Castlewood Canyon State Park - Franktown

Located on the western edge of the Plains, east of Castle Rock, Castlewood Canyon is a favorite among rock climbers and sightseers. It’s situated among a diverse ecosystem of grasslands, caprock, shrublands, confier forests and riparian areas.

Each environment produces an amazing variety of species. Cherry Creek runs through the park, continuing to sculpt away at Castlewood Canyon. It passes underneath the historic Cherry Creek Bridge.

Visitors to the park can also see evidence of the Castlewood Canyon Dam which burst in 1933, flooding downtown Denver.

There are two entrances to the park, east and west. The main entrance is the east which takes you to the visitor center. The west entrance is more common for rock climbing and does not connect via road to the east.

Activities

Biking: Not allowed on trails.

Camping: No, day-use only.

Hiking: 13 miles of trails, from paved walks to more difficult paths down to Cherry Creek, along the canyon floor. Pets are allowed on many of the trails, check for signs. Rattlesnakes are fairly common during summer season, so keep dogs on a short leash and your eyes peeled.

Horseback Riding: There is only 1 mile of trail for horseback riding. They are working on a trail connecting Cherry Creek State Park with Castlewood Canyon.

Picnicking: Individual and group sites available. 30+ picnic sites are first-come, first-serve throughout the park. Call park to reserve group areas.

Rock Climbing: All skill levels of climbers will find something here on canyon face walls as high as 60 feet. Check with Visitor Center for seasonal closures. A detailed climbing guide is available for $15.

Wildlife: A diverse collection of species exist, from rattlesnakes and black bears, to mountain lions and golden eagles. Other animals include: cottontail rabbit, coyote, meadow jumping mouse, prairie falcon, red fox, virile crayfish, northern leopard frog and Woodhouse’s toad.

Visitor Center is open year round.