Bishop Castle - Not for the Faint of Heart

Bishop Castle

Rising out of Colorado’s remote Wet Mountain Range, Bishop Castle is a royal symbol of hard work, creativity and perseverance. Jim Bishop began building this unfinished, medieval fantasyland 60 years ago while using nearby rock and timber so the fortress blends neatly into the local environment.


The scary keep is designed to shoot straight skyward as a labyrinth of stone and iron ascends to dizzying heights. Not for the faint of heart, a strenuous climb up a spiral staircase is required to reach the summit of this monster house.


Once you reach the top, vertigo sets in and things begin to sway as intermittent gusts of cold air make your balance unsteady. The acrophobic experience is exacerbated by open windows, suspension bridges, exposed ledges and sketchy railings but the views are incredible.


Back down in the lower bowels of the austere bastion, a grand ballroom is illuminated by a series of beautiful stained-glass windows. Interesting details can be found throughout the citadel, enticing visitors to explore every nook and cranny.


From the outside looking up, the sheer scale of the structure begins to sink in, making you feel thankful to have both feet on the ground. The most fascinating piece is the fierce dragon that guards entry into this magical kingdom. Armed with a steely gaze, the silver serpent warns all who dare to approach - ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK!


Rising out of the Wet Mountains

An austere bastion

Grand ballroom

A silver serpent

Spiral staircase

Stained-glass windows

Enter at your own risk

Vertigo sets in

Incredible views

Acrophobic experience

Monster house

Medieval Fantasyland

A scary keep

A labyrinth of stone and iron

A royal symbol

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