Scenic canyons and hot mineral springs are the main draws of the western Colorado town of Glenwood Springs. Located midway between Aspen and Grand Junction, this small but charming mountain town is a great place to relax between excursions into the majestic and vast Rocky Mountains. With a cool elevation of over 5,000 feet, Glenwood Springs has been a hot tourist destination since the 1800s, when the first spa was established in town.
The Native Americans had always known about the wonderful hot springs that bubble out of the canyons around Glenwood Springs, so it’s no surprise that enterprising mine owners from Aspen developed the area into a resort town from the get-go. Although Glenwood Springs is a small, rather remote town, when the massive I-70 finally connected it to Denver, tourists really started pouring in.
The main street, which runs past the enormous mineral spring pools, is where most of the action takes place. Here you will find restaurants, bars, small shops and other diversions, but outside the main drag there isn’t much else except residential neighborhoods. While the town is certainly a great place to unwind, with its pleasant atmosphere and scenic beauty, a couple of days should suffice to see the sights.
Highlights
Fairy Caves: stalactites, stalagmites and myriad other colorful wonders are waiting in these expansive caves which can be reached by tram or a pleasant uphill slog.
Frontier Historical Museum: a plethora of relics and furnishings from the Gold Rush era, including many of Doc Holliday’s possessions, are wonderfully presented in this charming Victorian house.
Glenwood Hot Springs Pool: nearly two city blocks in length, these amazingly huge and warm swimming pools are the center of relaxation in Glenwood Springs.
Yampah Spa and Vapor Caves: a much more exclusive version of the city’s public hot springs can be found in this beautiful natural mineral spring.
Doc Holliday’s Grave: Wild West fans will want to see the final resting place of this infamous dentist turned gunslinger from America’s pioneering days.
Glenwood Caverns: take a gentle 1-hour tour through the grottos and labyrinths or opt for a 3-hour adventure crawling through the less accessible parts.