In the woods of Oneida County, a man has spent nearly four decades building a castle by hand, and he opens it to the public just one weekend a year. This September, you can walk through the gates of Kelley Castle, climb to its rooftop, and sit in its throne room before he closes up for another year.
TLDR: Kelley Castle, a hand-built medieval-style castle next to Killarney Lake near Tomahawk, is open to the public Friday, September 18 through Sunday, September 20, 2026, from 9 AM to 5 PM. Admission is free with donations accepted, and it’s cash only. The castle sits off Highway Y on an unpaved road at 2815 Rice Rd, Tomahawk, WI.
Quick Answer: Kelley Castle is open September 18–20, 2026, 9 AM to 5 PM, free with donations (cash only). It’s at 2815 Rice Rd, Tomahawk, WI, off Highway Y near Killarney Lake. Electrician Pete Kelley has built the three-story castle by hand since 1987. Watch for signs on Highway Y for “Kelley Arms,” and expect an unpaved road. There’s a scavenger hunt for kids, food and souvenirs, and guests often arrive in costume.
The story behind Kelley Castle
Last updated: August 2026
Pete Kelley, an electrician by trade, started clearing trees to build the castle in 1987. Nearly 40 years later, it stands three stories tall with a grand bedroom, rooftop access, and a throne room. He does the work himself, hiring out only what falls outside his skillset.
“I compare it to a guy who builds a monster truck,” Kelley told WJFW. “You know, you get an inkling, you get some inspiration, and you follow it.” He has said that when he lacks a skill or the equipment, “I have to break open my wallet.”
The castle sits next to Killarney Lake, more than 35 feet above the water, built partly from Wisconsin red granite with turrets, a flag, and a moat, according to PBS Wisconsin’s “Wisconsin Life” feature.
What started as a personal project has become something of a regional landmark. Local coverage, a PBS feature, and a short documentary have all told some version of the same story: a working electrician who refused to stop building. The result is not a reproduction of some European keep but a one-of-a-kind structure that grew organically, one stone and one addition at a time, shaped by what Kelley wanted to build next.
One weekend a year, every fall
Kelley keeps the castle closed most of the year. Around 2017, after friends visited him in the fall, he started opening the gates around Tomahawk’s annual Fall Ride, a four-day motorcycle rally that draws riders through the Northwoods.
“Once a year, I’m going to cut the grass, sweep the floor, and open it up,” he said. That tradition continues: the castle is open a single three-day weekend each September.
The 2026 opening runs Friday, September 18 through Sunday, September 20, from 9 AM to 5 PM each day. The Kelley Castle Facebook event frames it with a bit of theater: “By royal decree of his highness, the gates of Kelley Castle shall once again open this year September 18-19-20.”
The once-a-year format is part of the appeal. Because the castle is closed for months at a time, each opening weekend is the only chance all year to see it, which gives the event a festival-like energy. Riders on the Fall Ride loop make up a big share of the crowd, but families and curious travelers come from across the region for the same reason.
What to expect when you visit
Kelley Castle is a family-friendly outing. Google reviews describe a castle with fairies, plus a scavenger hunt for kids. Visitors mention food and drinks, souvenirs, and guests arriving in costume; on-site performers like the Knights of the North put on armored sword-fighting shows rather than traditional horse-mounted jousting. Admission is free, though donations are accepted and go directly to the project. The page notes the castle is cash only, so plan ahead. Expect crowds on a good-weather weekend: the 2026 event already shows roughly 300 people interested.
Come by land or by sea, as the page puts it, but mind the road. The approach off Highway Y is not paved, and the event page warns visitors to use extreme caution driving in. Watch for signs on Highway Y for “Kelley Arms.”
Getting there from Price County
Kelley Castle is roughly an hour-and-a-quarter drive from Price County, which makes it an easy fall day trip from Phillips or Park Falls. Head south toward Tomahawk, then take Highway Y toward Killarney Lake and follow the “Kelley Arms” signs to Rice Road.
It sits in southwest Oneida County near the Town of Little Rice, not in Price County itself, so budget the drive accordingly. From Rhinelander it’s about 45 minutes; from Phillips or Park Falls, plan on an hour and fifteen to an hour and a half each way.
Since it’s open only one weekend, and the castle has no website, the Kelley Castle Facebook page is the best place to confirm details and any weather-related changes before you head out.
A castle worth crossing the county line for
Kelley Castle has earned a devoted following far beyond Oneida County. It’s been featured by PBS Wisconsin, Wisconsin Public Radio, and a short documentary by filmmaker Nate Sheppard called “Pete’s Castle,” which follows a day in the life of its builder.
For anyone who loves the odd, handmade corners of the Northwoods, this is the rare attraction that rewards the trip: one man’s four-decade obsession, open to the public for three days, then locked away for another year. Mark September 18–20 on the calendar, bring cash, and watch for the “Kelley Arms” signs.
See also: our guide to free camping in Wisconsin When you want a hot meal after camping, Ripsaw Saloon in Prentice is open Thu–Sun from 2 PM.
See also: our 48-hour Price County itinerary
See also: what makes Price County communities special
Sources
- Kelley Castle — Annual Opening 2026 event
- WJFW — Kelley Castle is a hidden gem with nearly 40 years of dedicated construction (Jul 31, 2026)
- Wisconsin Public Radio — Short film tells the story of the Northwoods man who built a castle
- Tripadvisor — Kelley Castle reviews
- PBS Wisconsin — Wisconsin Life: Kelley Castle