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AboutThe town
About Glenwood Springs
About Glenwood Springs
Glenwood Springs is built on geothermal water. People have been coming here to soak for more than a century, and the mountain town of about 10,000 has organized itself around that ever since. Relaxation, outdoor recreation, and a historic core tend to arrive as a package for anyone who visits.
The Glenwood Hot Springs Pool is the best-known stop, the world's largest hot springs pool, where you soak in mineral-rich water with the mountains on every side. Iron Mountain Hot Springs nearby is a smaller and quieter setup with a run of pools at different temperatures. The Yampah Spa and Vapor Caves are a different thing entirely, an underground steam bath.
Sitting at the confluence of the Colorado and Roaring Fork rivers puts a lot of water and a lot of public land within reach. The town works as a base for the White River National Forest, with hiking trails, mountain biking routes, and fishing all close by. Hanging Lake, a National Natural Landmark, is the hike people plan trips around.
The historic downtown district has kept its Victorian architecture, and the buildings hold shops, restaurants, and galleries that lean on the area's heritage. The Glenwood Springs Historical Museum covers the town's past, and so does the Hotel Colorado, known as the "Grand Old Lady of the Rockies," which is a piece of that past still standing.
Glenwood has worked at protecting both its natural resources and its historic character, and its growing reputation as a wellness destination has followed. Most people who come here want the relaxation and the adventure in the same trip, and the town is set up to give them both.
- Population
- 10,000
- Elevation
- 5,761 ft
- Best time
- Year-round
- Known for
- Hot Springs
What is Glenwood Springs known for?
The hot springs, mostly. People have been coming here to soak in the geothermal water for more than a century, and that's still the main reason most visitors show up. It's a town on the Western Slope that's built its whole identity around the water coming out of the ground.
Which hot springs are in Glenwood Springs?
There are three. The Glenwood Hot Springs pool is the world's largest hot springs pool and the one everybody knows. Iron Mountain Hot Springs is a set of smaller mineral pools, and the Yampah Spa and Vapor Caves are natural steam caves, which is a different thing entirely. Each one has its own feel, so it's worth knowing what you're after before you go.
What is there to do besides the hot springs?
Glenwood sits against the White River National Forest, so there's hiking and mountain biking right out the door, plus fishing and kayaking on the rivers. Hanging Lake is the big draw for hikers, though access is regulated now and you'll need to sort out a permit ahead of time. Check the current rules before you plan that one.
Is there much history in Glenwood Springs?
The Hotel Colorado has been open since the 1890s and they call it the Grand Old Lady of the Rockies. The downtown still has its Victorian buildings, and the Glenwood Springs Historical Museum fills in the rest of the story. It's an old railroad and resort town, and it hasn't tried to hide that.
How do I get to Glenwood Springs?
Easiest way is to drive in on I-70. It's about 2 hours west of Denver. Amtrak's California Zephyr stops here too, which is one of the nicer ways to arrive, and the Eagle County Regional Airport is the closest airport for flying.
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