Things to Do in Glenwood Springs – Colorado’s Premier Resort Town

From the first otherworldly photos you see of Hanging Lake, you know that Glenwood Springs is a magical place and on every Coloradoan’s adventure bucket list. The dazzling travertine water seems suspended from the sky in an upside-down waterfall surrounded by green gumdrop forest. It’s a National Natural Landmark and something everyone should see at least once. But Hanging Lake is just one of the major draws to Glenwood Springs, and after you work it out above ground, you can soak your cares away in the natural mineral pools surrounding the area. It’s a great weekend road trip or midway stop en route to Aspen, just three hours from Denver.

Bucket List Must: Hanging Lake Hike

The Hanging Lake Hike is short but steep, and at just over a mile, the payoff far exceeds the exertion. Considered moderate to difficult, it’s pretty much straight up with 1000 feet of altitude gain and a series of switchbacks. Permits are required year-round, with peak season reservations available starting April 1. There are two options — take a shuttle from Glenwood Springs to the Hanging Lake or bike/hike through Glenwood Canyon to the trailhead.

2021 Update: The area was severely affected by the wildfires, and the hike is closed until further notice.

Why Everyone Comes: Best Glenwood Hot Springs

Identified by the Ute Indians as a natural healing area, the bubbling waters of Glenwood Springs have long been a destination for rest, revitalization, and reset. The Glenwood Hot Springs Resort is the one everyone knows, as it’s hard to miss. Right off the highway, as soon as you enter the town, it’s the world’s largest hot springs pool and thus a major tourist attraction (read: always crowded). For something a bit more unique and less touristy, head up the block to the Yampah Spa and Vapor Caves. The 125-year-old cavern produces a naturally hot therapeutic steam infused with 30+ minerals entirely underground. Wander between the rock rooms of varying temperatures or book a geothermal mineral treatment. Iron Mountain Hot Springs is another one of Glenwood’s newest hot springs resorts and home to 16 mineral pools along the scenic Colorado River. There is a separate area for families to soak and an adults-only section for more intimacy.

Get Your Thrill On: Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

One of the most exhilarating attractions for families in Colorado, this Western-themed amusement park has racked up accolades like “10 Best Rollercoaster Rides of Your Life,” “Most Extreme Attraction,” and “Best Family Fun Center” similar to Cave of the Winds in Colorado Springs. The park features a scenic gondola ride, thrill rides, 4D theatre, laser tag, and cave tours. It’s home to a canyon swing, rollercoaster, and a haunted mine drop, which is the world’s first underground drop ride. Make sure you take a picture with Halvor Flowstone, the park’s 14-foot troll, ride the US’s first alpine coaster, and tour King’s Row, the most impressive cave in Colorado. There are also high ropes courses, ziplines, and escape rooms in the area for more things to do with kids in Glenwood Springs.

Work Up a Sweat: Outdoor Attractions in Glenwood Springs

Glenwood Springs is an outdoor lover’s playground. Summer and fall are prime times for rafting and paddling, with the nearby Colorado River offering Class III and Class IV rapids. In the winter, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and ice skating are fun ways to get the adrenaline pumping or hit the slopes at Sunlight Mountain Resort, the area’s ski destination. World-class, gold-medal fly fishing, year-round mountain biking, and rock climbing are also significant draws or see the area from the sky as you get a thrill skydiving or paragliding.

Eat Up: The Best Restaurants in Glenwood Springs

Dining in mountain towns can sometimes be tricky as there are fewer options and inflated prices. Not Glenwood. For a quickie breakfast before you hit the road, grab some doughnuts or a cinnamon roll from Sweet ColoraDough or Rosi’s Little Bavarian Pastry Shop, or opt for a more leisurely brunch at Daily Bread, which features delightful benes and breakfast burritos bigger than your head. Co. Ranch House and the Pullman are highly rated for classic, Western comfort food that’s satisfying without pretension, while Juicy Lucy’s and Smoke Modern BBQ are also great for casual bites. For a more unique dining experience, pay a visit to the Rivera Supper Club, an entertainment establishment run by Phantom of the Opera Musical Director, or the Glenwood Vaudeville Revue, which also boasts dinner and show.

Rest & Rejoice: Where to Stay in Glenwood Springs

The area’s first flagship hotel, Hotel Colorado, was built in 1893 and has hosted dignitaries like President Theodore Roosevelt and William Taft. It’s a step back in time with historic charm in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Hotel Denver is another historical yet modern property and the area’s first boutique hotel, predating the trend by about 100 years. If you want to soak just steps from your room, the Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge includes unlimited access to the hot springs, which is basically the hotel pool to end all hotel pools.

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