15 Unique Things To Do In Glenwood Springs

Colorado’s Rockies are a magical year-round destination. As frequent visitors from within Colorado, we love taking advantage of the many unique things to do in Glenwood Springs. And although a smaller town, it’s packed with cool experiences for visitors.

Where else can you combine natural mineral hot springs with hiking through prehistoric canyons, cave spa, festivals, and mountain top adventure parks?

Glenwood Springs attractions and activities suit all budgets. You can find a good choice of accommodation, family-friendly restaurants, happy hour bars & a range of places to eat. Oh, and the ‘wild western’ vibe downtown is fun!

This post will help you to plan a stay in Glenwood Springs, whether for a day or a week. We hope our suggested activities, local insights & travel tips inspire a perfect itinerary.

Glenwood Springs Attractions

Enjoy browsing through these unique Glenwood Springs activities to get ideas for a fun mountain trip!

1. Soak In Unique Glenwood Hot Springs

We first sank into these hot mineral waters about 15 years ago and love returning as it is such a relaxing Glenwood Springs activity.

The huge pool is fed from fresh Yampah Springs waters, where over 3 million gallons flow out daily. The biggest pool at the resort holds 1 million+ gallons.

The original first pool was installed in 1888! Today, there are 7 pools to choose from, the newest being 5 smaller pools that transition to adult-only after dark.

A hot springs day pass means you can come and go, so you can come earlier in the day, then head out for an adventure elsewhere and return at night.

When the pool is lit up at night, it’s beautiful and it’s hard to believe you are in the centre of town.

Kids will love the new Sopris Splash zone area and the various dive boards.

This is also where you can come for a workout – just buy a pass that includes this option. You can access the gym directly from the pool area.

2. Take The Gondola To Caverns Adventure Park

An adventure park at over 7,000 elevation? This is a ‘don’t miss’ and another one of the most unique things to do in Glenwood Springs.

This is going to be such a hit with kids. Getting to the park means taking a gondola ride with fantastic views over the western slope mountains.

Once atop, you have so many rides and activities to choose from, including an alpine coaster, cave tours, a Defiance roller coaster, a Giant Swing, and a Zip line.

The main coaster is pretty new (2022) and it whisks you straight down a steep mountainside. Along with a massive swing, this park has plenty of thrills for older kids and adults too.

Stroll around and check out the mountain trolls like Halvor and the old mining town exhibits. Music on the Mountain concerts run during summer Saturdays from 6-9 pm, and all are family-friendly.

The cafe restaurant has shaded seating with fantastic views while you enjoy a snack and refreshments.

3. Relax at Iron Mountain Hot Springs

Iron Mountain Hot Springs is all about offering a more intimate mineral water soaking experience with a cap on guest numbers permitted.

It’s more expensive than the main town springs, but if you’re here as a couple or group of adults, we say don’t miss a soak.

Iron Mountain Hot Springs has a total of 32 pools of varying sizes, water temperatures, and some are for 21+ only. Enjoy frozen drinks at their cafe when you need a break from the pools.

There are different types of passes depending on how long you want to linger. The landscape with waterfalls makes it a beautiful aesthetic, along with mountain views all around.

You can travel the world as you soak in their themed pools replicating the likes of Blue Lagoon, Iceland, Japan, to name a few.

4. Rejuvenate at Yampa Spa & Vapor Caves

If you love the idea of a more rustic sauna, this is for you! As the only natural vapor cave in the USA, Yampa Spa & Vapor Caves is one of the best unique things to experience in Glenwood Springs.

This is one for teens vs younger kids as the minimum age is 13, but we’re sure they will love it as the whole experience feels like an underground adventure.

After changing into swimwear in the locker rooms upstairs, head down the stairs into a series of rugged mineral-rich caves, steaming with water vapors.

There are benches to relax on, and you’re going to sweat and fast! It’s dark when you first enter, and expect some rough flooring as it is a stone cave!

The regular tickets are good for 2 hours, so you can come up and return to the caves when you want to during this time. Take a break to relax on the loungers in the spa area, where there is complimentary fresh drinking water and snacks for sale.

Book ahead, especially for weekends, as space is limited in the cave.

In addition to the cave experience, you can enjoy a massage, facial and a range of other treatments here.

If you have a treatment, the vapor cave is free. Having done this, we can understand why the Ute people viewed the caves as sacred and restorative.

5. Hike Hanging Lake Trail – White River Forest

Yippee!! This National Natural Landmark reopened in July 2025 after being closed for repairs and restoration work.

This is another natural wonder of Colorado, thanks to Mother Nature creating an incredible cliff edge where Spouting Falls drop 200 feet into the lake.

They operate a strict reservation system, so you must apply for a Hanging Lake Trail Permit for a time slot before you arrive.

Although this hike is short – 1.2m (1.9 km), it is strenuous with rocks, steep inclines, so come prepared.

You’re going to gain 1200 feet elevation during the climb, and it probably is not great for little kids.

6. Glenwood Springs Floating The Rivers

Glenwood Canyon has created a wealth of outdoor playground fun, and floating the river is a great activity for families. Spend a few hours on a scenic canyon gentle float.

If you like a little more wave action, there are white water thrills, tubing, and SUP rentals so you can pick whatever takes your fancy. The rapid classifications are from 1-5. Guides will help you decide which is best when booking your tour.

For whitewater rafting on the Colorado and Roaring Fork Rivers, choose from half or all day trips.

7. Hike In-Town Trails

There are a ton of multi-use trails around Glenwood Springs, which are perfect for hiking or mountain biking in summer.

If you are here in the winter months, try snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. There is no fee to use these trails.

Grab yourself a FREE trail map from the Glenwood Springs Visitors Center or check these out on AllTrails App.

• Wulfsohn Mountain Park Trails – a selection of loops that are around a mile each, with a total of 4 miles. Park at Glenwood Meadows Shopping Center.
• Doc Holliday Grave & Hiking Trail takes you to Linwood Cemetery, where you’ll find a memorial to the town’s infamous Doc! Steeper but shorter hike.
• Red Mountain Trail System connects to Wulfsohn Trails via Olsen Trail, giving you more choices of pathways to enjoy.
• For great high rim views, Scout Trail is popular connecting to Lookout Mountain Road and others, a little south of the main town.

8. Explore Glenwood Canyon Rec Trail By Bike

If you are coming here by road from Denver, you’re in for a treat as the drive through the 12.5-mile-long Glenwood Canyon is simply stunning.

Get your bikes ready, and you can join this trail from town and pedal as far as you feel like on this 16.3-mile (one-way) route. It’s used by walkers and dog walkers (on leash) too, and is a beautiful ride even just for a few miles.

During your stay, you can come back here for rafting and hiking activities, as it’s fairly close to town. Grizzly Creek Trail No Name and Jess Weaver Trail, all run by the river with great canyon views as you walk.

The starting point of the trail is just up from Yampah Spa & Vapor Caves in town.

Or for a more challenging ride, pick any of the trails from town, checking with the Visitor Center in case of closures due to maintenance work.

9. Take a Guided Fly Fishing Trip

Did you know there are over 2 million acres of nature around Glenwood Springs, making this pristine countryside ideal for outdoor activities like fishing.

Local rivers and streams have abundant fish stocks, especially trout. Parts of the Roaring Fork and Frying Pan rivers are ‘Gold Medal’ quality fly fishing zones, but you can fish on the Colorado and Crystal rivers too.

We recommend taking a local fishing guide like Glenwood Springs Outdoors because, having tried fly fishing several times, it’s much harder than it looks.

They will teach you how to cast either from the water’s edge, wading (standing in the water), or floating the river in a boat as you fish. Most are catch and release, and a guide will take care of the required fishing license for you.

If you fancy bringing your fishing gear, just head to the Parks and Wildlife Site (see Info box above) for all you need to know about where to go & when.

10. Glenwood Springs Tandem Paragliding

Do you have paragliding on your bucket list? Well, it’s possible to tick this one off while you’re visiting Glenwood Springs.

Not something we’re brave enough to do (yet!), but Adventure Paragliding have run their Roaring Fork Valley flights daily, between May and October, for 20+ years.

You won’t jump off alone, but in tandem with a certified pilot. As you soar through the valley, breathe in fresh mountain air before eventually landing beside Stubler Memorial Field.

11. Play A Round of Disc Golf

For some fun on a summer’s evening, why not try the disc golf course at the Spring Valley Campus, a few miles south of town.

It’s more challenging than you might imagine to get that disc around the 18-hole course, but a lovely way to stroll around and enjoy lighter nights.

You can either bring your discs or check out a set from the Quigley Library on Campus. It might be good to call in advance as the course can close when weather is poor or for occasional events.

Contact the Field House Recreation Center at 970-947-8193 or email cmcfieldhouse@coloradomtn.edu

If you are a more traditional golfer, there are a couple of options: Glenwood Springs Golf Club or Iron Bridge Golf Club.

12. Self-Guided Glenwood Springs Ghost Walk

If you’re coming here with kids or a group, this is another fun Glenwood Springs activity.

Download the ghost walk tour app and then make your way around town, discovering the most haunted spots, each with its characters and stories.

The tour also guides you to a couple of downtown bars where some of the larger than life ‘old western’ and mining era characters hung out.

Stop at Doc Holliday’s for a refreshment, and check out where President Roosevelt stayed in town. Discover why the teddy bear has such a connection to Glenwood Springs!

This is also a tour you can start, pause, and then come back to, so it’s a flexible way to step back in time and have a good time!

13. Enjoy The Arts, Festivals & Markets

Theatre. For some good family fun, grab your tickets and spend an evening at Glenville Vaudeville Revue Dinner Theatre. You will be entertained for 2 hours with a mix of skits, singing, dancing, and comedy. It runs Friday and Saturday at 6pm.

Festival. If you visit in June, don’t miss Strawberry Days held annually on the 3rd Friday/Saturday and Sunday of the month at Two Rivers Park. For the past 128 years, people have come together to celebrate local life and it has become a major festival.

Kids will love the free ice cream and strawberries, arts and crafts stalls, live music, and the parade.

Ghosts! If you’re October, the Glenwood Springs Historical Society and Frontier Museum hosts its annual Ghost Walk through Linwood Cemetery when the ghosts of Glenwood’s past return for a few evenings of entertainment and education

Markets. Stroll down town to enjoy stalls and with fresh food, crafts and entertainment. Tuesdays Farmers Market 7th Street (Colorado and Cooper Av) runs from June to September from 4-8pm.

14. Check out the Frontier Museum

If you enjoy history, spend an hour or so getting a glimpse into what life was like in 1905 by touring the local museum.

It’s actually a Victorian Home set up for life back then, and shares lots of information about mining and the Ute people lives.

You can also take a hike to visit Doc Holliday’s memorial and the spot where “Kid Curry’ is buried. He was part of Butch Cassidy’s outlaws in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

When you’re at the museum, you can pick up a leaflet with various historic points around town and check them out at your leisure.

15. Rooftop Drinks and Dinner

You can’t come to Glenwood Springs and not enjoy drinks or dinner on a rooftop!

On our very first visit 15 year ago, we had cocktails and dinner at Juicy Lucy’s and it’s still going strong. Super popular so make a reservation well in advance.

🛏️ Places to Stay

Our Glenwood Springs accommodation picks are based on location to main attractions, easy parking and value for money.

FAQs

Combine with Palisade: Wine Country

Colorado is full of surprises and after you have had fun in the hot springs of Glenwood, high elevation adventure parks and Doc Holiday haunts, why not keep going west?

The western slope with mesa cliffs is nothing like The Rockies range. Hillsides of vineyards and fruit trees combine to make Palisade a fantastic destination for 2-3 days.

Glenwood Springs – Making It Happen!

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