This English Tudor-style castle is located just north of the Garden of the Gods rock formations, allowing for stunning views. There are a range of activities visitors can partake in on either day or overnights visits.
History
The original Glen Eyrie was built in 1871 by the founder of Colorado Springs General William Jackson Palmer and his wife Queen Palmer who, at age 21, opened the first public school in Colorado Springs. Sitting on their 800 acre estate, the castle was the couple’s dream home. It was remodeled in 1881 with the addition of a tower and made to resemble a stone castle in 1903.
After Queen Palmer passed away in 1894 in England, General Palmer returned her remains to Colorado Springs. He and his daughters then decided to renovate their home into a castle in memory of Queen Palmer. Its primitive intercom system and chimney system that held smoke until the wind blew in the right direction to direct the smoke out of the valley were both rather advanced features at the time it was built.
The castle is vulnerable to flash floods as it sits at the base of Queen’s Canyon. After the 2012 Waldo Canyon fire stripped vegetation from the canyon, that risk only grew. To mitigate the flood risk, over a million dollars was spent on two debris nets and a wider and deeper reinforced creek bed allowing water to flow at 2,000 cubic feet per second through the grounds at Glen Eyrie.
Lodging and Events
The castle has 17 guest rooms, seven meeting rooms including the 2,200 square foot Castle Great Hall with a capacity of 240 people, two dining rooms and 24 fireplaces. The castle also has a bookstore and cafe on its property.
The castle rooms all are spacious and individually decorated. The decor is from the era and bring a wonderful ambiance to your vacation. Some rooms have clawfoot tubs, others with showers or a combo of both.
The public can rent the castle for events and private programs, including weddings, retreats and family conferences. Special tours can be booked for school groups. English and Victorian teas are held each week at the castle and a Christmas Madrigal Banquets begin after Thanksgiving. Overnight guests can enjoy any of the 16 hiking trails on the property.
Guided Tour
The guided Historical Tour lasts 90 minutes and includes a video about the history of the Navigators and Glen Palmer, a visit to the Carriage House and a tour of the castle’s first and second floors. Guides share stories of the Palmer family and the Glen Eyrie Estate, insight into the castle’s unique architecture, information about the surrounding landscape, and history of Colorado Springs.
Part of that tour does take you outdoors, so come prepared for Colorado’s ever-changing weather. Tours take place at 1pm daily, cost is reasonable and can be booked online.
Getting There
You can reach the castle by taking exit 146 off I-25 and then driving west to 30th Street. The entrance to the Navigators is just a half mile south of the intersection. Once you enter the complex, take the T-intersection left. There is clear signage leading the way to the Glen Eyrie Conference Center.
Check prices, availability or book Glen Eyrie Castle
Details
Address: 3820 N 30th St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904
Phone: 719-634-0808
Season: Year round
Website: gleneyrie.org
