Strange But Cool Roadside Attractions: Bishop Castle
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Hiding in the mountains of the San Isabel National Forest is a unique castle made of stone. This incredible roadside attraction will require a detour off Highway 65 in southwest Colorado. The breathtaking drive to 9,000 feet is worth it even if you didn’t stop to explore the castle.
The unique stone structure is not for the faint of heart. If you decide to explore the castle, know it is a construction zone. Wear good shoes and keep a hand on the kids. The turrets do not have rails, so if you climb to the top, use caution. Needless to say, this place is not up to code!
Bishop castle is free and open daily to the public. Parking is along the side of the road and was quite full when we were there.
See our tour of Bishop Castle
History of Bishop Castle
Bishop Castle has been under construction for more than 50 years. Jim Bishop bought the land for $450 at age 15 and planned to build a cottage. But changed his mind when neighbors thought his creation looked more like a castle. Bishop began work on his castle in 1969. He has gathered and set over 1,000 tons of rock to create this stone and iron fortress in the middle of nowhere.
Bishop Castle Today
Although his son has taken over many duties, Bishop continues to work on his castle even at age 78. The inspiration for the castle came from Ljubljana, Slovenia, where a medieval fortress was built in the 11th century, and the famous La Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona, Spain.
The castle has an ornate, twisting metal staircase, a dragon’s head, and a large metal dome that rotates when visitors run on it. There are also beautiful stained glass windows on the main floor, which is set up as a chapel. More than 350 weddings have been performed at the castle.
CONSTRUCTION CONTROVERSY
Bishop battled Washington bureaucrats over the rocks he used for construction, which came from the San Isabel National Forest surrounding the castle property. Bishop felt they were his for the taking. The government wanted to charge him per truckload.
The Colorado state Chamber of Commerce refused to list Bishop Castle as an attraction in its official tourism guides. In 1996, he was challenged by the local and state government over unsanctioned road signs that point to the site. They settled the dispute by issuing official road signs.
Today, Bishop Castle is recognized as a tourist attraction. Bishop calls his castle “a monument to hardworking people” and “America’s biggest, one-man, physical project.”
The Future of Bishop Castle
Bishop’s goal is to complete the castle before he dies. His plans include a moat and a drawbridge, a roller coaster, and a balcony big enough to hold an orchestra. After touring the castle myself, I think I’ll skp the roller coaster!
MORE UNIQUE ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS
We've stumbled upon some seriously quirky roadside attractions during our travels. Trust us, these are definitely worth a stop, even if it's just for a quick pic. Check out the map, for info on these must-see gems!
But wait, there's more! We want to hear from you too. Have you come across a roadside attraction that's so wacky, it deserves a spot at the top of our list? Share your craziest discoveries with us, and we'll make sure to add them to our ever-growing collection of must-sees.
Area Attractions
Not all attractions in the area are considered strange! You will want to visit a few of these bucket list worthy attractions while you are in the area.
Mountain Ranges
Mountain ranges in the vicinity have been recognized by the International Dark-Sky Association for stargazing. You can see spectacular views of the Milky Way. The Smokey Jack Observatory is the perfect place to see the night sky. You can even attend one of the many star parties held during summer.
Wet Mountain Valley
Hike or bike between the Wet Mountains and the Sangre de Cristo Mountain range in the historic Wet Mountain Valley. Check out Bear Basin Ranch and take a horseback ride on the alpine trails. See the Wet Mountains and Sangre de Cristo flora, geology, and wildlife. Visit the trout fishery at DeWeese Reservoir, stocked with catchable rainbow trout.
Lake Pueblo State Park
Lake Pueblo State Park offers boating, fishing, and many other activities. Enjoy over 4,600 surface acres of water, 60 miles of shoreline, and almost 10,000 acres of land. Lake Pueblo Trails are open to hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians.
Royal Gorge
Just 45 miles north of Westcliffe, you will find the Royal Gorge Route Railroad train. It offers the best views of the Royal Gorge. The Arkansas River runs through the Royal Gorge region and offers rafting trips. Royal Gorge Bridge is the highest suspension bridge in North America. Just walk across the bridge for some fantastic views.
Holy Cross Abbey
Participate in a wine tasting at Holy Cross Abbey in Canon City. The peaceful grounds of the Abbey are nestled against the Wet Mountains.
Mosca Pass Trail
Take the Mosca Pass Trail from Gardner, Colorado. This 7-mile hiking trail will take you to the Great Sand Dunes. Hike the dunes or sled or surf down the slopes. Take the backcountry Medano Pass Primitive Road through the canyon toward the Sangre de Cristo mountains. Trails lead to forests, wetlands, and alpine lakes such as Medano Lake. Float down Medano Creek during peak runoff.
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