About Castle Rock

With a reputation for small town hospitality, this charming community has received recognition by numerous national publications as one of the best towns to live, work, dine and play.

With roots in mining and railroads, this affluent town offers an updated taste of the Old West. It boasts an historic downtown area, 265 acres of parks, and 44 miles of trails.  Castle Rock, easily accessible by Interstate 25, is home to the Outlets at Castle Rock (the largest open-air outlet center in the State) and is the seat of Douglas County.   The town encompasses 33 square miles and sits in the East Plum Creek Valley at the base of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of 6,202 feet.

While skiing, mountain biking, and rock climbing are fabulous forms of active and healthy travel, altitude sickness could ruin your mile-high vacation.  View tips for Altitude Sickness Treatment and Prevention.

It’s easy to see how Castle Rock got its name when one spies the castle-shaped butte towering high above the town center. The town’s history is also easily visible in the original, well-preserved homes, cafés and churches throughout the area. Many of these were built using the unusual rhyolite stone that originally attracted the settlers who founded the town in the mid-to-late 18th century. Prior to their arrival, the area was occupied by Cheyenne and Arapahoe Indian tribes. Today, over 55,000 people call Castle Rock home.

With over 300 days of sunshine each year, Castle Rock is a safe and welcoming place to enjoy the brisk Colorado air year ‘round. You can browse in the many shops, galleries or museums around town, and then enjoy a bite to eat at one of our diverse and popular restaurants, bistros or coffee houses. Whether you’re here to enjoy the very walk able downtown area or looking for a restorative bite to eat after hiking “the Rock,” something to please any palate is always just around the corner. If you’re here for a longer stay, you’ll find activities for all ages, including our award-winning library system, state-of-the-art recreation center, golf, art, movies, music, and more.