Relax in hot springs or ski down snowy trails at this Colorado resort town that’s close to some of the best ski fields in the world.
Colorado’s Glenwood Springs is a popular vacation spot known for its natural surroundings and relaxed small-town atmosphere. Explore the area with outdoor activities such as paragliding, climbing or hiking, and then enjoy the town’s variety of restaurants, bars, shops and day spas.
Come during the summer to make the most of the area’s hiking and biking trails. Glenwood Canyon is lined with dozens of paths suitable for all experience levels. Follow the track along Dead Horse Creek to reach Hanging Lake, a small basin that appears to be suspended over the cliffs below. Rent a kayak or canoe, or join a rafting tour to explore the Colorado River. Paddlers from all over the world come to experience the manmade Glenwood Springs Whitewater Park, which runs alongside the river.
Enjoy a variety of sports in Glenwood Springs during the snow season, which usually runs from November through March. The town is less than an hour’s drive from six world-renowned ski mountains including Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Vail, Buttermilk, Snowmass and Beaver Creek. Visit nearby Sunlight Mountain Resort, a 470-acre (190-hectare) tract of land offering trails for skiers, snowboarders and snowshoers of all levels.
In any season, families will love Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, which features roller coasters, ziplines and other attractions set against a scenic backdrop. The park also offers walking tours of wide caves.
Also open year-round is the Glenwood Hot Springs Pool. Watch the kids play on the slides as you relax in the warm mineral-rich water, or swim a few laps in the “big pool,” which is the length of a football field.
Highways run directly through Glenwood Springs and connect the town with nearby cities. The town is less than an hour from Aspen’s airport. There’s an Amtrak Station with services from San Francisco to Chicago, and a Greyhound bus station. Glenwood Springs has a condensed downtown so it’s easy to get around this area on foot. For daytrips, it’s best to rent a car.