Colorado 165, west of Beulah, Colorado, 719/485-3040, www.bishopcastle.org
One of Colorado’s most preeminent—and quirkiest—roadside attractions, Bishop Castle is still a work-in-progress. Jim Bishop started his big, strange castle in 1959 and now dubs it “the largest one-man construction project in the world.” No kidding. A colossal castle made from rocks collected out of the surrounding forest, the castle has a 160-foot tower and is watched over by a steel dragon with a flamethrower in its throat. Next Bishop wants to surround the 2.5-acre property with a two-story rock wall with an internal walkway, a project that dwarfs the castle in scope. Considering the unfinished state of the castle’s interior, and the somewhat scary climb to the top of the towers (great views, but wobbly platforms, wide-open windows, and gusting winds), it might be a long time before the wall is finished. Another hurdle: There is nary a rock left in site from the tippy-top. But Bishop’s persistence has surprised just about every castle visitor to date, so don’t count him out.
One of Colorado’s most preeminent—and quirkiest—roadside attractions, Bishop Castle is still a work-in-progress. Jim Bishop started his big, strange castle in 1959 and now dubs it “the largest one-man construction project in the world.” No kidding. A colossal castle made from rocks collected out of the surrounding forest, the castle has a 160-foot tower and is watched over by a steel dragon with a flamethrower in its throat. Next Bishop wants to surround the 2.5-acre property with a two-story rock wall with an internal walkway, a project that dwarfs the castle in scope. Considering the unfinished state of the castle’s interior, and the somewhat scary climb to the top of the towers (great views, but wobbly platforms, wide-open windows, and gusting winds), it might be a long time before the wall is finished. Another hurdle: There is nary a rock left in site from the tippy-top. But Bishop’s persistence has surprised just about every castle visitor to date, so don’t count him out.
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