The castle is in the care of Historic Scotland, but in the Middle Ages it was owned by the Maxwell family. Being very close to the border with England, it had to be defended several times against English forces. One such occasion was the Siege of Caerlaverock of 1300.
About 2 miles to the east is the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Reserve WWT Caerlaverock. Both the Castle and the WWT reserve are within the Caerlaverock NNR - National Nature Reserve.