About Camp Saint Malo Shrine and Chapel on the Rock in Allenspark, Colorado:
In 1916, Monsignor Joseph Bosetti discovered the prominent rock while searching for a falling star (meteor) with campers. Inspired by Jesus’ words to Peter (“Upon this rock I will build my church”), he envisioned a chapel there. Funding shortages and conflicts with highway plans delayed construction for about 20 years. Land was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Malo (hence the camp’s name).
Designed by Denver architect Jacques Benedict, Chapel on the Rock (officially Saint Catherine of Siena Chapel) was completed in 1936. It is a historic Catholic chapel and popular tourist landmark perched atop a large granite rock formation in Allenspark, Colorado.
Chapel on the Rock sits on the grounds of the Saint Malo Retreat, Conference, and Spiritual Center (Camp St. Malo), operated by the Catholic Archdiocese of Denver. It is a rustic stone chapel built directly on and into the rock, featuring simple, sturdy construction with local stone, evoking a sense of permanence and harmony with the dramatic mountain landscape.
The interior includes wooden pews, a tabernacle, large crucifix, sanctuary lamp (in use since the first Mass in 1935), and colorful stained glass (including one depicting St. Catherine of Siena). It has survived multiple disasters, including a 2011 fire that destroyed much of the retreat center and the 2013 floods/landslides, which left the chapel largely untouched. In 1999, Boulder County designated it a historic site. The chapel remains a functioning Catholic chapel on the retreat center grounds. The site now emphasizes public visits, spiritual retreats, weddings, and heritage preservation (including a new visitor/heritage center and Stations of the Cross trail). There is a gift shop on site. Guided hikes/tours available (e.g., history or Stations of the Cross). Great for photography, especially with mountain backdrops.
In 1993, during World Youth Day in Denver, Pope Saint John Paul II visited, prayed inside, blessed the chapel, and hiked nearby trails.
One of those trails is now the Pope St. John Paul II Trail.
Traveling to Camp Saint Malo Shrine and Chapel on the Rock in Allenspark, Colorado:
The chapel is located at the base of Mount Meeker (part of the Rocky Mountain National Park area), along the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway. It offers stunning views, especially with the mountain backdrop. Allenspark is a charming, remote mountain community at an elevation of 8,500 feet, nestled along the Peak to Peak Highway (Highway 7). It sits just south of Estes Park and serves as an ideal, quiet base camp for exploring the Wild Basin area of Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s a peaceful, scenic stop popular with tourists, photographers, and those seeking quiet reflection near Rocky Mountain National Park.
Address: 10758 CO-7 (State Highway 7), Allenspark, CO 80510 (about 12 miles south of Estes Park).
By Air: The closest major airport is Denver International Airport (DEN). From there, it’s a scenic 70-mile drive (roughly 1.5 to 2 hours) northwest via US-36 through Boulder, transitioning onto Highway 7. Renting a car is necessary, as public transit is unavailable in this mountainous region. Keep in mind that winter driving conditions require 4WD/AWD or chains.
Visit the official site of Camp Saint Malo Shrine and Chapel on the Rock.