In the traditional sense. But definitely historic as in something that you should see. It's about an hour south of denver. And well worth the drive. If you go in Winter make sure you have snow tires or chains. Be smart about this. This is colorado. Was much more advanced and creative than I had been told. I would go back again to see what kind of advancement has been made. Appears to be pretty much structurally sound. Although if you weigh over 130 lb I would be cautious in going on the scaffolding. What's that being said the majority of the structure is very stable and very secure. While you were there, please be respectful. Respectful of others. Respectful of the property and respectful of the effort that has gone into this work of art. This is one man's dream that has come to fruition. There is a donation box. It is advisable I would leave a donation. I left $20 which I thought was more than worth it to see this marvel. read more

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One of the more attractive & fun hiking spots in southern Colorado! Bishop Castle is an interesting scenic spot in the woods. I would return to this place. read more

Interesting history behind this castle of southern Colorado. I've never stepped foot inside, but maybe one day. Five stars for the creator's commitment and its wowing effect on the eyes, even if only driving by. read more

This was random. Making my way towards Colorado Springs, I stumbled upon this castle, Bishop Castle, on Google Maps and the photos had me doing a double take. I was intrigued by the gothic looking appearance and decided to make a visit to this historical landmark. Bishop Castle is located in the San Isabel National Forest in Southern Colorado. The castle sits off the side of Highway 165. If you're coming from Colorado City, it's only 22 miles away. And along the Highway 165 drive, it's basically uphill and into the mountains, which was scenic. Interestingly, I had no cell phone reception the entire drive, yet once at the castle...I had perfect cell reception! Bishop Castle is FREE! That is great and for a free attraction, it is worth it to make the effort to stop by and explore the grounds. There's plenty of parking right along Highway 165. The castle is open daily from 9am - 6pm. I researched that Jim Bishop built the castle starting in 1969. Although there isn't much history about him when visiting, you can find Jim Bishop's story at bishopcastle.org. Standing beside the castle, it's open to interpretation. I got total medieval times vibe about it, like being transported into a Lord of the Rings film or a scene out of Dungeons and Dragons. Thinking to myself again, it's like a fantasy come to reality. Bishop Castle is go at your own accord. The castle is entirely yours, the visitor. There's no tour guides or hosts. And the castle is free to roam around. Walk where you may, climb however you'd like, it's hands on and playful. Children may have visions of entering fantasy worlds. Well, Bishop Castle will fulfill those aspirations. For a kid, it's basically a dream come true. You'll notice at the top of the castle, there's the face of a fire breathing dragon guarding over it. You would think the architect, Jim Bishop, is a kid at heart the way he created this monument. You can take a staircase right up the side of the castle into the heart of it all. The Grand Ballroom is the centerpiece. Inside it, there's a wooden floor and stained glass windows as if entering a church or worship gathering. This Grand Ballroom allows access to two staircases leading to the summit of two towers. I climbed the staircase to the shorter tower. Being so high up was scary because the staircase can sway when too many people stand on it. I just thought happy feelings when looking straight down, lol. I chickened out on climbing the tallest tower because the staircase is open aired and if you're afraid of heights, it can be a difficult challenge, lol. The back of Bishop Castle has goats and sheep roaming around. There's an old fashioned .25 cent vending machine for feeding them. I'd suggest coming prepared with quarters. You twist the handle (which brought back childhood memories, lol) but unfortunately it doesn't dispense many pellets. The goats immediately recognize what you're doing at the vending machine and happily approach you. There's a tiny gift shop on the grounds to grab a souvenir. If you'd like to make a donation to help with the upkeep of the castle, there's a sign letting you know how to do that. Being at Bishop Castle was a nice getaway from the summer heat. Coming here to the mountains was a total relief from the extreme weather. It wasn't so busy for a Saturday in the middle of June. There was enough space inside and around the castle for everyone to enjoy their visit. I stayed for 3 hours which was enough time to check out every nook and cranny. In the end, Bishop Castle was a pleasant surprise. Getting a chance to try something different like exploring around a castle was a fun experience. read more

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IDK how my BF found this place... you definitely have to know about it to get to it. Up the mountain, not a lot of signs guiding you to it but once you get there it is so worth it. Someone just decided to build this castle for people to go in it, and defy their fear of heights. LOL I did not pass and did not make it to the top floors, and enjoyed seeing the brave ones do it and the ones trying to be and coming down literally shaking. The construction is sketchy and impressive, the glass windows are beautiful, and it's story fun and interesting. Also, the sign at the entrance, very funny. We spent a good amount of time exploring the grounds (found a mini petting zoo), the inside (found the note he wrote to his wife for marriage), and admiring the work of art this was. If you have time for a detour, plan to come here and enjoy it. read more

Such an amazing find! Beautiful location about 2-3 hours from Denver. Pretty much follow the GPS because there's no road signs to help you find the place. This castle is made by one man and only runs with donations since is free. There's a big story behind the creation of this castle and it's super interesting. Feel free to explore the high floors (I wouldn't dare) this castle it's not regulated at all by the government and some steps seemed questionable lol so I didn't risk it. *** beware of the goats they will steal your snacks and food read more

It's time to be condemned, before someone dies. At first it was tempting to simply follow the crowd, and climb way up the staircases or walk around out on the walkways, without a care in the world. But then we started truly looking at things. And once you start examining the place from a structural-integrity perspective, it becomes truly terrifying. The concrete steps you just came down, or the metal bridge you just went across, will show that several steps are no longer securely attached, and that the metal is so rotten that feet are pushing through. I'm sure it used to be great a few decades ago, but now it's like a tottery old man that you know is destined to break a hip at any moment. Except the castle is the falling-apart old man, and the broken hip will be one or more people falling to their deaths or becoming permanently disabled. Sorry Mr. Bishop, but it's time to close up shop. Cherish all the good times and reminisce about how fun it was to build; you truly are a genius with just a touch of insanity. Don't let catastrophe be your legacy. Metal rusts and fails, concrete deteriorates and crumbles. People should no longer be inside and definitely not on top. It's time to say goodbye to treating the castle like a playhouse. Don't let your anger toward authority cloud your judgement. Let it go, before it's too late. read more

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Amazing free experience and services on an honor system. It is a truly outstanding ongoing castle and grounds being built, but read the history!!!! I can't imagine anyone would tour this and not make a donation. And on a road that doesn't seem to have heavy traffic there is always a number of vehicles parked on both sides of the road. Do NOT miss this place! read more

It was a 3 hour drive from Aurora past Pueblo to get to the castle. The directions were simple and we knew we were there by cars parked alongside the road. There were some cute goats at the castle entrance and I could hear chickens in the background. There were signs everywhere stating how the owner was not legally liable for any injuries, etc. and I could see why as the castle is still under construction and I had to watch my step since there were gaps in the floors. There were spiral stairs to go up or down. The dragon head was not working (fire shoots out). Admission is free (donations accepted) and there's a small gift shop where there's a hummingbird feeder hanging outside with many hummingbirds eating and flying around. There's a small self serve section to get ice cream that is on a honest pay system. It's amazing that the owner hand built the castle over years. And if you enjoy quirky things like me, the drive to visit is worth it. read more

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This was a cool place that was fun to explore. You take your own tour and climb around everything. There are a few main floors and a few towers to climb. Parking out front was easy and they do accept donations, but entry is free. I liked ascending the towers and the dragon head in the front. I did not like descending and some of the steel structures were a bit tense to be on with the wind and with how open they are. Take your time and pay attention and you will have a good time. read more

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I am speechless of this amazing structure... I can't believe one man built this place... A definite must see!!! read more

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One of the most man/made creations. Situated on a hill, this castle built of rocks and steel, simply takes your breath away. Don't think twice before getting off I25 to go visit. The drive there is scenic and plenty of twisters for the motorcycle enthusiasts like myself. read more

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FREE - donations welcomed. A "historic" one man's castle project you must stop and see. If you stop you will NOT leave in less than an hour, you may even want to stay two! Built by a very anti government man over his lifetime. Well worth the stop! read more

We went here on a recommendation of the concierge at our hotel and oh wow, was this a win!!! The Good: This is truly a gem and work of art in progress! The owner's family has been building this for well over 40 years now by hand, stone by stone. It is amazing to see the detail, love, and hard labor that had gone into thisnl castle over the past decades. It was so cool to walk on all the different levels and even all the way to the very top, which was quite scary at almost 160 feet in the air. The Bad: The local and regional law enforcement agencies have been trying to shut the family down and halt construction, (luckily without prevail) The Ugly Truth: If you are within a coupke.hours drive from this most amazing and wonderful place, you HAVE TO make the little detour and stop by her for sure. Tour the castle, donate generously to the family, so they can continue their work! I have seen many things on my travels around the world, but this one made it to the top 3 of must-see places as soon as we arrived. So don't be shy, spend a little time and stop by to check out what this place is all about! read more

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Nestled in the San Isabel National Forest, this is a three story stone castle built entirely by one man. Beautiful drive through the mountains to get there. This is private property open to visitors at no charge. Fun place to explore. Enter at your own risk signs are prominently posted. read more

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Unbelievably amazing that this even exists and is open to the public and is free to see. A great stone, solidly built castle with many walkways, stairs and wrought iron structures. Climbing some of them is not for the faint of heart. Some are open to the air though mostly solid, some stairs have no handrails, some stairs are uneven and dark, and there are holes in the floor an adult sized foot could go in to. It all gives credibility that it was all handmade and definitely from a labor of love. We thank you Mr Bishop for the opportunity to visit your castle An addendum: make sure to leave a donation and grab a bite to eat. The Loaded Fritos were great! read more

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So, my husband was like "do you want to go to Bishop's Castle?!" I was like "what is that and where is that?!" I pulled it up online and the pictures looked interesting, to say the least. The pictures actually do not do it justice with the size of this place! The drive out to the castle is a beautiful, peaceful drive....and there were only about 5 other cars parked in front of the castle with about 10 other people in the castle. It was a perfect weather day, and a perfect amount of people there. We talked about how we can't imagine how crowded this place gets in the summer with tourists, and with the summer heat- it might get a bit too much for kids and older people. In addition, for those unsteady on their feet, needing walkers or wheelchairs- this place will present a challenge. You can still enjoy the exterior beauty of it, but it will be a bit treacherous to go up and down the stairs (no railings and narrow/curvy areas). I was fascinated with the different sections of the castle. It went from doomy/gloomy (the tower and moat), to beautiful bright and airy (the vaulted ceiling with stainglass windows, to a bit scary (the windy staircase up to the not so steady and secure upper decks). We can only imagine how beautiful sunset and sunrise are with the main room and stainglass. There are very fat chickens roaming around- they don't bother you, a snack bar (assuming this was closed for the season), and a small gift shop (a bunch of "head" and marijuana related stuff much to my chagrin). I laughed at all the signs posted about the government, right to bear arms, etc. Not haha laugh- just really enjoyed how outspoken Mr. Bishop was and how he wasn't going to be pushed around! Have to respect that greatly! There is a video you can watch about the history of the castle. The tour is self-paced. Fantastic experience and amazing that this 1 man built it all! Impressive! read more

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The place is place is quiet though we went there around 1pm and a little bit chilly. It is a weekday and less people are there. The place needs some help with donation so they can maintain the structure and cleanliness of the place. The view from the top is nice surrounded by the nature. Just be careful with the stairs some were narrowedand be careful some of it were worn out so watch tour steps.. read more

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This place was pretty sweet! We were recommended it by the woman working at our hotel in pueblo and would definitely pass it on. It is beautiful, hand crafted and very unique. Be careful as It is still being constructed and is very rickety but we loved it. Definitely a must see.. read more

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We were visiting Canon City, Colorado and had no clue that this treasure existed. The castle came recommended by a store clerk. We made the drive which was a little over an hour from Canon City near Rye Colorado. We met Jim Bishop's son that is continuing with his Dad's castle building. The place is definitely worth the drive, the family does keep it free to the public but there is a way to donate if you fill called. read more

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It was a really cool place to see. The road to the castle was also great scenery. The only downside is that this is completely private property built by a guy starting back in the 60s- I think the safety of it made me nervous. He also displays personal liability signs everywhere which added to my - "am I going to die?"sensation as we climbed on iron stairs and balcony's. Needless to say I didn't die- nothing ever felt loose, but there are places where railings are not there so you do need to be careful and mind your children. read more

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Loved the TV that played the story of the castle construction and Jim's vision. Fun to explore. It's refreshing to go somewhere that prioritizes freedom and is willing to stand up to the government. I see a lot of reviews claiming it's dangerous; don't listen, those people are just weenies. It's beautiful. I thought I would spend about an hour here, but it ended up being more like two. read more

Driven close to here before and never visited so we took a drive down. As you pull up you see some towers peeking through the trees and the dragon. Parking is along the road and there are porta potties but since it's a free attraction they look like they don't get emptied often. There are signs with disclaimers that you enter at your own risk because they are not responsible for your well being. There is a guest book to sign and a box for donations. Please consider donating to help with upkeep and to allow them to continue offering this free activity. We went inside the ground floor to explore and took the stairs up. There are various points of entry and exit with no exact path. It's a maze of rooms and stairways and walkways. Parts of the metal mesh for stairs and walkways have been repaired, others need repairing so watch where you step. I also recommend you follow weight maximums on part of the structure because it sways. We regulated ourselves with the other family who was visiting so we weren't all on at once. I have a fear of heights and in some spots it was scary for me. But I managed to go up to all except the highest tower and didn't walk on the rickety walkway between two towers - if you visit you'll know which one I mean. There is lovely stained glass in a room on one level which makes for pretty patterns and colors with the sun shining in them. And a more elaborate display on a high ceiling. Also a Betty Boop one which I loved. Found a family crest with a cool design as well. It appears you can donate towards a piece of glass pane yourself. You see little touches everywhere - a poem on a plaque about love, tributes to loved ones. Look at everything so you don't miss a detail. We meandered along and took our time - you sort of have to with the other visitors present and for safety's sake. There were kids running along but I wasn't confident enough to do that. I did prefer the stone steps to the metal mesh. We went down one set to the bottom which were made for tiny feet. There is also a wooden building nearby with some curiosities from the past. The gift shop is reopened and there is a food stand on premises but they weren't open at the time of our visit - we could see people inside getting ready. It was amazing to see what one man can accomplish with hard work and perseverance. And recycled materials. Not for the faint of heart or if you have trouble climbing. And take your trash with you if you visit! read more

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Talk about an insane place! Worth the drive to check it out if you're within a 2 hour radius or taking a road trip. Can't say I'd really like to go back but worth seeing once. It's absolutely an "enter at your own risk" type of place and clearly a work in progress. I am pretty much not cool at all with heights so I stayed on the 2nd level and glanced out at the far too brave people walking on the iron walkways around the exterior that were covered in patched holes and some more recent NOT patched holes that were pretty terrifying. I witnessed a child running (contain your children people!! Not a safe place for them to be crazy when in some areas there just a rope keeping you from walking off a ledge!) she got her shoelace caught on the floor and flew out the door onto the iron walkway. So many people watching that I think she was too embarrassed to notice the pain she was clearly in. Once she ran away I went to glance at what she got caught on and noticed there was recently dried blood all over the wood floor like some other kid got hurt. Again, enter at your own risk and know there are a freaking ton of risks!!! Tons of street parking. Porta potties onsite (couldn't pay me to use one but they're there nonetheless), and a huge trash can. I want to emphasize the HUGE because we were disgusted to see the amount of trash dropped from visitors (diapers, food containers, water/soda bottles). Be a good human and bring everything out that you brought in or use the huge trash can! read more

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What an incredible location! It was absolutely worth the drive. Please prepare for an entire day out to fully enjoy the evolving Bishop masterpiece! Take your time to explore. It is larger than expected; the grounds, the castle, the views, and the gift shop. Pack for the weather, wear comfortable shoes, pack snacks, or a full picnic. Bring wet naps for the porta-potties on site. Highly recommended, a must do if in the area, and you're into the outdoors, architecture, fairytales, and dragons! I hear you may run into Mr. Bishop himself at any given time. Don't overthink it. Take all that you see and hear with a grain of salt. Your visit is an experience. Like anything else in life, stay ready and have fun! read more

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Definitely Colorado's most unique and insane roadside attraction. The fruit of one very -- shall we say, Individual -- person's work, this massive structure is at once breathtaking, beautiful, crazy, and dangerous as all get out. Worth the detour. read more

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A very very rustic place to visit, which makes it feel more like a castle you would see in England Ireland or Scotland. Perpetually under construction. The most amazing part about the castle is that one man built the castle by him self and is building it still today. He started building it in the nineteen seventies. I think in the last five years or so he has not been in good health. And a friend or family member has been working on it. But he may be back working on it cense I was there four years ago. It is very impressive in just sheer height and size. Definitely worth going to see at least once! read more

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Bishop's Castle. It's cool. Like really cool. Yes, it's a far drive from Denver and there's not much to do in or around the area. However, it's pretty amazing to behold and browse this project that one man started and finished all on his own. Being in the middle of nowhere, oddly enough, every time I've been here it's actually quite busy. Parking is off the side of the road and there are a few spots in front, by the entrance. Stone, iron and beautiful stained glass are what make up this quirky, unique and unconventional castle. It's not something you see every day and if you know anything about castles, this is not what an average one looks like. However, it is nonetheless interesting to explore. Keep in mind that this project was built by one man, therefore, the castle isn't up to a lot of safety codes and can be a little dangerous in some areas. Jim Bishop, the man behind the construction, makes it clear with signs that he is not responsible for anyone who gets hurt or injured. Therefore, watch your little ones and pay attention when you're walking. Other than that, Bishop's Castle makes for a fun time. For those afraid of heights, it can be scary and challenging in certain areas as some sections don't have railings and some of the walkways are sketchy and have open construction. I wish I could climb to the top of the tower because I hear the view is amazing and you get to see the dragon head up close. Through perseverance and hard work, Jim Bishop has shown that dreams can become reality and with a lot of time and patience, dreams can come true. read more

It's amazing We had a blast visiting this stunning castle in the middle of nowhere! Strongly recommend visiting this beauty! read more

This place was really neat. If you have children be sure you keep them close. We will return again to see the progress the next time we are remotely close. My oldest son wanted to go wild in the place but I had to time him down a bit due to the ability for an accident. I must say some of the places you can climb and explore will make your stomach and mind race not knowing how safe they are. I really liked the stained glass and Christian theme throughout. I wish I had photos on my phone to share. Overall the place is super neat and I hope to get to see it complete so day. read more

This place has so much history and love built into it, you can feel it by just walking around. I will say as someone who is a tad bit scared of heights, I had a hard time not freaking out, but it made for a good giggle for those around. I went up the steep steps and my kids couldn't be more proud of their mom! Hahahahaha. Love this place! It's so beautiful around the castle, a quaint little tucked away oasis. If you live in Colorado, take a trip and come visit! read more

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So much fun. Take your family or at least take yourself. Very educational and inspirational. Plus, there are so many places to stop on the way up the mountain and back down. They do have potties, if needed. There is so much to see but doesn't take very long. Get your camera ready because you are going to want some pictures. read more

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A very focused man has spent his life building a castle. He has fought the government, society, and all normality to bring you an everlasting monument of his life's work. Atop a misty mountain, where it is cold all the time, shrouded in fog, is a castle similar to any medieval castle. It's seriously magnificent. And I'm a picky castle explorer. It's something of ancient Europe. Don't mess with Jim... I think that's his name... he is a unique cat. He works very hard, and probably never cares what anyone thinks. Yay, go Jim! He has laid every plan and stone. He will fork you up, so leave him alone. Let him follow his dream. read more

I don't know how to convey how impressive and at the same time scarily dangerous this castle is. DO NOT LET YOUR KIDS RUN AROUND FREELY! All over the place, you find stairs and ledges with no railings, etc. In saying this, I take nothing away from what would be impressive if built by a team, but is really astounding as an achievement by one (very much alive) man. It's worth a stop. Stay safe! read more

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A must see while in Colorado! It is a very impressive and walkable piece of art and the owner, Mr. Bishop is really a character. If you are scared of highs, stay away from the stairs. Wear comfortable and walking shoes, it take around one hour to walk the place. There is no entrance fee but they have a souvenir store and few donation boxes to support Bishop's castle maintenance and future constructions. The parking is off street, over mud mostly. This is really a man dream become a reality and the perfect place for amazing pictures. read more

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I traveled over two hours (about 2 hours and 10 minutes) to visit Bishop's Castle and it was well worth the trip! This was my first visit. I've wanted to visit here for quite sometime. The drive thru Florence, Wetmore, and thru part of the San Isabel National Forest is lovely. The weather was great too. Cloudy with some rain but not hot. Bishop's Castle sits right next to a major highway (Greenhorn Highway/SR 165). You will need to park on the shoulder of the highway. As you quickly approach, you will notice several vehicles parked on the shoulder. The castle itself is marvelous! Fair warning for those who have phobias, fear of heights, etc... enter at your own risk. There are signs posted at the front entrance that warn visitors about entering the property. The main staircase off to the front side is steep and narrow. As you ascend higher thru the castle, the staircases, steps and flooring are shaky so use caution. The main bridge at the top that connects two towers is shaky as well. I explored all of the areas of the castle and was very impressed. Jim Bishop was on site, sitting under a Denver Broncos canopy. He is very friendly. He offered some patrons to take pictures with him, with the castle in the background. I expressed gratitude to Jim for building the castle and he said, in a very friendly and hospitable tone, "You're very welcome." There is no admission fee. Donations are strongly recommended. It helps with the funding of building the castle. There is also a gift shop on site. Proceeds from the gift shop go to funding of building the castle as well. They're building a new gift shop because the previous one burned down. Current space for the gift shop is an old trailer. There is a snack bar on site as well. They serve hot dogs, frito pies, sodas and snow cones. There are also "porta potties" on site as well. Make sure you have hand sanitizer with you as they're kinda gross. Today I saw Bishop's Castle on Google Earth for places to see in the world. I highly recommend visiting! It's well worth the trip! Ya never know what beauty, wildlife or other experiences you may have along the way. I saw 7 deer cross the highway in front of me on the way back home, not too far from Florence! Also, after visiting the castle I recommend visiting the town of Westcliffe. It's a charming town surrounded by the beauty of the Rockies. Well with the visit! read more

Bishop's Castle - Another front shot of Bishop's Castle I was standing on the edge of the highway - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Rye, Colorado

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This place is too freakin cool! And the fact that it's free is also a major draw as well! If I'm being honest it's pretty scary walking all the way to the top, but totally worth it for the gorgeous views! Though I wouldn't recommend it if you're even a little bit scared of heights. Though even from the ground, it's amazing! read more

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Hidden gem! Very interesting Place to view. Wear walking shoes Great adventure! Only regret is I wish we took more pic read more

Definitely worth stopping by and worth the detour. Very cool and the fact that one man built this is magnificent. If you are scared of heights it might not be your jam, but there are railings to hold on to for most of the steep stairs. The entrance is free but there is a donation box out front and cute little shop with some unique things inside. Wish we could have found Mr. Bishop to say hello. read more

Bishop's Castle - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Rye, Colorado

Cool place! I think if I were going to use a word to describe it all the word would probably be eclectic. It is definitely a place to walk slowly and be careful that you don't fall through a hole, as other reviews have said, but it's such a cool place that it's worth the very scenic drive to experience. Even if you're vertically challenged there are ways you can tour this place without feeling like you're going to fall to your death. Most of the castle has handrails, and because I am vertically challenged I only went up about halfway because I felt like I needed something to hold onto and even looking down through the grates was a little freaky, but it was so cool to see what Jim Bishop had done. I read some of the other reviews prior to going, and it is pretty easy to ignore the anti-government propaganda signs and just enjoy the rest of what you experience there, so I wouldn't let the negative reviews dissuade you. read more

Bishop's Castle - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Rye, Colorado