Franktown, Perry Park & Larkspur
Acreage, horse property, and red-rock views south and east of Castle Rock.
- County
- Douglas
- Elevation
- 6,200 to 6,900 ft
- Population
- About 2,500 combined
- Downtown Denver
- 39 mi from Larkspur · about 45 min
- Colorado Springs
- 32 mi from Larkspur · about 35 min
- Schools
- Douglas County School District
Drive times are typical and change with traffic and weather.
Living in Franktown, Perry Park & Larkspur
What it's like to live in Franktown, Perry Park & Larkspur
This is the rural edge of Douglas County. Franktown sits about 7 miles east of Castle Rock where Highways 83 and 86 cross. Larkspur and Perry Park lie to the south, in the valleys along East and West Plum Creek. All three are small: the 2020 census counted about 400 people in Franktown, 200 in Larkspur, and 1,900 in Perry Park.
The history runs deep. Franktown is named for a prospector who built a cabin there in 1859 and was an early county seat. Perry Park grew from an 1870s ranch set among red sandstone formations. Castlewood Canyon State Park is just south of Franktown, and the Colorado Renaissance Festival fills the hills west of Larkspur each summer.
This area suits buyers who want room, horses, and quiet, and who accept longer drives for errands. Water and fire matter here. Some areas have central water and sewer, but many rural homes rely on their own wells, and parts of Perry Park are rated moderate to high for wildfire risk.
Where it is
Where Franktown, Perry Park & Larkspur sits on the Front Range
Hover a pin for a quick look. Click to open that town's guide.
Neighborhoods
Where to look in Franktown, Perry Park & Larkspur
Franktown
An unincorporated crossroads at Highways 83 and 86, about 7 miles east of Castle Rock and 9 miles south of Parker.
Perry Park Ranch
Home sites among red rock formations about 15 miles southwest of Castle Rock, home to more than 750 households. The old Manor House is now the Perry Park Country Club clubhouse.
Larkspur
A small town in the East Plum Creek valley with I-25 access, about 11 miles south of Castle Rock.
The Pinery
A larger, more suburban community on Highway 83 about 4 miles north of Franktown, bordering Parker.
Get outside
Things to do in Franktown, Perry Park & Larkspur
- 01
Castlewood Canyon State Park
A 2,628-acre park about five miles south of Franktown with about 12 miles of trails, climbing walls, and the ruins of the 1890 dam.
- 02
Colorado Renaissance Festival
A 16th-century-style village on 60 acres west of Larkspur, open summer weekends from June through August.
- 03
Spruce Mountain Open Space
A loop of about 5.5 miles to a flat-topped mesa with views from Windy Point and the Greenland Overlook.
- 04
Greenland Open Space
About 1,200 acres off I-25 with more than 11 miles of trails open to horses and bikes and a fenced off-leash dog area.
- 05
The Golf Club at Bear Dance
A public 18-hole course in Larkspur at about 6,800 feet with Front Range views.
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FAQ
Franktown, Perry Park & Larkspur questions, answered
How far is this area from downtown Denver?
Larkspur is about 39 miles south of Denver, roughly 45 minutes on I-25. Franktown is 9 miles south of Parker on Highway 83.
What county are these communities in?
All three are in Douglas County. Larkspur is an incorporated town. Franktown and Perry Park are unincorporated.
What is the elevation?
About 6,200 feet in Franktown, 6,500 feet in Perry Park, and 6,900 feet in Larkspur.
What school district serves the area?
Douglas County School District. Larkspur Elementary serves kindergarten through 6th grade.
What should I know about water and wildfire?
Many rural homes rely on private wells, so check the well permit and water levels. Perry Park has a central water and sewer district, rates its wildfire risk as moderate to high, and is a Certified Firewise Community.
How far is Pikes Peak?
Larkspur is about 32 miles north of Colorado Springs, and the base of Pikes Peak is in Manitou Springs just west of the city.
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