Castlewood Canyon State Park

Escape the summer heat with a cooling hike along Cherry Creek in Castlewood Canyon State Park. Roll up your pant legs and go wading in one of the shallow creeks pools or just dip your toes as you sunbathe on a rock. Cherry Creek rises from the plateau of north El Paso county and meanders toward Denver. Castlewood Canyon, on the edge of the Black Forest, is a beautiful example of the erosive power of its waters.

Hiking trails for all ages and skill levels are available at Castlewood Canyon including a paved trail on the rim of the canyon and more difficult hikes down to Cherry Creek and along the canyon floor. Trail lengths are between 1 and 4 miles and can be easily combined for a longer hike. Pets are welcome on most trails as long as they are on a leash. Technical rock climbers are challenged by 40 to 60 foot walls and the Canyon's face.

After your hike or climb, relax at various picnic sites and enjoy watching a variety of Colorado birds and wildlife. Castlewood Canyon is home to one of Colorado's largest populations of turkey vultures as well as bluebirds and canyon wrens. Mule deer, coyote, cottontail rabbit, porcupine, ground squirrel and red fox are commonly seen. Black bear, mountain lion and elk are not residents but occasionally migrate through the area.

The state park contains the ruins of the Castlewood Dam constructed in 1890 to facilitate agricultural development in Douglas County. The dam's integrity was questioned from the start but it held back Cherry Creek until a heavy rainfall in 1933. On an August night the Dam burst, sending a 15 foot wall of water north toward Denver. Remains of the Lucas ranching homestead can also be explored as part of one of the Canyon's hikes.

Castlewood Canyon is located five miles south of Franktown, CO, about half-way between Denver and Colorado Springs off Highway 83. A west entrance to the Canyon is accessed off Highway 86 between Franktown and Castle Rock. Castlewood Canyon is open 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily, year-round. For more information go to http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/CastlewoodCanyon/.