Come out and join Castle Rock’s largest attended running race, indoor expo, and Thanksgiving morning tradition – the 18th Annual Turkey ROCK Trot 5K Family Fun Run/Walk/Stroll in Castle Rock, CO. Whether you are a serious runner or leisurely walker, bring the whole family and start a new tradition.You are CHANGING LIVES with the Help&Hope Center when you register for the Turkey ROCK Trot. The Help&Hope Center provides assistance to our neighbors in Douglas and Elbert counties who are in serious economic need, at risk of homelessness, or in a similar crisis.
Location: Castle Rock
Castle Rock WineFest
Presented by the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce, this outdoor wine event offers unlimited tastings from more than 2 dozen wineries with over 180 varietals of the finest Colorado wines. Held annually on the third weekend in July, this festival draws wine aficionados for the enormous variety of Colorado wines, fabulous food trucks, artisan vendors, and live music.
Douglas County Fair Parade
In the early 1950’s the business community wanted to promote the Douglas County Fair and Rodeo prior to the event opening to increase commerce in their businesses. In its 37th year, the Douglas County Fair and Rodeo became even more grand when they included a fabulous parade to kick off and welcome the western heritage festivities. Following their success of putting on the parade the local business community decided they should join forces and create the Castle Rock Chamber in December 1955. Their purpose was to create an organization that would bring the business community together in promoting the very small community of Castle Rock and help their businesses grow. More than sixty five years later, the Chamber organization provides businesses the the opportunity to collaborate and work on solutions for the community and to connect with other business people.The Fair Parade, which originated in 1955 and has long since become a staple of the summer’s liveliest weekend of the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo’s public events. Represent your business and participate in the Chamber’s Fair Parade.
Saturday, July 29, 2023
Time: 9:30 AM
Downtown Castle Rock
Downtown Castle Rock
Parade starts at the south end of Town on Plum Creek
Turns Right and travels North down Wilcox St
Turns Right on 4th Street
Turns Right on Perry Street
Ends on 2nd Street
Castle Rock Artfest
This esteemed community art festival highlights the talents of more than 110 exhibitors displaying a wide range of works from life-size sculptures, to photography and jewelry. This two day event is held in downtown Castle Rock at Festival Park. Delight in the artistic impressions of more than 110 Artists from across the country. Continual live main stage entertainment, featuring popular musicians, will provide a complimentary backdrop to this year’s program. Admission is free to this 2 day event.September 9 & 10, 2023
Sat (9-6pm) Sun (10-5pm)
Location: Perry Street (between 3rd/South) & Festival Park
Castle Rock, CO 80104
Castle Rock Starlighting
Presented by the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce, the Castle Rock “Lighting of the Star” has been a community event shared by residents dating back to 1936. The same spirit of volunteerism, generosity and love of tradition exists today as Castle Rock businesses and residents prepare to celebrate Starlighting on the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
Castle Rock Starlighting
Presented by the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce, the Castle Rock “Lighting of the Star” has been a community event shared by residents dating back to 1936. The same spirit of volunteerism, generosity and love of tradition exists today as Castle Rock businesses and residents prepare to celebrate Starlighting on the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
Castle Rock
Things To Do in Castle Rock
It’s easy to see how Castle Rock got its name when one spies the castle-shaped butte towering high above the town center. The town’s history is also easily visible in the original, well-preserved homes, cafés, and churches throughout the area. Many of these were built using the unusual rhyolite stone that originally attracted the settlers who founded the town in the mid-to-late 18th century. Prior to their arrival, the area was occupied by Cheyenne and Arapahoe Indian tribes. Today, nearly 60,0000 people call Castle Rock home.
With roots in mining and railroads, this affluent town offers an updated taste of the Old West. It boasts a historic downtown area, 265 acres of parks, and 44 miles of trails. Castle Rock, easily accessible by Interstate 25, is home to the Outlets at Castle Rock (the largest open-air outlet center in the State) and is the seat of Douglas County. The town encompasses 33 square miles and sits in the East Plum Creek Valley at the base of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of 6,202 feet.
With over 300 days of sunshine each year, Castle Rock is a safe and welcoming place to enjoy the brisk Colorado air year round.
Colorado Destinations
Unique Colorado Destination
Colorado’s cities and towns are as diverse and beautiful as its landscape.
The culturally rich city of Denver and the quiet mountain escape of Aspen are all attractive Colorado destinations. Colorado has a vacation destination for everyone. Are the high mountain peaks calling your name? Get to know Colorado and plan your trip to check off everything on your bucket list. Rafting, skiing, hiking, art shows, concerts, mountain biking, cycling, dining, fishing, mountain retreats, exploring nature, and much more. Coloradoinfo.com has divided Colorado into 3 regions. Each of these regions represents unique characteristics and proximity.
View our interactive regional map of Colorado to take a closer look and find the locations you want to visit.
Order a free Colorado vacation planning guide to help you find the perfect vacation spot!
The Central Mountains
The heart of the Rocky Mountains spans the state north to south, and is home to the highest elevated cities and towns in the country, which feature over two dozen ski resorts. This region is Colorado’s gem for world-famous ski areas, mountain lifestyle, and activities.
The Rockies Playground, recently named by the Colorado Tourism Office, is the most central region of the Rocky Mountains and includes some of Colorado’s most famous resort towns. Due to their close proximity and popularity as ski resorts, the name was chosen to appeal to potential tourists. This region’s towns include Vail, Aspen, Breckenridge, Winter Park, Glenwood Springs, Dillon and Leadville. However, significant resort towns lie north and south of the playground region, including Steamboat Springs in north-central Colorado. Resort towns in south-central Colorado include: Crested Butte, Monarch, Del Norte, Powderhorn and Wolf Creek. The Central Mountains region captures almost all of the mountain towns north to south, aside from Telluride and Durango.
The Central Mountains region includes several spectacular national forests.
All of which include amazing mountain scenery, wildlife, trail systems, nearby camping and towns. From north to south:
- Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest
Steamboat Springs is a ski town. A large area with a variety of mountain attractions. - White River National Forest
The Rockies Playground, many ski resort towns. Engulfed in mountain recreation. - Pike and San Isabel National Forest
The Royal Gorge attraction. This area is rich with wilderness, fourteeners, Backpacking, Camping…More on recreation. - Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest
Crested Butte ski resort and nearby Gunnison. A variety of summer & winter recreation. - Rio Grande National Forest
Wolf Creek ski resort, nearby towns Pagosa Springs and Alamosa, lie within the Mystic San Luis Valley. A huge wilderness area including Great Sand Dunes National Park and Alamosa National Refuge. This area is considered Colorado’s undiscovered jewel. Discover solitude and self-reliance.
The Front Range & Plains
A way of referring to how the plains of Colorado meet the eastern slope of the continental divide.
If you want to watch a Broadway show or enjoy a museum exhibit, you will have the most options in the Front Range. The urban cities of Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, and Colorado Springs are well known for their performing arts, museums, and cultural festivals.
Don’t Miss Front Range Colorado Destination
The Front Range region includes notable attractions such as Estes Park, the eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Pikes Peak, a whole family mountain attraction, lies just west of Colorado Springs. Featuring a scenic train, rafting, horseback riding and much more.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre, an amazing music venue in the foothills west of Denver.
Colorado’s Western Slope
A general way of referring to Northwest and Southwest Colorado.
The Western Slope is a much more remote experience. Grand Junction is the largest city in the area and is often referred to as a city with a small-town feel. This high plains region is rich in agriculture, canyonlands, and warmer weather. Offering up a distinctively unique variety of Colorado destinations.
Northwest Colorado, or The Great West
Features of this area are the national parks such as Dinosaur National Park, the remote Brown’s Park, and the wild horses of the Sand Wash Basin. This area is popular with outdoor enthusiasts offering a variety of camping, RV parks, off-road vehicles, horseback riding, rafting, cycling and exploring in general. While the mountains are melting down, northwest Colorado is in full bloom.
Southwest Colorado, or The Mountain Mesas
Another very diverse region of Colorado with a mix of Colorado destinations and ski resort towns such as Telluride, and Durango. Complemented by Montrose, a very agricultural community but also rich with adventure. In the very southwest corner of Colorado is Cortez. Surrounded by big attractions such as Mesa Verde National Park, Monument Valley . Cortez is also the gateway to the Four Corners and the Canyonlands of Utah
Castle Rock WineFest
Presented by the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce, the WineFest is held annually on the third weekend in July. This festival draws wine aficionados for the enormous variety of Colorado wines, fabulous food trucks, artisan vendors, and live music. Come Sip & Savor some of the finest vino Colorado has to offer! With more than 2 dozen wineries with over 180 varietals of the finest Colorado wines.The Castle Rock WineFest was first held in 2004. It quickly gained popularity and continues to grow bigger and better each year! Come Sip & Savor some of the finest vino Colorado has to offer. Our Grand Tasting event offers unlimited tastings from over 2 dozen Colorado wineries.This event is 21+, no exceptions. All tickets are non-refundable, but may be transferred to others. Take our Free Shuttle from Douglas County Fairgrounds to Bison Park (1 PM-9 PM).Saturday, July 15, 2023
Time: 2 PM to 7 PM
Bison Park
1390 Clear Sky Way
Castle Rock, CO 80109