Constructed in 1871 by the founder of Colorado Springs, many visitors of Olympic City USA tend to miss what’s sure to be a rewarding trip to see the stunning Glen Eyrie Castle.

The house was designed to be the dream home of General William Jackson Palmer and his wife during early years of development in Colorado Springs. Located just north of Garden of the Gods, the Tudor-style house is home to 17 guest rooms and multiple large meeting spaces, including a Great Hall that spans 2,220-square feet.

A number of other attractions exist on the 800-acre estate, including rock formations similar to those found at the Garden of the Gods, a Carriage House and cafe, and trails to explore.

Since Palmer’s death in 1909, the property has changed hands multiple times, purchased by a Texas oil baron in 1938, later being sold to The Navigators in 1953 after 1949 flooding was devastating to the land.

The Christian-based Navigators group continues to own the estate today, and while it’s not fully open for public exploration, the public is able to take advantage of scheduled tours and special experiences in order to see the sprawling property.

The three most common ways for the general public to visit the site include a regular afternoon tea event, tours, and for lodging.

Tea service needs to be booked ahead of time online, taking place Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. and priced at $38 per person. Guests get to sip on handcrafted teas in the Castle Music Room while snacking on soups, salads, and finger sandwiches from a seasonal menu.

Meanwhile, tours can be scheduled Monday through Sunday, priced at $14 per person. The tour is estimated to be 90 minutes long, including plenty of historical information about the unique site.

Rooms can also be booked at the property, varying in pricing and typically in the range of about $180 to $300 per night. Most of the available bookings are for spots outside of the main castle structure, but are a short walk away. Castle rooms are also open for lodging, though availability of these rooms tends to be more limited. Explore the possibilities here.

Glen Eyrie Castle maintains a high rating on Google Reviews at 4.7 stars. A trip here is sure to be a memorable one, but just make sure you’ve booked one of the aforementioned experiences prior to showing up at the gate.

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