Mount Falcon Park
Mount Falcon Park is a Jefferson County Open Space park in the foothills above Morrison where the trails lead to real castle ruins. Hike to the stone shell of John Brisben Walker’s burned mansion, find the marble cornerstone of a never-built Summer White House for U.S. presidents, and climb a wooden lookout tower with views from the plains to the high peaks.
Mount Falcon Park in Morrison, CO
In the early 1900s, entrepreneur John Brisben Walker bought more than 4,000 acres around Morrison, including the land that is now Mount Falcon Park. Starting in 1909, Italian stonemasons built his family a grand home on the mountain, with a tower, eight fireplaces and ten bedrooms. Walker also dreamed bigger. In 1911 he began promoting a “Summer White House” on a nearby ridge, a 22-room castle designed by Denver architect J.B. Benedict as a gift from the people of Colorado to the presidents, and a cornerstone of Colorado Yule marble was laid on July 4, 1914. The presidential castle was never built. Walker’s wife died in 1916, and in 1918 lightning struck the mansion and it burned. Walker left Colorado soon after, but his vision of protecting big pieces of the foothills helped lay the groundwork for Denver Mountain Parks and Jeffco Open Space.
Today the park has two trailheads. From the Morrison Trailhead on Vine Street, the Castle Trail climbs about 2,000 feet, a tough workout with views back toward Red Rocks and Denver. From the West Trailhead on Mount Falcon Road in Indian Hills, it’s a much easier walk of about 0.7 mile to Walker’s castle ruins. From there, the 0.4-mile Walker’s Dream Trail leads to the Summer White House cornerstone and the stub of its first wall. Tower Trail takes you to a wooden observation tower you can climb for wide views. Hikers and horseback riders have the 1.7-mile Turkey Trot Trail to themselves, while the rest of the trails are open to mountain bikes too. Leashed dogs are welcome on the trails.
Photo Gallery
Photo credits: Walker Castle Ruins by JThorne (CC BY-SA 4.0); Summer White House by JThorne (CC BY-SA 4.0); Summer White House Cornerstone by JThorne (CC BY-SA 4.0); Mount Falcon Park 2016-07-12 952 by Chris Light (CC BY-SA 4.0); Parmalee Trail @ Castle Trail 2016-07-12 960 by Chris Light (CC BY-SA 4.0); Castle Trail 2016-07-12 964 by Chris Light (CC BY-SA 4.0); MFP 2016-07-12 958 by Chris Light (CC BY-SA 4.0); SWH, Mt Falcon 028 by Xnatedawgx (CC BY-SA 3.0); Trailhead 2016-07-12 956 by Chris Light (CC BY-SA 4.0). Images via Wikimedia Commons.
News & Events
Check the Mount Falcon Park page for alerts and closures before you go. Jeffco Parks & Open Space is piloting a visitor-counting camera system at the Morrison Trailhead to study trail use and parking; the county says it does not capture faces or license plates. Year-round fire restrictions apply in all Jeffco parks: no campfires, grills or open flames.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do at Mount Falcon Park?
- Walker castle ruins: Explore the stone walls and tower of John Brisben Walker’s 1909 mansion.
- Summer White House site: Find the 1914 Yule marble cornerstone on Walker’s Dream Trail.
- Lookout tower: Climb the wooden tower on Tower Trail for big views.
- Castle Trail: Tackle the steep 2,000-foot climb from Morrison.
- Ride or bike: Horseback riders and mountain bikers share most of the trails.
What is nearby Mount Falcon Park?
- Red Rocks Amphitheatre: The famous outdoor concert venue just north in Morrison.
- Dinosaur Ridge: Dinosaur tracks and bones along the hogback near Morrison.
- Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave: The Wild West showman’s grave on Lookout Mountain.
- Roxborough State Park: Red rock fins and hiking trails to the south.
How much does it cost to visit Mount Falcon Park?
It’s free. Jeffco Open Space parks don’t charge entrance or parking fees, so you can just park at either trailhead and start hiking.
When is Mount Falcon Park open?
Like most Jeffco Open Space parks, Mount Falcon Park is open year-round from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. Being in the park outside those hours is not allowed without a permit.
Are there any tips for visiting Mount Falcon Park?
For an easy outing with kids, start at the West Trailhead at 21074 Mount Falcon Road in Indian Hills and walk to the castle ruins. For a workout, start at the Morrison Trailhead at 3852 Vine St. and take the Castle Trail. Both lots fill up on nice weekends, so go early. Bring water, sun protection and layers, and stay on the trails around the fragile ruins. In winter, carry traction devices, as shady trails can stay icy.
Mount Falcon Park’s Morrison Trailhead is located at 3852 Vine St., Morrison, CO 80465, and its West Trailhead is at 21074 Mount Falcon Road, Indian Hills, CO 80454. Call Jeffco Parks & Open Space at 303-271-5925 or visit jeffco.us to plan your visit.