Snowmobile | Colorado State Parks
 

Castlewood Canyon

Castlewood Canyon Natural Area

 

 

 

Location:    Douglas County, at Castlewood Canyon State Park, east of Castle Rock.
Size:   1990 acres  
Designated:   June 1994
Landowner: Colorado State Parks

Castlewood Canyon marks the descent of Cherry Creek from the north rim of the Palmer Divide.  This natural area supports one of the best remnants of northern Black Forest plant communities, including unlogged forests of ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir, Gambel oak thickets, and grasslands of mixed prairie and foothills species.  Several plant species of special concern have been found within the park boundaries, including Woodsia Mexicana (Mexican woodfern), Asplenium septentrionale (grass-fern), and Smilax lasioneuron (carrion-flower). An unusual dryland heron rookery and a turkey vulture roosting site are among the zoologic features of the park.

This site is featured in the Colorado State Parks and Natural Areas Book

Colorado State Parks & Natural Areas by Frank Weston


Published September 1, 2008

Click here to purchase.


Last Modified Date: 2/23/2010 4:34 PM