Glenwood Springs may have made a name for itself because of its hot springs and natural steam filled caves, but this city offers plenty of other opportunities for enjoying the great outdoors. Mountain resorts, white water rafting adventure packages, hiking trails, horseback riding, and even an amusement park are here for you to explore. Here are the best things to do in Glenwood Springs, CO.
Glenwood Canyon
A national natural landmark since 2011, Glenwood Canyon presents a breathtaking drive with access to the region’s myriad points of interest. The canyon’s four rest stops enable visitors to explore different sections of the canyon via a hiking trail: Hanging Lake, Grizzly Creek, No Name (Jess Wheeler), and Glenwood Canyon Recreation.
This last trail covers all of Glenwood Canyon and affords excellent biking and hiking options. If you do rent a bike in Glenwood Springs, most rental businesses provide drop-offs, so that you have the option of only having to bike one way.
Dotsero, Interstate 70, CO 81637, Phone: 970-945-6580
Glenwood Hot Springs Pool
At 405 feet long and 100 feet wide, Glenwood Hot Springs Pool at Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge is the world’s largest hot springs pool. The pool contains the same water you’ll find in the district’s natural hot springs, with fifteen minerals renowned for purifying skin and supporting good health.
You can swim long into the evening while taking in the breathtaking views, and the pool features designated swim lanes for your safety. During the summer, cabana rentals, a children’s pool, and waterslides are available. An overnight stay at the lodge allows you to swim for hours on end and then wake up in the morning to a full breakfast served poolside. The pool is open daily throughout the year.
415 East 6th Street Glenwood Springs, CO 8160, Phone: 970-947-2955
Glenwood Canyon Bike Trail
The Glenwood Canyon Bike Trail is Glenwood Canyon’s longest trail, running 14.4 miles along the entire length of the canyon. The trail is a paved, easy one and is consequently popular amongst visitors and locals alike. If it gets too crowded or you simply need a rest, make use of the trail’s rest area amenities such as picnic areas and fishing access points.
The canyon has many wildlife residents, which you may see en route along the trail. If you would like to do the trail one way, both Glenwood Adventure Company and Colorado Mountain Express run shuttles from Glenwood Springs.
1308 County Road 129, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601,
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park
The Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is a family friendly amusement park situated at the summit of Iron Mountain. The park offers a huge assortment of attractions, including rides that offer stunning views of the Colorado River and surrounding mountains. Forty minute long cave tours for people of almost all ages and fitness levels are offered throughout the day.
The park also has a 4D motion theater, Old West style laser tag, and a 32-foot climbing wall. Revisit the Wild West courtesy of the blacksmith shop, a few costumed photos in Silk’s Saloon Olde Tyme Photos, or one of the park’s daily performances.
51000 Two Rivers Plaza Road, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601, Phone: 970-945-4228
Grizzly Creek Trail
Grizzly Creek Trail runs 3.4 miles one way and starts at Grizzly Creek rest area in Glenwood Canyon. The trail is categorized as moderate, which makes it one of the easier trails in the area, and is open from April until November. With Grizzly Creek accessible at several spots along the trail, the path is ideal for enjoying a peaceful walk to the soundtrack of flowing water.
The creek becoming narrower as you move up the canyon, and along the trail you’ll find abundant plant life, including fruit, pine and spruce trees, wildflowers, and berries. Walking with your dog on a leash is permitted.
White River National Forest office, 900 Grand Avenue, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601, Phone: 970-945-2521
Smoke Modern BBQ
Founder and chef Jame Theriot created Smoke Modern BBQ to give guests a contemporary take on barbeque. The restaurant’s menus (brunch, lunch, and dinner) reflect this concern with updating classics. Smoke offerings include starters, salads, mac’n cheese features, smoked BBQ plates, sandwiches and burgers, while seafood, steak, and dessert selections are available at dinner time.
Try beginning your meal with fried pickles or Southern fried okra before moving on to a BLT salad or smoked pulled chicken sandwich. Add-ons are available for most menu categories, and the restaurant has both a drinks and a bourbon & whisky menu. Smoke also offers a catering menu with barbeque and all-American classics for your next home, office, or family gathering.
713 Grand Ave, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601, Phone: 970-230-9796
Glenwood Adventure Company
Glenwood Adventure Company offers both water and land-based activities for all ages, including white water rafting, paddle boating, horseback riding, off-roading (unimog, ATV, segway), paragliding, ziplining, hiking, and more. Glenwood Adventure also does rentals, be it snow sport equipment, small watercrafts, or bikes. Rafting packings are either a half day or full day, and a family rafting package is available.
Whether horseback riding or off-roading is your type of adventure, Bair Ranch operates as your home base; off-roading is available in 2, 2.5, and 3-hour options, while horseback riding packages can run anywhere from 1 hour through 4 hours, with 3 and 4-hour packages including a cowboy meal. Overnight adventures are also available.
3330 S Glen Ave, Glenwood Springs, CO, Phone: 970-945-7529
Hanging Lake Trail
Hanging Lake Trail is an extremely popular 3.2-mile trail that follows Grizzly Creek up to Hanging Lake. The hike crosses over seven bridges and is a steep climb, but there is shade from the trail’s lush vegetation, plus handrails and benches along the way to make the trip easier.
The altitude and climb make the trail a good workout, and Hanging Lake provides its own motivation, since you won’t regret the walk once you view the lake perched on the cliffs over Glenwood Canyon. The path gives ample opportunity to see local flora and fauna, and at the lake, you can enjoy the vistas of not only the clifftop but also two waterfalls.
900 Grand Avenue, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601, Phone: 970-945-2521
Storm King Mountain Trail
On July 6, 1994, fourteen firefighters lost their lives fighting the Southern Canyon fire. The Storm King Mountain Trail commemorates those fourteen individuals and invites you walk the path followed by the firefighters during their life-ending ordeal. Hiking the trail replicates the experience of walking into a wildfire zone, and it is certainly challenging; the path is steep and mainly exposed with tough footing in spots.
Visitors should carry adequate amounts of water and stay on the trail, which runs along a 2.9 mile loop. The path is not only used for hiking, as it is also a nature trip and birding destination. The trail is open from April until November. Storm King Mountain, Colorado 81601, (970) 328-6388 (Phone number is for East Ranger District, United States Department of Agriculture)
50770 Seminole Dr., Cabazon, CA 92230, Phone: 951-922-8700
Whitewater Rafting
Whitewater Rafting offers rafting adventures on the Colorado River and the Roaring Fork River, which are local to Glenwood Springs. Choose from packages ranging from “Short and Mild” to full day and extreme. Half day trips cover the Shoshone rapids and Glenwood Canyon, while full day trips include the half day itinerary plus twice as many water miles, a hot lunch, and breaks for swimming and sun worshipping.
The Short & Mild package floats along the river and is ideal for those not interested in getting wet. Whitewater’s double trips cover the rapids twice and offer big-time excitement. Private raft trips rentals also available, with a raft dedicated to your party until end of day.
2000 Devereux Road, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601, Phone: 970-945-8477
Glenwood Canyon Brew Pub
Located in the historic Hotel Denver, the Glenwood Canyon Brew Pub features beer that’s hand-crafted at Glenwood Brewing Company, Glenwood Springs’ hometown brewery. The pub carries award-winning beers on its Standard and Frequent lists and offers a solid menu of American and international pub fare to pair with your libations.
Food options include starters, pub favorites, soups, salads, sandwiches, and burgers, and Glenwood Canyon Brew Pub prides itself on creating a memorable dining experience with artful plating and fresh ingredients.
402 7th Street Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81601, Phone: 970-945-1276
Iron Mountain Hot Springs
Long before the first intrepid settlers came to Colorado, the local Ute Indian tribes were well acquainted with the healing powers of the hot mineral waters in the area. The first Hot Springs Pool opened in 1888, endeavoring to attract wealthy visitors. Today visitors can relax, unwind and rejuvenate body and mind in their choice of 16 geothermal hot pools at the Iron Mountain Hot Springs. The various pools are terraced on a hillside overlooking the Colorado River. Each of the soaking pools is kept at a different temperature – you can try them all to see which one you prefer. After your hot springs experience you and the whole family can have fun in the fresh-water family pool.
Iron Mountain Hot Springs, 281 Centennial Street, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601, 970 945 4766
Frontier Historical Museum
The Frontier Historical Museum is a small house museum which preserves and showcases an interesting collection of artifacts and memorabilia which tell the story of the early pioneer days in Glenwood Springs. The Victorian style house was built in 1905 and is fully furnished with period pieces of furniture and many typical household necessities. Displays tell the story of the Ute Indians who originally inhabited this area and their connection to the county. You will learn about early mining and cattle ranching and about the history of the Hot Mineral Springs. To really experience the rich history of Glenwood Springs you can join the very popular annual Ghost Walk.
Frontier Historical Museum, 1001 Colorado Ave, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601, 970 945 4448
Sayre Park
The land on which Sayre Park now stands was donated to the city by James Sayre in the 1940’s, on condition that it would always be used as a recreational park. The park is located in the heart of the city and has become a very popular green space for locals and visitors. Recreational facilities include volley ball, basket ball and baseball fields, 2 tennis courts, a large open grassy space for ball games, children’s playground and horse shoe pitch. There is currently a large project underway to upgrade the park’s facilities and to add some much-needed landscaping. You can bring along a picnic to enjoy at the picnic tables and grills.
Sayre Park (aka Strawberry Park), 1702 Grand Ave, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601, 970 384 6301
Sunlight Mountain Resort
The often-overlooked Sunlight Mountain Resort is a fun and affordable ski resort where locals in the know come to enjoy family-friendly skiing and snowboarding. Located just 10 miles from Glenwood Springs, the resort boasts 700 skiable acres and a fabulous 67 intermediate runs which means that most skiers can choose a new run every day. There are also good beginner runs and, daredevils can take on the resorts’ double black diamond runs on the East Ridge. Other winter activities include Nordic Skiing, Snowmobiling and snow shoeing. In the summer you can enjoy great hiking, biking and disc golf. There is a ski shuttle to Glenwood Springs during the winter season.
Sunlight Mountain Resort, 10901 Co Rd 117, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601, 970 945 7491
Glenwood Vaudeville Revue
The Glenwood Vaudeville Revue brings great entertainment to Glenwood Springs and the greater Roaring Fork Valley. The 2-hour dinner show is designed to entertain the entire family with comedy, music, dancing and other live acts which are suitable for all ages. Each show kicks off with a delicious supper which is provided by neighborhood restaurants. There is a special children’s menu and a full bar is available. Once everyone has enjoyed their dinner the curtain rises on the night’s performance which is sure to get the whole family laughing. The professional actors add new material each year so that each and every show is fresh and funny.
Glenwood Vaudeville Review, 915 Grand Ave, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601, 970 945 9699
Yampah Spa and Vapor Caves
Your visit to Glenwood Springs would be incomplete without visiting the famous Yampah Spa and Vapor Caves. These vapor cave and the hot spring waters of the area have been providing health benefits for more than 128 years. The vapor caves are natural underground steam baths which were formed millions of years ago when the Colorado River cut through the mountains. The Vapor Caves are fuelled by the natural hot waters and are believed to offer a variety of health benefits. Besides soaking and steaming, visitors to the Yampah Spa can avail themselves of an impressive list of spa treatments including facials, massages, nail treatments and more.
Yampah Spa and Vapor Caves, 709 E. 6th Street, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601, 970 945 0667
Juicy Lucy’s Steakhouse
Juicy Lucy’s Steakhouse is conveniently located in the heart of historic downtown Glenwood Springs, where it occupies a landmark building that dates back to the late 1800’s. The restaurant prides itself on serving only the finest locally-sourced natural meats and vegetables and the freshest sustainably sourced fish and sea foods; the outstanding quality of the ingredients is reflected in the flavors and tenderness of the dishes. The daily specials are always seasonal and ingredient-driven. Just a few of their signature dishes include the Chocolate Mousse Pie and their succulent steak, lamb and elk dishes. There is also an extensive wine list.
Juicy Lucy’s Steakhouse, 308 7th Street, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601, 970 945 4619
Glenwood Escape Rooms
In keeping with the growing nationwide fascination with escape rooms, Glenwood Escape Room offers visitors the opportunity to harness your brain power and pit your wits against their carefully conceived escape rooms. You and your partner, family or team will have one hour to take on the challenge of your selected nightmare room. It will be up to you to unravel all the clues and solve all the puzzles in order to make your escape within the allotted time. You can choose from 3 themed rooms – Christmas Chaos, The Serial Doctor or The Elevator. You can book your room online.
Glenwood Escape Rooms, 923 Cooper Ave, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601, 970 945 7529
