Directly below the towering Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs, sits another stunning Centennial State landmark called the Glen Eyrie Castle.

History

The massive Colorado castle dates back to 1871. It originally belonged to the founder of Colorado Springs, William Jackson Palmer. In addition to establishing the city of Colorado Springs, Palmer was also president of The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad and a Brigadier General in the Union Army during the Civil War. The prominent Coloradan lived with his wife and three daughters at Glen Eyrie for 38 years.

General Palmer passed away in 1909. Following his death, the sprawling estate sat untouched for several years. Eventually, the Palmer daughters decided to list their former family home for sale.

The castle changed hands in ownership a few more times over the next decade.

In 1938, Glen Eyrie was purchased by an oil baron from Texas named George Strake. The Strake family put a great deal of effort into repairing and building up the enormous property and used the Colorado castle as their summer home.

Unfortunately, a 1949 flood caused significant destruction to the estate, and the Strake's ultimately decided to part with the property.

Glen Eyrie was once again put on the market. Four years later, it was purchased by a religious organization known as The Navigators. The group continues to use the castle as their headquarters to this day, and also helps to maintain the historic property.

Visiting Glen Eyrie

There are three ways for members of the public to gain access inside Glen Eyrie.

The first is through daily tours that are offered courtesy of castle staff. An authentic knight clad in a suit of armor is there to greet guests upon entering through an arched wooden doorway. Visitors are then transported back in time as they make their way through the building's majestic halls, taking in character and charm around every corner.

Tour reservations can be booked ahead of time through Glen Eyrie's website or by calling 719-265-7050.

The second way people can get a peek inside the castle's walls is by attending afternoon tea time. Sip on specialty and handcrafted teas while experiencing the majestic ambiance of the Castle Music Room. Guests are also welcome to indulge in a seasonal menu with options such as soups, salads, sandwiches, canapes, and sweets.

RELATED: See the Inside of Colorado's Dunafon Castle

While on the glorious castle's grounds, visitors are encouraged to stop into the Glen Eyrie Bookstore, found inside the former Carriage House. Besides a selection of books, other gifts and coffee are available for sale inside the small store.

Staying Here

The final way to gain entry into Glen Eyrie is by booking an overnight stay. With a total of 95 guest rooms spread out across the breathtaking property, guests who stay here truly get the royal treatment.

Seventeen guest rooms are located within the castle itself. The rest of the accommodations are in six other lodges on the pristine property, including the Eagle’s Nest and Pink House. The rooms are a mix of sizes and styles, that were designed to blend historic charm with modern comfort.

All overnight stays include breakfast for two guests in the Castle Dining Room.

Guests are also allowed to hike around the grounds during their stay. There are 16 trails right on the property, as well as peaceful places to relax, yard games, and a ropes course.

The castle also acts as a full-service conference center. The multi-use venue can be rented out for corporate meetings, private retreats, team-building activities, and many other types of events.

Location

Glen Eyrie is located at 3820 North 30th Street in Colorado Springs. The destination is less than a minute from the Garden of the Gods.

Another Colorado castle can be found on the outskirts of Morrison. Read about an easy hike you can take to this magical destination below.

Bear Creek Trail to the Castle

Take this easy hike on the Bear Creek Trail to the Dunafon Castle.

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