C O L O R A D O
P A R K S
&
W I L D L I F E
Castlewood Canyon State Park
FACT SHEET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017
Who we are
Castlewood Canyon State Park offers a beautiful natural setting with hiking, picnicking, rock climbing, sightseeing
and nature study. Visitors enjoy spectacular panoramic views that stretch more than 100 miles along the Colorado Front Range. Designated
as a Colorado Natural Area, the park preserves 2,634 acres of the ecologically unique Black Forest Region, including a number of rare and
endangered plant species. Trails lead to historical landmarks such as the Castlewood Dam and the Lucas Homestead.
Visitors to Castlewood Canyon State Park spend about $1.5 million annually at local businesses.1
Top attractions
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Several popular bouldering and rock climbing areas
Popular destinations for weddings and other special events, including The Bridge Canyon Overlook and Pike’s Peak Amphitheater
A wide array of volunteer-led public programs
One of Colorado’s summer roosting sites of the turkey vulture. Birders often report sightings of rare or unexpected bird species at the park
Our partners
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The Friends of Castlewood Canyon
Castlewood Canyon State Park
Volunteers
Douglas County Parks and Open Space
Douglas County
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Strong population growth along the Front
Range is driving ever-increasing visitation,
and this is predicted to continue past 2050.
Managing this increase through public education, preventative maintenance and best
stewardship practices will be critical for the
park’s natural resource integrity and availability for future generations to enjoy.
Community outreach is important for park
success. The park will continue strong relationships with park visitors, park volunteers
and the Friends of Castlewood Canyon.
Ensuring natural resource health projects,
including fuel mitigation, noxious weed resource management and white nose fungus, are funded and completed through coordinated efforts between park staff, Denver office staff,
Colorado State Forest Service staff and volunteers.
With over 90% of park visitors using our trails, the park continues to work with volunteers and youth corps groups to keep 13 miles of
trails safe and enjoyable.
Volunteer activities
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Volunteers and community groups help with most trail maintenance projects. Last year, the park welcomed work crews from TEENS,
Inc., the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps, and Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado to improve the sustainability of our trail system.
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Three dozen volunteers received their “48 hour pass.” (10 of the volunteers donated over 100 hours and 2 of them donated over
300 hours.)
1Source: Corona Research, Colorado State Parks Marketing Assessment, “Visitor Spending Analysis 2008-2009” (adjusted for inflation).
COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216 (303) 297-1192 cpw.state.co.us
KEN PAPALEO//HIGH COUNTRY COLORING/CPW
Challenges we face
2989 South State Highway 83, Franktown, CO, 80116-8612
(303) 688-5242 • Email: castlewood.canyon@state.co.us
Park Manager: Brent Lounsbury
As of June 30, 2017
Manager’s Message
Walden
Fort
Collins
Craig Hayden
Steamboat
Springs
Sterling
Estes Loveland
Park
Greeley
Oak Creek
Fort Brush
Morgan
Meeker
Kremmling
Wray
Brighton
Denver
Golden
Avon Vail
Rifle
Frisco
Glenwood
Springs
Castlewood
Canyon
Breckenridge
Collbran
Fruita
Aspen
Leadville
Castle
Rock
Limon
Burlington
Fairplay
Grand Junction
Delta
Paonia
Hotchkiss
Buena
Vista
Crawford
Colorado Springs
Kit Carson
Cripple Creek
Olathe
Gunnison
Montrose
Salida
Canon City
Pueblo
Ridgway
Ouray
Lamar
La Junta
Dove
Creek
Walsenburg
Monte Vista
Dolores
Cortez
Mancos
Durango
Alamosa
La Veta
Springfield
Pagosa
Springs
Trinidad
COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216 (303) 297-1192 cpw.state.co.us
VIC SCHENDEL/CPW
Castlewood Canyon State Park’s rich natural landscape and diverse wildlife habitats, along with its proximity to
the burgeoning greater Denver metro area, make it a unique and precious place. It is a sanctuary for raptors, deer
and elk, as well as for the quiet renewal of the human spirit. This value is reflected in our strong and increasing
visitation, the ongoing commitments of our volunteers and partners and the dedication of our staff. It is essential
that all these stakeholders work together for the future, long-term sustainability of Castlewood Canyon as a space
for people and nature to coexist.
Employees
Trails
Geography
Permanent: 4
Total: 12.9 miles
Region: Northeast
Temporary:
6
Total Operating: 13
County: Douglas
Volunteers: 517
Year Acquired: 1979
Volunteer Hours: 9,306
Roads
Elevation: 6,300 ft
Paved: 2 miles
Miles From Denver: 30
Annual Visitation
168,775
Recreation
Acreage
Ranger/Nature
Programs
Total Acres: 2,585
Facilities
Rock Climbing
Group
Picnic
Area
Wildlife/Bird Viewing
Governmental
th
55 Picnic Sites
US Cong Dist: 4
th
Visitor Center
CO Senate: 4
th
CO House: 39
VIC SCHENDEL/CPW
Castlewood Canyon State Park
