Activities Abound in Castle Rock, CO
Locals enjoy wellness offerings aplenty in Castle Rock.
For Castle Rock residents, an active and healthy lifestyle just comes with the territory – in fact, the community’s proximity to the outdoors, combined with multiple health and wellness offerings, is a prime reason many choose to live in the area.
The region’s geography and a community that values health and wellness make Castle Rock an ideal place to pursue a work-life balance.
“Castle Rock is a very fit and active community in Colorado – and Philip S. Miller Park is rated one of the best parks in the nation,” says Chris Wahle, outdoor adventure coordinator at The EDGE Zipline & Adventures.
“They have tons of hiking and mountain biking trail loops, a challenge hill with a 200-step incline, an amphitheater where they do concerts but also yoga in the park, turf fields for soccer or Frisbee golf, and our zip line – everyone is just blown away when they come here.”
Active Parks
Philip S. Miller Park is the region’s largest park project, spanning 320 acres, including a 7.4-mile trail network, zip line and rock climbing facilities, the challenge staircase and an adventure playground. Castle Rock boasts 54 developed parks, including 24 that the Parks and Recreation Department manages.
Just 10 minutes from downtown Castle Rock, a handful of trailheads like East Plum Creek Trail, Ridgeline Trail and Mitchell Canyon Trail are easy to access, making adding a walk, run or bike ride into your daily routine a snap.
A number of local resident-led groups, such as the Meadows Hiking Club or the Castle Rock Run Club, help keep you fit and have fun.
Nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains south of Denver, Castle Rock is an easy day trip to Estes Park (the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park) or Pikes Peak (one of the state’s most popular Fourteeners, located in Colorado Springs). It is home to some of the most beautiful mountains in the world.
Year-Round Fun
Castle Rock’s mountain sports draw outdoor enthusiasts who trail run or rock climb in the summer and ski in the winter. There are also numerous membership-based facilities like Ubergrippen Indoor Climbing Crag Castle Rock, Matrix Martial Arts, Peace Out Yoga and StretchLab.
Castle Rock hasn’t forgotten its agricultural roots, though. Whether locals are hitting farmers markets for the best local produce or out on a leisurely horseback ride, the area’s rural history isn’t far behind.
On the historic Lowell Ranch, the Colorado Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF) connects people to agriculture through authentic educational programs, community projects and leadership opportunities. The organization aims to inspire lives, nurture leaders and build lasting relationships.
CALF’s Lowell Ranch takes a unique approach to honoring and preserve the region’s heritage while making it relevant for modern times
“This is a place for people to experience agriculture and to understand how important it is to everyday life,” says Brooke Fox, president and CEO of CALF. “We let people come and see where their food comes from and who creates and raises that food. We have more than 500 volunteers a year, and the focus is on leadership programs for youth.”
CALF’s Lowell Ranch offers a range of activities for people of all ages, whether volunteering or children’s day camps, tours (including pumpkin patches and hayrides), cooking and food preservation classes and other events and activities throughout the year.
The Castle Rock area also offers several options for locals to take advantage of the availability of farm-fresh, locally grown and raised meat, eggs and produce at area farmers markets during the spring and summer seasons, such as the Saturday farmers market at the Outlets at Castle Rock or the Sunday market at Festival Park.
“We have a lot of active people here in Castle Rock,” Wahle says. “You’d be surprised by how many people from 20 or 30 minutes away don’t even know we’re here and everything we have to offer!”
If you’d like to learn more about the Castle Rock area, check out the latest edition of Livability: Castle Rock, CO.