Chatfield Lake
17 mi northwest · US Army Corps of Engineers
Chatfield Dam, located southwest of Denver on the South Platte River, was the second of three dams built to protect the Denver region from floods.
Outdoors
Biking and mountain biking near Castle Rock
Trails and recreation areas near Castle Rock open to biking and mountain biking.
23places to ride
17 mito the closest
13within 30 miles
August–Junebest months
Good to know: Wilderness areas are closed to bikes; check each area’s trail rules and yield to hikers and horses.
Closest picks
Kelsey Campground
23 mi west · USDA Forest Service
Kelsey is one of two campgrounds within the Buffalo Creek Recreation Area, about an hour's drive southwest of Denver, Colorado.
Bear Creek Lake
24 mi northwest · US Army Corps of Engineers
Bear Creek Dam, the last of three dams built to protect the Denver region from floods, is located on the southwest edge of suburban Lakewood at the confluence of Bear Creek and Turkey Creek.
Map of all 23 places
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Within 30 miles (13)
Chatfield Lake
Chatfield Dam, located southwest of Denver on the South Platte River, was the second of three dams built to protect the Denver region from floods.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Water sports
Kelsey Campground
Kelsey is one of two campgrounds within the Buffalo Creek Recreation Area, about an hour's drive southwest of Denver, Colorado.
- Biking
- Camping
- Climbing
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
Bear Creek Lake
Bear Creek Dam, the last of three dams built to protect the Denver region from floods, is located on the southwest edge of suburban Lakewood at the confluence of Bear Creek and Turkey Creek.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Picnicking
Colorado Campground
Colorado Campground is a favorite family destination near Manitou Lake Picnic Area north of the town of Woodland Park. A short trail leads to the lovely lake, where visitors enjoy fishing, bird watching and canoeing.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Manitou Lake Pavilion
Manitou Lake Picnic Area, is located 7 miles north of Woodland Park, Colorado,. The Manitou Lake Pavilion is located inside the picnic area and is a wonderful group day use picnic area for groups up to 50 people.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Painted Rocks
Painted Rocks Campground is located a short distance from Manitou Lake Picnic Area and the Centennial Bike Trail in central Colorado.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Meadows Group Campground
Meadows Group Campground offers a wonderful opportunity for groups to enjoy the great outdoors.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Pike Community
Pike Community is a group campground located about 6 miles north of Woodland Park in central Colorado. It is a popular choice for of all ages, complete with a baseball field, sand volleyball court and a horseshoe pit.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
Buffalo Campground
Buffalo Campground is one of two facilities within the Buffalo Creek Recreation Area, about an hour's drive southwest of Denver, Colorado.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Red Rocks Group Campground
Red Rocks Group Campground is located 4 miles north of the town of Woodland Park, Colorado. Visitors enjoy the area for hiking, biking and visiting the nearby 5-acre Manitou Lake.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
Meadow Ridge
Located about 10 miles from the town of Woodland Park, Colorado, Meadow Ridge Campground is pleasantly situated on a ridge above the Rampart Reservoir. Here, campers have access to prime fishing and mountain biking and hiking trails.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Thunder Ridge
Thunder Ridge Campground, located above the Rampart Reservoir, is one of two campgrounds within the Rampart Reservoir Recreation Area. The campground overlooks the reservoir, which is popular for fishing.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
This 15,000 acre site provides a Refuge for both wildlife and visitors. Through wildlife management, species like the endangered black-footed ferret are thriving in the wild and raising their young.
- Archery
- Biking
- Birding
- Cross Country Skiing
- Educational Programs
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Photography
30 to 75 miles (7)
Spruce Grove Campground
The beautiful Spruce Grove campground is positioned beside large rock outcroppings on Tarryall Creek. Magnificent hiking trails to the Lost Creek Wilderness Area are just steps away from the Creek Bridge.
- Biking
- Camping
- Climbing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Rock Climbing
Round Mountain
Round Mountain is a small, rustic campground that sits just 6 miles from Lake George and Eleven Mile Canyon, 11 miles from the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument and 15 miles to Eleven Mile Reservoir.
- Camping
- Climbing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Mountain Biking
Gold Belt Tour Back Country Byway
The Gold Belt Tour Back Country Byway retraces the historic travel routes for the World’s Greatest Gold Camp, Cripple Creek. Travel on a historic, narrow-gauge railroad bed, an old stage road, and a county road on the Byway.
- Biking
- Camping
- Climbing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Picnicking
Strawberry
The Strawberry area includes approximately 8 miles of Single-track, non- motorized trails that are collectively known as the Phases.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
Carter Reservoir (Carter Lake)
Developments include 5 campgrounds with 151 campsites and 3 boat-launch ramps. A concession-operated public marina located at the north end of the lake (970.667.1062).
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Ranger programs
Flatiron Reservoir
Flatiron Dam and Reservoir are located on Chimney Hollow Creek 8 miles southwest of Loveland, Colorado. The dam and reservoir are features of the Colorado - Big Thompson Project . One campground with 41 campsites. Access is good.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Ranger programs
Pike and San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands
Peaks to Prairies - Tracks to Trails Pike and San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands ( forest locator map ) cover nearly 3 million acres, between the prairies of western Kansas and some of Colorado's…
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Climbing
- Fire Lookouts/Cabins Overnight
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
75 miles and farther (3)
Lake Estes
Lake Estes, a feature of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project , is formed by Olympus Dam constructed across the Big Thompson River.
- Biking
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Lake Granby
Granby Dam and Lake Granby, features of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project are on the Colorado River near Granby, Colorado. Developments include 260 campsites and 3 boat-launch ramps.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Recreational Vehicles
- Wildlife viewing
Pueblo Reservoir
Recreation at Pueblo Reservoir is managed by the Colorado State Parks under agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation, Eastern Colorado Area Office, Loveland, Colorado.Pueblo Reservoir was created by Pueblo Dam which crosses the Arkansas…
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fish Hatchery
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Picnicking
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Castle Rock. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
Get outside around Castle Rock
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
Hiking up to the Rock
The short climb in Rock Park toward the butte that gives the town its name, with views over downtown. A Short shared by Espi Agency | Colorado Real Estate.
Watch on YouTube ↗
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
Challenge Hill at Philip S. Miller Park
Climbing Challenge Hill, the steep staircase nicknamed the miniature incline, at Philip S. Miller Park. A Short shared by DadandAshton.
Watch on YouTube ↗More outdoors near Castle Rock
Questions
Where is the closest place for biking near Castle Rock?
Chatfield Lake (US Army Corps of Engineers), about 17 miles northwest of Castle Rock as the crow flies. Next are Kelsey Campground (23 mi) and Bear Creek Lake (24 mi).
When is the best time for biking near Castle Rock?
Based on Castle Rock’s average highs, August–June. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Reclamation, US Army Corps of Engineers. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.