$25 raised by 1 donor
0% complete
$10,000 Goal
Castlewood Canyon feels like a hidden gem—this dramatic, rocky canyon is unexpectedly tucked into the prairie southeast of Denver near Franktown. It’s not as crowded as the big mountain parks, yet it packs in a surprising mix of:
It’s one of those places where you can hike just a couple of miles and feel like you’ve really gone somewhere. Quiet spots along the creek or up on the rim make it easy to slow down and just take it all in.
Friends of Castlewood Canyon State Park is a non-profit corporation that serves the Park and its
visitors by promoting, supporting, and encouraging interpretative and educational programs,
projects, and activities that will enhance, preserve, and foster stewardship of the natural and cultural
heritage features of the park.
Friends was formed in 1997 to inspire stewardship and community engagement, provide critical support through educational programming, trail maintenance, interpretive events, habitat restoration, and fundraising efforts. One of the group’s key goals is to deepen the public's appreciation for the park’s natural beauty and historical significance, including the story of the Castlewood Dam and its 1933 failure, which helped reshape water management in the Denver area.
Accomplishments:
• Castlewood Canyon State Park is now one of only 12 parks in the U.S. with the Leave No Trace Gold Standard Site designation.
• It was recognized for its strong commitment to Leave No Trace principles — including having staff and volunteers formally trained in those ethics, signage and messaging throughout the park, and interpretive education/outreach programs.
• It is also one of the few Colorado state parks designated as a Natural Area.
• Since 1998, Friends of Castlewood Canyon State Park has contributed more than $305,000 to various projects in the park: the Wildcat Canyon Bridge, Visitor Center furniture and renovations, interpretive signage, the purchase of Kleinert Homestead, the Native Garden, the Wonders of Castlewood, high-definition media equipment, mountain lion taxidermy, the planning and construction of East Canyon Trail, the Lucas Homestead-Metzler Acquisition, and the East Canyon Preservation purchase.
Organization name
Friends of Castlewood Canyon State Park
1997
Tax id (EIN)
84-1533425
Category
Environment, Recreation & Sports, Arts, Culture & Humanities, Public & Societal Benefit
Organization Size
Small Organization
Address
2989 S STATE HIGHWAY 83Douglas County, CO, US
El Paso County, CO, US
Denver, CO, US
Arapahoe County, CO, US
Jefferson County, CO, US