Who knew that Colorado had so many castles? A day trip touring the mix of enchanting Colorado Castles is a chance to experience the royalty and grandeur of the late 1800s.
There are castles of varying architecture and age, from those that were recently built within the last one hundred years, to those that are far older.
There are many other historic manmade landmarks located around the state. So keep your eyes peeled next time you’re road-tripping. These castles are situated throughout Colorado, with many up and down the Front Range. Others lie in the heart of the Rocky Mountains.
Some are open to the public to visit, while others are private residences that do not permit visitors.
Here are the best castles in Colorado, in no particular order:
Cano’s Castle — Antonito
One cool private castle that can only be enjoyed from the roadside is Cano’s Castle. It’s located in Antonito, which is a historic train town in southern Colorado. The castle is private property, so please stay on the roadside.
This unique landmark lies in an unassuming residential neighborhood. It spans four distinct towers and hovers 40 feet over the neighborhood street. Many beer cans, as well as a myriad of other metal materials, make up the shiny walls.
The castle was started by Cano, a native American Vietnam veteran, more than 35 years ago.
State St & E 10th Ave, Antonito
Cliff Palace — Mesa Verde
The oldest castles lie in the southwest part of the state. Built by the Ancient Puebloan people, these architectural areas are year-round places to visit. They contain ruins of old mesa-top villages and cliff dwellings.
The most famous of all the Ancient Pueblo dwellings in Southwest Colorado is Cliff Palace. It’s located in Mesa Verde National Park and open year-round for guided tours. See the historic kivas and living areas around Cliff Palace and other ruins.
More than 4000 ruins exist in the park, and there are a variety of guided and self-guided tours to choose from. Be sure to take the Auto Tour around the mesa top and maybe snag a campsite at Moorefield Campground, open mid-April to mid-October.
Mesa Top Ruins Road, Mesa Verde (near Cortez) | 970-529-4465 | nps.gov/meve/index.htm
Miramont Castle — Manitou Springs
Love architectural variety? Then visit the 14,000 sq. ft. Miramont Castle located in Manitou Springs. Built by Father Jean Baptiste Francolon in 1895, the house is an eclectic estate that’s a mixture of nine architectural styles, including Byzantine, Tudor, Gothic, Medieval, and Victorian.
Rarely does one of the 40 rooms have four square corners, with many having eight-sided and 16-sided rooms. It’s said that Father Francolon was concerned with the unrest in France at the time, and his castle bears many hidden tunnels, escape routes, and secret compartments.
Daily tours of the castle are given, and visitors can view 30 rooms decked out in authentic Victorian furnishings. Hot tea is served in the Queen’s Parlour Tearoom, and Victorian and modern-day fare is served daily. Two chairlifts were installed in the late 70s making most areas accessible for anyone with mobility impairment.
9 Capitol Hill Ave, Manitou Springs | 719-685-1011 | miramontcastle.org
Palmer Castle (Glen Eyrie Castle) — Colorado Springs
If you love a love story, visit the Palmer Castle, aka Glen Eyrie Castle, in Colorado Springs. General Wm. Jackson Palmer of Colorado Springs built this dream home with 24 fireplaces for his wife in 1872. Say what? 24 fireplaces!
Today, the 800-acre property includes a retreat and conference center, as well as lodging in one of its 2 beautifully furnished guest rooms. Day visitors can also reserve tea or tours online.
The Glen Eyrie Castle has 95 guest rooms for rent, located across 7 buildings.
3820 N 30th St, Colorado Springs | 719-634-0808 | gleneyrie.org
Bishop Castle — Rye (near Pueblo)
One man alone built Bishop Castle. One man! Jim Bishop was 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.
Sadly, Jim Bishop passed away on November 21st, 2024, at the age of 80.
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, which is southwest of Pueblo, is always open and free of charge, but best to check their website before visiting.
12705 CO-165, Rye | 719-564-4366 | bishopcastle.org
Dunafon Castle — Ideldale (near Morrison)
Dunafon Castle was built in 1941 in a dramatically gorgeous setting near Ideldale. Once owned by royalty, today Dunafon Castle hosts charity benefits, corporate gatherings, and private events.
Its 140 acres include several walkways for mobility-impaired visitors to navigate the grounds, courtyards, and waterways. It’s built on a peninsula with breathtaking views of the crystal-clear waters of Bear Creek.
24020 CO-74, Idledale | 303-918-0623 | dunafon-castle.com
Redstone Castle — near Carbondale
Redstone Castle was completed in 1902 by industrialist and coal magnate John Cleveland Osgood. This magnificent castle boasts 24 bedrooms and 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 $2m and is currently a private residence. Public tours are offered. Advanced tour tickets are required and can be purchased online.
58 Redstone Blvd #1, Redstone | 970-963-9656 | theredstonecastle.com
Richthofen Castle — Denver
Now privately owned at 7020 E. 12th Ave. Denver and no tours of Richthofen Castle are available. It was completed in 1887 for Baron Walter von Richthofen, a Prussian immigrant and Colorado mining entrepreneur.
The Baron was also the uncle of the notorious WWI German fighter pilot, The Red Baron. Richthofen Castle is located in east Denver’s historic Montclair neighborhood and is modeled after the Baron’s ancestral home.
This impressive Colorado castle contains 35 rooms in a massive 15,000 sq. ft. mansion with towering spires, gargoyles carved in stone, a grand Porte-cochère, and a looming stone tower. One step inside reveals luxurious amenities: Hand-carved woodwork, leaded glass, and even hand-tooled leather wallpaper.
In 1911, Richthofen hosted a sensational murder when Gertrude Patterson shot her husband Charles Patterson in the back of the head. Rumor was that she claimed self-defense as a result of his beating her.
Denver | richthofencastle@gmail.com | richthofencastle.com
Be in the know when touring Colorado Castles by bringing along the tour book Castles of Colorado: Scandals, Hauntings, and Tales of the Past
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