A hand-built stone castle rises from the woods on Highway 165

Drive the wooded back road of Highway 165 through the southeastern corner of Custer County and something improbable comes into view through the trees: a real stone castle, towers and all, surrounded by the San Isabel National Forest at roughly 9,000 feet.

This is Bishop Castle, and the story is the draw. Jim Bishop began the work in the late 1960s and kept at it for decades, building it largely by hand, as the family puts it, “one stone, one log, one weld at a time.” The result is a tall, irregular structure of native rock and welded iron, with gothic windows, walkways, and a stainless-steel dragon worked into the design. Jim passed away in 2024, and his family has continued caring for the site.

A few honest notes before you go. This is not a polished, ticketed tourist stop. There is no admission charge; it runs on donations. It is a non-traditional structure, and you enter and climb at your own risk, with steep iron stairs, high walkways, and full responsibility for your own safety and anyone you bring. Because it sits high in the forest and is cared for by one family, hours and access can change with weather and the season.

So treat it as a detour worth taking, not a sure thing. Check the official Bishop Castle website for the latest on hours and access before you make the drive.