Did you know Colorado has its very own castle? Glen Eyrie is a unique, captivating road trip stop in Colorado Springs found on the National Register of Historic Places for El Paso County.
While visiting family in Colorado Springs, we had a chance to wander the grounds at Glen Eyrie. It was originally the estate of the founder of Colorado Springs, General William Jackson Palmer, but has been owned and operated by the Christian ministry organization, The Navigators, since 1953.
The English Tudor-style castle is now a conference and retreat center whose mission is to “inspire, build and encourage those who shape lives through the journeys of life.” You can stop by for a tour of the grounds, have an English or Victorian tea in the castle’s music room or even book an overnight stay.
We couldn’t visit inside the castle itself because a group was using it for a retreat, but we had fun exploring the places my boyfriend grew up in, particularly Queens Canyon (named after the General’s wife). Although a gate prevents you from hiking the entire canyon (which is prone to flash flooding), we were able to walk in enough to see Big Horn sheep perched up on the canyon walls.
Not that you need to hike up the canyon to see them, they wander the grounds munching on grass!
They have a great book store and café, as well. You can get coffee or tea and pick up some wonderful Christian literature, including just about any version of The Message bible you might want. One of their ministries is NavPress, the publishing arm of their ministry. They also have Colorado souvenir gifts and non-Christian specific books, as well.
If you haven’t been to Glen Eyrie before and are planning a trip to Colorado Springs, it is definitely worth a stop. You can learn more about tours, teas, overnight stays and hiking on their website, www.gleneyrie.org.
Glen Eyrie is also right next to Garden of the Gods, another amazing place to visit. For more of the national parks, hikes and other stops on our road trip through Utah and Colorado, visit my page Beyond The PNW!
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