If you’re like most people, the word “castle” makes you think of incredible buildings from other countries.
Did you know, though, that there are some castles right here in America?
In fact, there are some beautiful ones located in Colorado, and you might be surprised at the design and ingenuity behind them.
This quick guide shares 10 of Colorado’s best castles, how they came to be, and whether they are open to the public.
10 Most Beautiful Castles in Colorado
If you love architecture, have a little princess at home that loves tea time and dressing up, or just enjoy exploring amazing structures, the following 10 Colorado castles should be on your bucket list.
1. Falcon Castle
John Brisben Walker was a billionaire thanks to his business dealings in the automotive, publishing, and other industries.
In 1909, he chose to use some of his earnings to build a castle in what is now Mount Falcon Park, Denver.
Sadly, his wife passed away just a few years later.
Two years after her death, lightning struck and the house burned.
Walker walked away from the home, but there are still some pieces of it left for tourists to explore, like fireplaces and a wooden tower.
As the house is now part of the park, the ruins are maintained by the parks department.
2. Miramont Castle
Located in Manitou Springs, CO, is the very charming Victorian-style home known as Miramont Castle.
Miramont Castle was originally owned by Colonel John Chivington in 1867.
However, it was a man named William Frizzell and his sons who turned it into the beauty it is now starting in 1895.
It’s not operated by the Manitou Springs Historical Society and is the perfect place to experience Victorian life.
The home has 30 open rooms to view, including the Queen’s Parlour Tea Room, where visitors get to enjoy lunch and tea time.
While you’re there, be sure to take a stroll through the Castle Gardens.
3. Cherokee Ranch and Castle
Cherokee Ranch is a property that covers more than 3,000 acres in Denver.
From the late 1800s, it passed to several families, each of which built their own homes on the land.
In 1924, the Johnson family bought the property and commissioned Burnham Hoyt to construct a new home.
Hoyt built the structure with a mix of gorgeous English and Scottish architectural details and it was named Charlford Castle.
In 1954, Tweet Kimball purchased the land and renamed it Cherokee Ranch.
Today, it’s home to a wedding venue, guided tours, holiday tea parties, princess parties, youth programs, and more.
4. Redstone Castle
In 1882, a man named John Cleveland Osgood was sent to Colorado to find coal.
While living there, he decided to buy thousands of acres of land, partly to build a hunting lodge on it.
He was a wealthy man and was not shy about pouring finances into this lodge, which was named Cleveholm Manor and sometimes called the Osgood Castle.
Some of his powerful and wealthy friends, such as President Roosevelt and the Rockefellers, enjoyed the various suites and private cabins.
It now belongs to the Carvers, who turned it into Redstone Castle, which offers lodging, tours, wedding services, and more.
5. Dunafon Castle
Just outside of Denver in Bear Creek Canyon sits the beautiful Dunafon Castle which was inspired by Celtic architecture.
It was built by a man named Marcus Wright from concrete and granite in the early to mid-1900s.
Though it was inspired by 13th-century details, it was a very advanced home – one that had electricity thanks to a water wheel before electricity was available in that area.
The Dunafon Castle is now one of the most beautiful wedding venues in the country and is open for events from May to October each year.
6. Dillon Ice Castles
Before diving into the Dillon Ice Castles, it’s important to note that these are not permanent structures – but they are some incredible sites to see if you’ll be in Colorado at the right time.
Every winter, professional artists make interactive wonderlands from nature’s ice.
You can walk through tunnels, head down icy slides, enjoy LED lights, and much more.
If your daughter – or you – absolutely love watching Frozen, visiting the Dillon Ice Castles will be like stepping into the movie yourself.
It’s like a dream come true.
7. Bishop Castle
If you’ve ever thought that you can’t make something happen because you’re only one person, a trip to Rye, CO is in order.
There sits Bishop Castle – an incredible structure built by a man named Jim Bishop.
What was supposed to be nothing more than a one-room cottage turned into a 160-foot structure.
He built it all by himself, even after a teacher told him he would never amount to anything.
Visitors are welcome to visit Bishop Castle completely free of charge, as Jim Bishop is happy to share the message that sticking with your dream is important.
8. Glen Eyrie Castle
William Jackson Palmer – the founder of Colorado Springs – built a home for his family in Queens Canyon in 1871.
In 1901, he sold his railroad company and renovated the house.
These renovations meant turning a clapboard house into a 67-room stone castle, complete with parlors, fireplaces, a large dining room, a solarium, several guest suites, a sitting room, a book hall, billiard rooms, a bowling alley, and a tower.
More homes and lodges were built when other owners took over after Palmer’s death.
Though the bowling alley is gone, you can still enjoy overnight stays, tea time, tours, and various events.
9. The Brown Palace
When Henry Cordes Brown moved to Denver in 1860, he purchased several acres of land for his cows.
Eventually, he decided to use a triangular plot of it for a hotel to house all the people moving and traveling west.
At the time, The Brown Palace was built with 400 guest rooms, a Grand Salon, and a ballroom.
It was designed with cast iron, Mexican onyx, terracotta, and gorgeous carvings.
Many famous people – including everyone from President Eisenhower and the Beatles to Pearl Jam and Taylor Swift – have stayed there.
This triangular building is still gracing Denver with its presence today.
10. Richthofen Castle
After moving to Denver in 1870, Baron Walter von Richthofen – a Prussian entrepreneur – commissioned the construction of his home.
It was designed similarly to castles that the Baron had grown up in and around, which made it look similar to a medieval structure.
The home was actually made from hand-carved lava rock with a three-story tower, a beautiful garden, a greenhouse, stables, and even a moat.
The Richthofen Castle is now the private residence of the Jesperson family.
Though it’s not open for private tours, it’s still an incredible site from the road, and the family shares pictures online.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the most popular castle to visit in Colorado?
All of the castles listed here fall into the “popular” category, but it really depends on what you are looking for.
The Redstone Castle and Glen Eyrie Castle are two of the most popular for their beauty.
The Brisben Castle is popular for its darker history and the “eerie” feelings that many visitors get.
If you’re looking for something that is incredibly unique, though, Cano’s Castle – which isn’t listed above – might be the destination for you.
It was built by a Native American man out of scrap metal – what many call junk.
It’s not exactly what one might call “beautiful,” but it is most certainly intriguing.
Where’s the best place to stay in Colorado to visit all of these castles?
Many of the castles on this list are located near Interstate 25, so anywhere along that roadway is a good idea.
Denver is located very close to several castles, so staying there would be pretty convenient.
Redstone Castle, though, is closer to Aspen, which is a bit of a distance away.
If you want to visit them all, you might want to split your trip between Denver and Aspen – or choose to stay at the Redstone Castle after leaving Denver.
Is Dunafon Castle only available for weddings?
When you visit the Dunafon Castle website, you see the advertisements to use it as a wedding venue for nine hours on your special day.
Unfortunately, this can be confusing, as it seems that the only thing you can do there is get married.
However, the location is open to other private events, charity events, and much more.
You can also reserve a tour to enjoy the history and all the beauty Dunafon Castle has to offer.
When is the best time to visit these castles?
In truth, they all look beautiful all year, so the choice is up to you.
However, you should take into account that some of these – such as Bishop Castle – are at much higher elevations.
In short, such castles might be too difficult to get to during the winter since it snows a pretty good amount in the mountains.
Most people suggest visiting sometime between the middle of spring and the middle of fall.
How many castles are there altogether in Colorado?
There are at least 20 castles across Colorado documented.
There may be some hidden in the mountains that have yet to be discovered.
Unfortunately, six of them haven’t exactly been maintained, so they do not tend to rank as highly as others.
And only 14 of the 20 known castles are open for public viewing, events, or lodging.
