Kickstart your Colorado adventure by digging into all of the best things to do in Glenwood Springs, CO. Although lesser known than other tourist destinations in Colorado, the beautiful alpine city of Glenwood Springs is famous for its hot springs, mountain scenery, and outdoor adventures.
Explore unique landscapes on hikes like Grizzly Creek Trail and Hanging Lake Trail. Then get your heart racing at top tourist attractions like Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park and Sunlight Mountain Resort. Recover from your adventures at one of the area’s geothermal spas. Bathe in the Iron Mountain Hot Springs and descend into the steaming caves at Yampah Spa.
With so much wonder and so little time, how will you decide what to do? Start planning your grand Colorado journey with this complete guide to the best places to visit in Glenwood Springs, CO!
Got more travel plans on the horizon? Check out all our other attractions guides and our Colorado Travel Guide for more ideas on where to go, when to visit & what to do!
Best places to visit in Glenwood Springs, CO
Glenwood Hot Springs Pool
Soak in steaming bliss surrounded by mountain vistas at the Glenwood Hot Springs Pool, the world’s largest hot springs pool. With visitors coming for 130 years, these springs are also one of Colorado’s oldest tourist attractions. The natural water is rich in 15 healing minerals with a range of health benefits, from lowering blood pressure to helping your body eliminate toxins.
On your visit to Glenwood Hot Springs Pool, soak in the balmy waters, work out in the lap lanes, or laze in a cabana. No need to leave the pool if you’re hungry. Grab a tasty snack from the poolside grill. On offer are succulent burgers and crispy wraps.
If you want to get more out of your spa day, Glenwood Hot Springs Pool has an athletics club. Here you can play racquetball, pump some iron or take a yoga class. There’s a wet room, complete with a steam room, sauna, and hot tub to eliminate any lingering aches and pains.
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park
Reach exhilarating heights at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, the only mountain-top theme park in the United States. At an altitude of 7,100 feet, the park offers some of the most exciting thrill rides in Colorado.
Whizz down the mountain on the Alpine Coaster, as its 3,400 feet of track twists and turns you down the slope. This rollercoaster is unique as it allows you to control your speed. Go slow and take in the alpine scenery or pump up the speed to feel the wind whipping your face.
Other nail-biting rides at Glenwood Caverns include The Giant Canyon Swing, catapulting you into the air at 50mph, and the Soaring Eagle Zipline, which allows you to strap in with a buddy and fly like a bird over the Colorado High Country.
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park also houses natural wonders. Take a guided tour of the caves to discover stalactites, stalagmites, and cave bacon.
Doc Holliday’s Grave Trail
Delve into the history of a Glenwood Springs icon. Doc Holliday’s Grave Trail is a must-visit attraction while you’re in the area. The legendary outlaw & gunslinger is most known for his role in the O.K. Corral gunfight. Despite looking for a cure in the Glenwood Hot Springs, he died of tuberculosis in 1887.
Nobody knows exactly where he’s buried, but Doc Holliday’s Grave Trail is a seven-mile hiking trail that’ll take you to his grave marker in Linwood Cemetery. The steep path takes you up to pretty views of the surrounding mountains.
Wander around the lush green cemetery and spot other famous grave sites like Kid Curry’s and Frank Nash’s.
Iron Mountain Hot Springs
Soak in the Iron Mountain Hot Springs right on the bank of the Colorado River. Nothing beats the soothing feeling of sitting in a steamy bath surrounded by peaceful scenery. The 16 geothermal pools offer different temperatures and idyllic views of the Rocky Mountains.
Find the perfect temperature for you, with pools ranging from 98°F to 100°F. The Rejuvenation Station gives you opportunities for regular cooldowns. Iron Mountain Hot Spring’s newest pool uses mineral water recipes from the best hot springs in the world.
Come to Iron Mountain Hot Springs in the summer and feel the sun on your face as you gaze at rolling peaks against the blue skies. Visit in the winter for snowy scenery and a cold surprise when you jump out of the water.
Grizzly Creek Trail
Grizzly Creek Trail is one of the best hikes in Colorado. The 3.5-mile-long trail in Glenwood Canyon is quite challenging to many, with the elevation increasing from 5,900 feet to 7,700 feet at the top.
Imposing cliff edges look down on you as you make your way past climbing alpine forests, bubbling creeks, and peaceful meadows. There’s also a roaring waterfall and a secret glacier along the popular hiking trail.
On your way along Grizzly Creek Trail, spot wildlife like mule deer, mountain lions, and big horn sheep lurking in the bushes. You’ll know it’s time to turn around once you reach the edges of a crystal blue alpine lake.
Yampah Spa
Descend into the underground bliss of Yampah Spa. These hot spring vapor caves are brimming with natural minerals. Let sulfur, nitrate, zinc, and potassium sink into your pores. Yampah means ‘big medicine’ in Ute Indian, and people have flocked to these caves for healing for generations.
Yampah Spa has three toasty underground chambers with lots of nooks and crannies for you to sit and unwind. Release tension while sitting on the marble benches, then head to the cooling room and cold-water tubs to refresh.
Maximize the benefits of the caves with a range of extra spa treatments. Lay back in a therapeutic mineral bath or unleash tight muscles with massage and reiki treatments. Crystal and mountain mist facials will leave your skin glowing.
Glenwood Canyon Brewpub
Beer drinkers won’t go thirsty in these parts. Glenwood Canyon Brewpub is the only brewpub in Glenwood Springs. Choose from nine small-batch beers that are produced on-site.
The cozy setting is inside the historic Hotel Denver. Rustic brick walls and wooden furniture give Glenwood Canyon Brewpub an authentic mountain pub ambiance.
Sit under an umbrella on the stylish patio and watch people coming and going from the train station. The brewery has a selection of standard, premium, and niche beers to quench your appetite.
Play it safe with a light lager, or try the Grizzly Creek Raspberry Wheat, a tangy wheat beer made from real raspberries. There’s wine, spirits, and cocktails for non-beer lovers.
Alongside your drinks, chow down on a hearty food menu with favorites like wild game mac and short rib pot pie.
Hanging Lake Trail
Hanging Lake Trail takes you to one of the most beautiful things to see in Glenwood Springs. This popular trail is a 1.2-mile hike. It’s challenging and steep, but at the top, you’ll be rewarded with a green oasis. You need a reservation to hike here, so make sure you book in advance.
As you push your way up Hanging Lake Trail, take plenty of stops to take in the immense canyon below. Cross pretty bridges along mountain streams.
At the top, you’ll emerge into lush vegetation, turquoise green waters, and delicate waterfalls. The rare travertine geological formation creates sheer cliffs and cascades over the lake below.
It’ll feel like scenery from prehistoric times, with hanging garden plants dripping off jagged rocks and large trout weaving in the vivid waters.
Make sure to leave no trace at Hanging Lake. The delicate ecosystem is sensitive to the smallest of changes.
Sunlight Mountain Resort
Sunlight Mountain Resort is one of the most affordable places to ski in Colorado. Park for free at the base and take effortless lifts to uncrowded slopes. There are 72 trails leading back home again!
A great choice of family-friendly runs at Sunlight Mountain Resort and the quiet, relaxed atmosphere can leave fresh powder untouched for days. With 406 skiable acres, you’ll find plenty of pistes to fill your days. If you get bored, you can also rush across the slopes on a snowmobile or explore winter wonderlands with some snowshoeing.
The cozy mountain lodge at the base of Sunlight Mountain Resort has everything you need, including rentals, ski schools, and a restaurant. At the end of the day, have a debrief over a hot dinner before making your way home.
Frontier Historical Museum
Get into the past of Glenwood Springs at the Frontier Historical Museum. The historic house explores the heritage of the area and its most iconic figures. Knowledgeable history buffs are on hand to answer all your pressing questions.
Step into the 1905 Victorian house and enter a treasure cave of information. Once the home of the Ute Indians and secret hot springs, the city quickly became a home for the wealthy and a bustling tourist destination.
Outlaws, ranchers, and movie stars have all passed through Glenwood Springs. Explore it all at the Frontier Historical Museum through its fascinating artifacts and exhibits. A photo collection of 5,000 images, original furnishings, and maps from pioneers will transport you through the eras.
Glenwood Vaudeville Revue
Have dinner with a difference at the Glenwood Vaudeville Revue. The dinner theatre show has hilarious performers who will leave your belly sore from laughter. Regular rave reviews make this performance a unique way to spend an evening with guaranteed fun. The show changes every season, so you’ll get a fantastic experience each time you visit.
A type of entertainment originating from the 1800s, Glenwood Vaudeville Revue turns the struggles of our everyday lives into side-splitting amusement. Slapstick humor, mortifying songs, and audience improv will have you laughing so hard you might not be able to catch your breath long enough to eat your meal.
That would be a shame, though, since the menu includes dishes from Glenwood Springs’ favorite restaurants. An al-la-carte menu and full-service bar will leave your belly full of delicious food and drinks and your soul full of joy.
Art on 8th
Art on 8th is an art gallery supporting the intricate skill of local craftspeople and artists. The gallery is also the home of the Mountain Valley Weavers, a vocational weaving program that has transformed the careers of many local people. Over 40 different artists on display capture the artisanal essence of Glenwood Springs.
Throughout Art on 8th, you’ll find an eclectic mix of themes and mediums. Browse shimmering stoneware wind chimes, ghostly sculptures, and textured oil paintings begging to be touched. Colorful textiles will give you a new appreciation for handmade beauty.
While you’re here, shop for one-of-a-kind woven products in the store. Kitchen towels, tablecloths, and bed runners will serve as a warm memory when you return home.
If you’re feeling inspired, why not take a weaving class to learn how to create your own beautiful designs?
Two Rivers Park
Embrace nature in the idyllic Two Rivers Park. The 22-acre green space sits at the confluence of the Colorado and Roaring Fork Rivers. Keep everyone in your travel group occupied with a skate park, playground, and baseball field.
Laze out the flat green lawn surrounded by rolling hills. With access to the rushing Colorado River, Two Rivers Park is a wonderful place to connect with nature on a bicycle or on foot. Greet fishermen, kayakers, and paddlers as you make your way down.
The outdoor amphitheater at Two Rivers Park often hosts al fresco performances. Pack a picnic and eat at one of the picnic tables. Or spice things up by firing up the smoke on one of the barbeque grills.
Glenwood Whitewater Park
Chase the rush of the river at Glenwood Whitewater Park. The first man-made whitewater feature to reach the full width of the Colorado River, it’s the perfect spot for paddlers to show off their tricks. Throughout the year, flows range here from 4,000 to 22,000 cubic feet per second.
The crowning feature of Glenwood Whitewater Park is the G Wave, allowing you to stand up as you ride it. There’s also a hole on the left and an easier standing wave on the right.
If you’re new to the sport, you can practice in one of the learning pools to master your skills. Or, if you’d rather stay on land, you can sit back and watch the rest of your group riding the waves from the viewing point on the terrace
Iron Bridge Golf Club
Fine-tune your golf swing among alpine vistas at the Iron Bridge Golf Club. This 18-hole course has breathtaking views of Mount Sopris. Pristine courses are set among red cliffs, trickling rivers, and rolling hills.
If your family members or travel group doesn’t share your golfing obsession, there are lots of ways to keep them happy at Iron Bridge Golf Club. Stunning hiking and biking trails surround the area. On-site, there’s a fitness center, tennis courts, and a climbing wall.
Soak up the mountain scenery while floating away in the outdoor pool. The aquatic center has a kids’ pool, waterslide, and hot tub, perfect for relaxing as a family. Or enroll the kids in junior golf school so they can discover your passion for the sport.
Wrap up your day at Iron Bridge Golf Club in the elegant kitchen with exposed stonework and wrought iron details. Sip on a well-deserved drink or refuel with a snack from the modern American menu.
Stoneyard Distillery Tasting Room
Taste the flavors of Glenwood Springs at the Stoneyard Distillery Tasting Room. The distillery uses beet sugar to create small-batch spirits, liqueurs, and bitters. Sample them all in this fun tasting room.
Everything here is made from Rocky Mountain water and sugar beet sugar grown in Eastern Colorado. The main distillery for the Stoneyard Distillery Tasting Room sits on the ancient lava flow of the Dostero volcano. The vapor from the lava rock is used in the distillation process.
From ghost pepper infusions to horchata colada, discover a creative selection of tasty treats. The friendly staff will guide you through the menu and help you unleash their sensory delights. Make sure you try their Lucky-Oh rum, a blend of vanilla and coconut.
The Pullman
Wrap up your Glenwood Springs sightseeing with a tasty meal in The Pullman. The Downtown restaurant serves New American comfort food and an original choice of cocktails.
The cozy industrial space invites you to sit down and share your experiences with all the epic things to do in Glenwood Springs. Exposed concrete and communal tables give The Pullman a shabby chic feeling. Perch yourself beneath the wooden beams and twinkling lights and savor the delicious last meal of your vacation.
Start with the house fries drizzled in warm blue cheese. Then tuck into hearty pasta dishes or treat yourself to the wagyu burger. To wash it all down, try the s’mores cocktail, a smooth blend of marshmallow syrup and cocoa liqueur.
