America's Strangest Castles: Bishop, Gillette and Stokes

America's most memorable castles were not built by kings but by one-off characters: a Colorado ironworker, a Sherlock Holmes actor and a New York millionaire on the "Loneliest Road". Bishop Castle is free and open every day; Gillette Castle's interior opens only in summer and early autumn; Stokes Castle is a roadside stop in central Nevada.

This guide was researched on 5 November 2026. Seasonal hours and prices change, so check before you go.

The castles at a glance

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Bishop Castle, Rye, Colorado

Jim Bishop started building a stone cottage in the mountains south-west of Pueblo in 1969 and kept going for 50 years, single-handedly creating towers, a grand hall, iron walkways and a steel dragon's head. He died on 21 November 2024, and the castle is now looked after by his family.

Bishop Castle, at 12705 Highway 165 in Rye, is open every day of the year from sunrise to sunset. Jim never wanted to charge admission, so it runs on donations. It is not a conventional attraction: the stairs and walkways are narrow and exposed, and visitors enter at their own risk. Keep a close eye on children and wear sturdy shoes.

Gillette Castle, East Haddam, Connecticut

William Gillette, the actor who made Sherlock Holmes famous on stage, built this fieldstone mansion above the Connecticut River in the early 20th century, complete with hand-carved woodwork and hidden mirrors to watch his guests. It is now Gillette Castle State Park.

The grounds are open daily from 8:00 until sunset, and walking them and viewing the castle from outside is free. Interior tours need a ticket: in 2026 they ran daily from 23 May to 7 September (10:00–16:00), then on weekends and holidays until Columbus Day. Check the park's website for prices and any holiday openings.

The historic Chester–Hadlyme ferry, which crosses the river below the castle, was suspended for vessel repairs in September 2026. Check the CTDOT ferry page before planning to arrive by ferry.

Stokes Castle, Austin, Nevada

On US Route 50, the "Loneliest Road in America", the old mining town of Austin has a three-storey stone tower on the hill above it. Anson Phelps Stokes, a New York mining developer and banker, built it in 1896–97 as a summer home, modelled on a tower he had seen near Rome. The family stayed only briefly in 1897, and it has stood empty for most of the time since.

Today the castle is cared for by the Austin Historical Society. You cannot go inside, but you can drive up the short road from town to see it and the views over the Reese River Valley. It makes a good break on a road trip across Nevada; fill up with fuel in Austin, as services are far apart.

For castles elsewhere, see 6 castles worth planning a trip around, and our USA travel guide for road-trip planning.

America's strangest castles: FAQ

Is Bishop Castle free?

Yes. There is no admission charge, but donations help maintain the castle.

Can you go inside Gillette Castle?

Yes, on a ticketed tour from late May to early October. The grounds are free all year.

Can you go inside Stokes Castle?

No. It can be viewed from the outside only.

Sources and planning checks

Facts were checked on 5 November 2026 against Bishop Castle, CT State Parks, CTDOT and Travel Nevada. Gillette Castle tour prices and the ferry's reopening date could not be confirmed. Suggestions are editorial judgments.