When most people think of Colorado cities, Denver comes to mind. Our ski towns get a lot of hype as well. Most people have heard of Vail and Aspen. This article is the first in a series about some of the more subtle towns around Denver. Not everyone loves this big city lifestyle and that’s ok. We have great cities in the front range with loads of charm and hidden gems.
This week’s feature is Castle Rock. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in Colorado. The population is approximately 62,276 which is up almost 30% from the 2010 census. Located 28 miles south of Denver and 37 miles north of Colorado Springs Castle Rock is the home to commuters from both cities. Other than its central location, Castle Rock has a lot to offer.
Castle Rock got its name from the prominent rock in town, named Castle Rock. The rock is shaped like, you guessed it, a castle. A star is lit on "Castle Rock" each holiday season (it's a great town to visit for the holidays).
Some quick history on the area:
- The region in and around Castle Rock was originally home to the Arapaho and Cheyenne peoples. They occupied the land between the Arkansas and South Platte Rivers
- Settlers were drawn to the area for gold, but it was the rhyolite stone that ultimately was found
- During the late 1800s and early 1900s, Castle Rock had a very active rhyolite quarrying industry
- Castle Rock was founded in 1874
- In 1936, the town received a donation of land that included its namesake geographical feature, Castle Rock
- Men employed by the Works Progress Administration constructed a star atop the butte shortly after Castle Rock received that donation.
People have been drawn to Castle Rock since the early days because of its unique geography and access to the outdoors. Big city parks can’t compete with Castle Rock. The outdoor opportunities are amazing! Start with the namesake Castle Rock Park. It's a light hike to the top, with great views of Castle Rock and the surrounding area. Here you will find some of the best sunsets you have ever seen. It's a great place to start to experience what Castle Rock has to offer.
Philip S. Miller Park is 300 acres and home to a zip line course, climbing walls, a rope course, and a ninja warrior course. This is just one of the 50 developed parks in the city. There are also 87 miles of trails in Castle Rock for your outdoor enjoyment.
There's a hidden gem of a Colorado State Park located just 15 mins east of Castle Rock, Castlewood Canyon State Park. From Castle Rock, you will access the west entrance. Hidden in the plains, it’s often an overlooked State park of Colorado. That also means that it's not as busy as some of the Mountain parks. Castlewood Canyon is beautiful and it just feels different. It boasts a waterfall, homestead ruins, a stream, caves, and clefts - and a lot of fairly easy hikes without a lot of elevation gain.
Even though the city has grown in population, it still holds the charm of a small town. The main street is home to local shops and restaurants. If you guessed that Castle Rock is home to some of the best-fried chicken in the country, well, you would actually be right! The Castle Cafe has been serving up its famous pan-fried chicken since the early 1900s. Originally The Castle Hotel and Bar, it started out as a gathering place for quarry workers, ranchers, and weary travelers during the 1890s. In those days, the bar was one of the wildest in the area. Although reports of shootouts were not confirmed, brawls were so common that Douglas County was forced to hire an extra deputy to patrol on paydays! The Deputy was also responsible for restraining inebriated cowboys from riding their horses inside the bar.
If you want to try something else that is a part of the history of the town try B&B Café, it's been there since 1946. Union Bistro is a newer restaurant that serves healthy and inspired collusion of rustic Italian, vibrant Mediterranean, and forward-thinking American influences. Fun food and dining are no longer limited to Denver.
If you are looking for a quicker shopping experience, try the famous Castle Rock Outlet Mall. The shopping center has more than 95 stores and is the largest outdoor outlet shopping center in the state. Visitors come from hundreds of miles away for some of the best outlet shopping in the region. Check their website for upcoming sales events. If you like to shop for a bargain this is the place to go.
Castle Rock Real Estate
We've established that Castle Rock is a great place to live, but what about real estate options and homes for sale? As of writing, there were 77 active listings in Castle Rock, with a median price of $708,470. You can search all Castle Rock Homes for Sale here, and while you are at it; check out our Top 20 Cities in Denver.
Castle Rock CO Real Estate Statistics
| Average Price | $901K |
|---|---|
| Lowest Price | $2.4K |
| Highest Price | $19.2M |
| Total Listings | 584 |
| Avg. Days On Market | 84 |
| Avg. Price/SQFT | $299 |
Want to take a closer look at Castle Rock real estate? We are experts in all things Castle Rock, give us a call today at (303) 532-4742 or contact us here.
Posted by Ryan Penn on
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