Castlewood Canyon State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Castlewood Canyon State Park |
|
|---|---|
Remnants of Castlewood Dam
|
|
 Castlewood Canyon State Park
Location in Colorado
|
|
| Location | Douglas County, Colorado, USA |
| Nearest city | Castle Rock, CO |
| Area | 2,621 acres (10.61 km2) |
| Established | 1964 |
| Governing body | Colorado Parks and Wildlife |
Castlewood Canyon State Park is a cool state park in Colorado, close to Franktown, Colorado. It's a special place because it holds a unique piece of Colorado's past: the remains of the old Castlewood Canyon Dam. You can still see parts of the dam and the damage from when it broke in 1933. When the dam burst, it sent a huge 15-foot wave of water all the way to downtown Denver, causing a big flood. The park also has the historic Cherry Creek Bridge.
Contents
What Can You Do at Castlewood Canyon?
Castlewood Canyon State Park is a great place for outdoor adventures! You can find many trails for hiking and running here. Some trails are even easy to access for everyone. If you like a challenge, there are also places for rock climbing.
Exploring Nature and Geology
The park has a special area on its eastern side that protects wildlife. It also features interesting geological formations. Castlewood Canyon covers about 2,136 acres and sits at elevations from 6,200 to 6,600 feet. It's part of the northern tip of the Black Forest. Many people from nearby cities come to the park for picnics away from the busy city. You can even reserve picnic spots for groups! Others visit to see the unusual caprock features, which are unique rock formations.
Animals and Plants in the Park
Castlewood Canyon State Park is home to many different animals and plants. It's a great place to spot wildlife!
Who Lives in the Park?
You might see animals like coyotes, cottontail rabbits, and red foxes. There are also black bears and even mountain lions, though they are shy. Keep an eye out for smaller creatures like the meadow jumping mouse and the virile crayfish.
The park is also a birdwatcher's paradise. You might spot large birds like the turkey vulture, golden eagle, and prairie falcon. In the water, you could find Woodhouse's toad and the northern leopard frog. Sometimes, you might even see a prairie rattlesnake, so remember to stay on the trails!
Different Nature Zones
The park has several different types of natural areas, called ecosystem zones. These include open grasslands, areas with shrubs, and riparian zones along the water. There are also foothills with conifer trees and unique caprock formations.
Castlewood Canyon is located on the edge of the Palmer Divide. This area gets more rain than other parts of eastern Colorado. This extra moisture helps to keep the Black Forest green and thriving.
A Look Back in Time: The Dam and the Park
The history of Castlewood Canyon State Park includes a dramatic event involving a dam and a flood.
The Story of Castlewood Dam
The original Castlewood Dam was built in Castlewood Canyon in 1890. Sadly, after very heavy rains, the dam completely broke apart at 1 AM on August 3, 1933. This caused a 15-foot wall of water to rush down Cherry Creek towards Denver, which was about 15 miles away. Luckily, warnings reached the city by 4 AM. This gave most people enough time to move to safety before the floodwaters arrived.
How the Park Was Formed
Castlewood State Park was officially created in 1964. Before that, the state bought 87 acres of land in 1961. Later, in the late 1970s, another 792 acres were added to the park. This helped create the beautiful and historic park we know today.
Images for kids
-
Remnants of Castlewood Dam
