Looking for quick trip into the mountains from Castle Rock area (Castlewood: shop, garden)

[emilybelle]

My parents are coming to visit, and my Mom wants to, "Have a picnic by a cool mountain stream." I know. Anyway, I know there are no quick trips up into the mountains from Castle Rock, but does anyone have a recommendation of something 'relatively' close that would be a pretty place to explore?

[Snikt]

Originally Posted by emilybelle

My parents are coming to visit, and my Mom wants to, "Have a picnic by a cool mountain stream." I know. Anyway, I know there are no quick trips up into the mountains from Castle Rock, but does anyone have a recommendation of something 'relatively' close that would be a pretty place to explore?

Castlewood Canyon State Park

very nice, right next to Castle Rock

[Mike from back east]

Take her to Cherokee Ranch and Castle , very near Castle Rock. It really IS a castle, with tours and tea and the like.

Bring her down here to Manitou Springs. Eat at the Stagecoach Inn, where the back room is a deck right over top of a babbling stream. Manitou is FULL of shopping, great food, and it's compact and walkable.

If you do come down this way, on the way down here exit I-25 at Garden of the Gods Road (exit 146) and drive her through Garden of the Gods (free); everyone loves it. Exit the park and head south on 31st and then head west on Colorado Avenue (through the shopping area of Old Colorado City) and Colorado Avenue will take you right into Manitou.

If you start at a decent time in the morning, there's time for all of this and a train ride the cog railway to the top of Pikes Peak, which is always 30 degrees colder (and windy) at the top -- take a jacket. Reserve your tickets for this trip - reserve 3 seats and you get the seats with the best view. Get one of their famous donuts at the top.

[reed303]

Go north of C.R. on US 85, turn west on CO 67 towards Deckers. Along the way 67 parallels the South Platte River. And there is a USFS picnic spot called "Bridge Crossing" along the way. Maybe pickup a U S Forest Service map beforehand (BTW, never go into the mountains without a local map !) (also it's the Pike Natl Forest)

[emilybelle]

Thanks, these are all great ideas! We love Castlewood, one of our favorite parks! Ahh, Manitou, the cutest little hippy town ever, and so much to do around the area. I think we'll try the Bridge Crossing Park. I appreciate your suggestions!!