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Bishop Castle, Rye, CO

Photo: Hustvedt, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

SightseeingQuirky FunFreeLocal Gem

Bishop Castle

12705 Highway 165 · Rye, CO

Why you should go…

Jim Bishop began building this stone castle in 1969 and kept adding to it until 2019, one stone, log and weld at a time. It stands just above 9,000 feet in the Wet Mountains, on a small parcel bordered by San Isabel National Forest, with towers and arched windows you can climb through at your own risk. Entry runs on donations, as Bishop wanted. His son Daniel now cares for the castle after Jim's death in 2024.

  • #castle
  • #roadside attraction
  • #folk architecture
  • #wet mountains

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Bishop Castle, ordered by straight-line distance.

  • Tours
    Iconic

    Royal Gorge Route Railroad

    $50+

    A scenic train ride from Canon City along the Arkansas River beneath the Royal Gorge suspension bridge.

    27 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Echo Canyon River Expeditions

    $50+

    Guided whitewater rafting trips through Bighorn Sheep Canyon and the Royal Gorge on the Arkansas River.

    27 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Attractions
    Iconic

    Royal Gorge Bridge & Park

    $25–$50

    Adventure park near Canon City featuring the highest suspension bridge in America over the Arkansas River gorge.

    27 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Tours
    Outdoor Adventure

    Raft Masters

    $50+

    Whitewater rafting outfitter running guided Arkansas River trips out of Canon City, Colorado.

    27 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours