Castlewood Canyon is a state park, with state-park rules

Close to Franktown, Castlewood Canyon protects a stretch of Cherry Creek where the land drops into a rocky canyon. It is an easy day trip from much of Douglas County, with hiking trails, rock-climbing walls, and the ruins of an old dam to look at.

The key thing to know before you go: this is a state park, run by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, not a free city open space. State parks have their own access rules. That usually means a vehicle pass to enter, and it means some uses are limited. At Castlewood Canyon, for example, where you can ride a bike or a horse is restricted to certain trails, and parts of the park can close seasonally to protect fragile areas.

Those rules are normal for a Colorado state park, and they change from time to time, so it is worth a quick check rather than assuming. Knowing the difference between a state park, a county open space, and national forest land saves confusion at the trailhead about passes, dogs, bikes, and closures.

Before a visit, check current hours, passes, and any trail or area closures on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife page for Castlewood Canyon State Park.