Bishop Castle — Attraction in Cañon City

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I am giving this review 2 stars FOR THE CRAFTSMANSHIP ALONE. I admire the vision behind this project, but the realities of its existence are much more grim than you would have hoped…

My wife and I went here in 2023, and while this thing is incredibly impressive - it is big time sketchy.

I was thinking this would be similar to the “City Museum” in STL, but no… BEWARE! This place is not for exploring. Tunnels to crawl through that lead to drop off elevator shafts, cast iron walkways 2 stories high with gaps in the railings mended by rope - only at waist height, 1 way stairs throughout the entire property - including to the top of lookout towers - with 2 way traffic and holes in the stairs - no railings - and wide open windows to fall out of directly beside you, no clear direction for the flow of traffic, leading to jams and panic, and the cherry on top - THE LOOKOUT TOWER, with nothing other than fleur-de-lis decorations at ankle height to keep you from tumbling down at least 5 stories. ⬇️ ⬇️ I had a go-pro 360 running for the whole walkthrough. Man… that footage still makes me pucker 🍫⭐️🐟 when I watch it. My wife got pushed to the outside of the tower turret due to no workers or staff or LITERALLY ANYONE limiting the amount of people that are allowed on the tower - And with the stairs only being one way, there is no way to turn back and go back down (trust me, I realized this was gonna get hairy after the second hole in the step and the lady having a panic attack above me, unable to move, with no way for my wife and I to escape) We were trapped. I have 360° footage of her hanging on the tower like Luke Skywalker in episode V after getting his hand cut off.

Needless to say, after climbing the tallest tower - we did not care to take on then central spire haphazardly welded together. Although it was reminiscent of the city museum spires, I did not dare make the mistake of comparing the two as I did when approaching this dangerous attraction. We chose to live, and went on to hike up to a Chasm Lake for our sense of adventure and slight adrenaline rush for the trip : much more safe.

The only reason this place has not been shut down is because they don’t take money from guests for entry; they take money by having vendors, donations, and gift shops (albeit the gift shop had burned down when we had gone to visit, and was nothing more than a charred room filled with rubble - completely accessible to the public) I truly don’t understand how this place stays open - as unsafe properties are condemned by the city/state frequently for the “safety of the public.”

I’ve always wanted to dig a tunnel. Ya know… Like way underground. Maybe dig out a hang out area and put bean bags down there… some string lights… Maybe a tv and a mini fridge…. This castle made me think to move to CO, dig my tunnel, and let people come down there free of charge. Of course I’d charge them for drinks and T-shirts, but it seems like I would be safe from any regulations as long as I wasn’t charging guests to enter the creation itself.

I don’t recommend you go, your kids go, or anyone you love goes to see this “attraction.” While it is an impressive work of art - sculptures are not meant to be played on. There is not a worker to be found for assistance, guidance, or direction of foot traffic. There are no signs to be seen other than the ramblings of the creator scribbled and spray painted on pieces of metal and rock upon your approach to the castle from the road. Common sense safety was and is not a part of this building’s blueprint. My wife and I took time out of our day at Great Sand Dunes to detour here, and greatly regretted spending our time on vacation away from the city crammed next to people’s butts in our faces in the spiral stairs, ladies having panic attacks unable to move out of our way so we could get out of hers, and my overall concern for both my wife and I’s safety as we tried to avoid the multiple elevator shaft drop offs as we wandered through the uncharted maze that was Bishops Castle. Save your time -...

Absolutely beautiful- A modern example of an engineering marvel accomplished primarily by one man with a goal and an entire lifetime of hard work and dedication, with the will and gumption to see it through to the very end- Masonary, stained glass windows, a good bit of blacksmithing, etc, all compliments this grand feat of structural engineering. Mr. Bishop most definately new the six core principles of mechanical engineering (referring speciffically to simple machines like leverage, pulley systems to carry stone such great hieight, wheel/axle, wedge, etc., and he undisputibly put them to good use.

It is almost comparable to some of the castles you might visit in Southern Bavaria (albeit nothing on the scale of a castle like Neuschwanstein, Bishops Castle was built primarily by one man), but the fact that it was built by one human being with a strong passion and an even stronger will is what makes it so awe-inspiring in my opinion.

You can see where the infastructure and design starts to slightly decline as he reached the end of his life in the fall of 2024 (rest his soul). Bishop's castle has a lovely Euro - American twist in both the design and infrastructure that gives it an absolutely fantastic character. Definately a must see for anyone interested in some local history, the life long work of a man on a mission, or anyone seeking motivation in general to garner what each one of us is capable of should we put our mind to it. Definately awe inspiring and a grand feat for one person to take on- a good reminder that we are capable of so much more then most think.

Although their is a gift shop and donations are encouraged, admission is completely free which I also find quite admirable. To say that it is awe inspiring is more than an understatement; although still beautiful the photographs still do not do it justice. Definately an experience that comes with a somewhat (in my opinion) extremely bleak-back story, some amazing structural engineering, blood sweat and tears, built brick by brick single-handedly with little to no outside help, Jim Bishop most definately passed on a legacy that will live on for generations to come.

Although I highly recommend checking out this architectural feat and Mr. Bishop's lifelong work I'd be weary to bring any children or those that aren't light of step / or suffer from any form of acrophobia. Much of the towers and across most of the cat-walks, have very little in the way of safety. Definately not a place to let a child roam unsupervised, if at all. For all adults reading this review, I highly recommend visiting while it remains open to the public- I hope I'm wrong on this one, but after Jim's death I'd be surprised if it remains open to the public as-is for...

Nestled amidst the picturesque landscapes of the Colorado wilderness stands Bishop's Castle, a marvel of human determination and creativity. As a visitor, stepping into the realm of this awe-inspiring structure is akin to entering a fairy tale brought to life. Bishop's Castle is not just a monument; it's a testament to one man's relentless passion for architecture and his unwavering commitment to craftsmanship.

Upon arrival, the castle's towering spires and intricately designed façade immediately capture the imagination. Constructed single-handedly by Jim Bishop over the course of several decades, every stone of this edifice tells a story of dedication and vision. What began as a modest stone cottage evolved into a colossal fortress, defying architectural norms and embracing whimsical elements reminiscent of medieval times.

Ascending the winding staircases within the castle, visitors are treated to breathtaking views of the surrounding wilderness. From the highest towers, one can gaze upon the vast expanse of the San Isabel National Forest, lending a sense of serenity and wonder to the experience. The craftsmanship displayed in every nook and cranny of Bishop's Castle is truly remarkable, with intricate ironwork, hand-carved wooden embellishments, and whimsical details adorning its interior.

One of the most captivating aspects of Bishop's Castle is its interactive nature. Visitors can engage with the structure in a way that transcends the traditional museum experience. Climbing the narrow spiral staircases to reach the dizzying heights of the towers, or exploring the labyrinthine corridors, sparks a sense of adventure and exploration. Each corner reveals a new surprise, from hidden alcoves to secret passages, fostering a sense of discovery and delight.

Yet, amidst its enchanting charm, Bishop's Castle also serves as a testament to the power of individual creativity and perseverance. Jim Bishop's dedication to his vision, overcoming numerous challenges and setbacks along the way, is a source of inspiration for all who visit. His refusal to compromise on his ideals, even in the face of skepticism and adversity, speaks to the transformative power of passion and determination.

A visit to Bishop's Castle is not merely a journey through stone and mortar; it's an odyssey into the realms of imagination and human ingenuity. Whether you're a history enthusiast, an architecture aficionado, or simply a traveler in search of wonder, Bishop's Castle offers an experience that is both captivating and unforgettable. As you wander through its corridors and scale its towers, you'll find yourself transported to a realm where dreams take flight and anything...