ute, and Anasazi tribes held the area to be sacred and drank from the springs’ water. Later, European settlers marveled at the natural setting, traveling to Manitou for the health benefits of the springs and dry air.
Open year round for Tours and Tea: various packages served Tues – Sun. Make a reservation. Phone: 719-685-1011 • 9 Capitol Hill Avenue, Manitou Springs, CO 80829 • http://www.miramontcastle.org
One man built Bishop Castle over a span of 50 years! One very eccentric man with a big vision built the castle by hand! Jim Bishop is a testament to the adage: If you build it, they will come. As a 15-year old kid who loved the mountains he began building a small cabin from rocks and soon he was unstoppable.
This place is no amusement park — this place is wild, a little treacherous, visually overwhelming, a must-see if you like odd things! The handsome monstrosity was built with no building codes and is far more elaborate than one could imagine. But who doesn’t enjoy a little adrenaline rush.The upper reaches are not for anyone with even the slightest fear of heights. Steep narrow staircases lead up to the castle. Wear walking shoes and be prepared for the unexpected.
Today, the towering castle boasts a grand ballroom, soaring towers, bridges with 100-mile vistas and even a fire-breathing dragon. The castle in Rye is always open and free of charge (but donations gladly accepted). But best to check their website before visiting. Phone: (719) 564-4366 • Located at 12705 CO -165, Rye, CO 81069 • https://www.bishopcastle.org
Tucked away in the mountains just west of Morrison, this gorgeous castle is truly a breathtaking hidden gem. Located 15 miles west of Denver, Dunafon Castle was built in 1941 in a dramatically gorgeous setting near Idledale. Once owned by royalty its 140 acres include several walkways for mobility-impaired visitors to navigate the grounds with its courtyards and waterways.
This castle was built on a peninsula which provides spectacular views of the crystal clear waters of Bear Creek. The 17 acre property is home to three large trout ponds and gorgeous garden grounds. Phone: (303) 918-0623 • 24020 CO-74, Idledale, CO 80453 (the address is correct but when using Google navigation everyone misses the turnoff for the driveway).
Redstone Castle was completed in 1902 for industrialist and coal magnate John Cleveland Osgood. This magnificent castle boasts 24 bedrooms, 16 baths and is perched on sandstone cliffs near the Crystal River Valley by Carbondale.
Its list of distinguished guests included President Roosevelt and JP Morgan. It recently sold for $2 MIllion and is currently a private residence. Public tours are offered. Advanced tour tickets are required, and can be purchased online. (Closes over winter) Phone: (970) 963-9656 • 58 Redstone Blvd # 1, Redstone Historic District, CO 81623 • https://theredstonecastle.com
6. Cano’s Castle, Antonito, CO
Gleaming self-built castle towers made from beer cans. Cano’s Castle is a set of four gleaming towers, built single-handedly by Donald “Cano” Espinoza, a Native American Vietnam vet. It is a wonder to behold. Cano says his main influences for the Castle are “Vitamin Mary Jane” and Jesus.
Built largely out of beer cans and other metal refuse, for Espinoza the castle serves as a thanks for having his life spared during the Vietnam war. Cano’s castle is actually four separate structures. “The king”, “the queen”, “the palace” and “the rook”. The four story “king” house, covered in gleaming beer cans and hubcaps, is his crowning architectural achievement. Admission is FREE. No phone listed • State Street & E 10th Avenue, 285 E 10th Avenue, Antonito, CO 81120 • https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/11786
Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun, also known as Will Rogers Shrine, is a commemorative tower and chapel on Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It is named after Will Rogers, the American humorist, who died in a plane crash in Alaska in 1935 during construction of the shrine.
Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun is located on the side of Cheyenne Mountain at nearly 8,000 feet above sea level. Just above the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, it provides an impressive panoramic view of Colorado Springs and the surrounding area. Local architect Charles E. Thomas designed the monument. Completed in 1937, the Shrine stands 114 ft high and was fashioned from Cheyenne Mountain granite quarried 700 ft away from the building site. It was constructed entirely without nails or wood, and is instead bound together by 200,000 pounds of steel and 30 wagon-loads of cement.
The Shrine is a two-part tribute. The first is to actor, philosopher and humorist Will Rogers after his untimely death in a plane crash in 1935. The second is in appreciation for the sun, captured each morning and evening as it illuminates the tower’s stark angles.
The Shrine houses several notable cultural attractions, including a 340-square-foot mural by renowned Santa Fe artist Randall Davey. The mural depicts the history of the Pikes Peak region and was commissioned by Spencer and Julie Penrose in honor of their love for the local area and its rich history. Additionally, photographs of Will Roger’s life are displayed in the stairways and enclaves.
The tombs of Julie and Spencer Penrose can be found in the Shrine’s chapel, accessible through a separate entrance in the lower level of the Shrine. In the 1940s, Julie Penrose decorated the chapel with 15th and 16th century religious relics.
Perhaps the Shrine’s most iconic feature is its sophisticated instrument – a musical clock. It chimes every quarter hour and on the hour and plays a musical program every day at 10 am, 12 pm and 5 pm. This music, which has played since 1937, can be heard throughout the neighborhood. Phone: (719) 578-5367 • 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 • https://www.elpomar.org/About-Us/museum-and-legacy-properties/will-rogers-shrine-of-the-sun/
8. Cherokee Ranch Castle – Sedalia, CO
Cherokee Ranch Castle is a rare example of a 15th-century castle. Standing tall, built of locally-sourced rhyolite and petrified wood, the Castle houses a collection of world-class art, antiques, and rare books, serving as a public host for an array of cultural, scientific and civic events, while the expansive property of Cherokee Ranch sustains habitats for native wildlife, flora and fauna, embodying the heritage of the West.
You’ll be treated like royalty when you attend “Tea at the Castle”. Tea includes a light meal with a seasonal menu, complete with scones with clotted cream and jam, finger sandwiches, and pastries. It’s the perfect event for clubs, organizations, showers or for a special outing with family and friends. Tea is followed by a one-hour Castle Tour.
• Other events include Wine Tastings, Mother’s Day Brunch, guided hikes, Princess parties, and more.
• Public Castle Tours are 90-minutes long. Reservations are required and non-refundable.
Guest access by Reservation or Appointment only. Phone: 303-688-5555 • 6113 N. Daniels Park Road, Sedalia, CO 80135 • https://cherokeeranch.org
======
Do you have an interesting idea for an article for Jim Crowder’s Newsletter? The topic should be about some aspect of Colorado life: it’s history, people, places to visit, restaurants, parks, museums, etc. Jim loves “Top Ten” lists! Send on email to Jim at jim@crowder.com and let him know. We’ll even give you credit for suggesting the topic if we use it.