Outdoors
Lakes, rivers and recreation areas near Castle Rock where fishing is allowed, closest first.
Good to know: Anyone 16 or older generally needs a state fishing license; seasons, limits and special rules vary by water. Colorado license information ↗
14 mi west · USDA Forest Service
Please Note: Must be in possession of a horse in order to camp in the equestrian campground. The Indian Creek Equestrian Campground is an ideal camping site for avid horseback riders looking to explore the Indian Creek Equestrian Trail.
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.
19 mi north · US Army Corps of Engineers
Cherry Creek Dam, located at the southeast edge of Denver in Aurora, CO, was the first of the three dams to be built to protect the Denver region from catastrophic South Platte River floodwaters that plagued the area for more than 100…
Map of 27 places loads as you scroll.
Please Note: Must be in possession of a horse in order to camp in the equestrian campground. The Indian Creek Equestrian Campground is an ideal camping site for avid horseback riders looking to explore the Indian Creek Equestrian Trail.
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.
Cherry Creek Dam, located at the southeast edge of Denver in Aurora, CO, was the first of the three dams to be built to protect the Denver region from catastrophic South Platte River floodwaters that plagued the area for more than 100…
Lone Rock Campground, located along the South Platte River, boasts spectacular views and top-notch fly fishing waters. Hikers thoroughly enjoy the nearby Gill Trail and kayakers are drawn to the rapids of the rushing river.
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.
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.
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.
Painted Rocks Campground is located a short distance from Manitou Lake Picnic Area and the Centennial Bike Trail in central Colorado.
Meadows Group Campground offers a wonderful opportunity for groups to enjoy the great outdoors.
Buffalo Campground is one of two facilities within the Buffalo Creek Recreation Area, about an hour's drive southwest of Denver, Colorado.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
Pinewood Lake is located about 12 miles southwest of Loveland, Colorado. The Lake and Dam are a small part of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project , one of the largest and most complex ever constructed by Reclamation.
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…
East Portal Reservoir is a feature of the Colorado - Big Thompson Project. This charming campground sits at the base of a mountain in the midst of a pine forest.
Marys Lake is part of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project. There are 2 dikes on the shoreline of Marys Lake, located approximately 2 miles from Estes Park, Colorado.
Lake Estes, a feature of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project , is formed by Olympus Dam constructed across the Big Thompson River.
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.
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…
Shadow Mountain Dam and Reservoir, Colorado-Big Thompson Project , are on the Colorado River below its confluence with the Grand Lake outlet. Developments include 1 campground with 80 campsites and 2 boat-launch ramps. Good access exists.
Willow Creek, a tributary on the Colorado River near Granby, Colorado, is diverted by Willow Creek Dam and Canal, features of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project.
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.
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
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
Climbing Challenge Hill, the steep staircase nicknamed the miniature incline, at Philip S. Miller Park. A Short shared by DadandAshton.
Watch on YouTube ↗Indian Creek Equestrian Campground (USDA Forest Service), about 14 miles west of Castle Rock as the crow flies. Next are Chatfield Lake (17 mi) and Cherry Creek Lake (19 mi).
Yes, anglers 16 and older generally need a Colorado fishing license from the state wildlife agency. Rules, seasons and limits vary by water.
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.