Glenwood Springs City
Colorado town with geothermal hot springs
Hot springs smoke over the town; Glenwood Springs markets its iron‑rich pools, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, whitewater rafting and nearby hiking, drawing skiers and summer travelers alike.
Why Visit Glenwood Springs?#
Nestled at the confluence of the Colorado River and canyon walls, Glenwood Springs is known for its thermal pools and easy access to mountain hikes. Soak in the historic Glenwood Hot Springs Pool or try the more intimate Iron Mountain Hot Springs, and plan a day trip to Hanging Lake’s clear waters and falls. A blend of wellness, outdoor adventure and riverfront dining offers both relaxation and activity.
Best Things to Do in Glenwood Springs#
Glenwood Springs Bucket List#
Glenwood Hot Springs Pool - Soak in historic, large mineral hot springs pool beside the Colorado River.
Hanging Lake - Hike to turquoise lake and waterfalls along a steep, regulated boardwalk trail.
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park - Ride cave tours and thrill rides perched on the mountain above town.
Yampah Vapor Caves - Relax inside natural geothermal steam-filled caves downtown since the late 19th century.
Doc Holliday gravesite at Linwood Cemetery - Visit famed Old West figure’s grave and scenic cemetery views.
Two Rivers Park & Riverwalk - Easy riverfront strolls and picnic spots where the Roaring Fork meets the Colorado.
Aspen and Maroon Bells - Drive over Glenwood Canyon to upscale Aspen and iconic Maroon Bells wilderness area.
Roaring Fork Valley scenic drives - Explore small towns like Carbondale and Basalt along river, farms, and galleries.
Best Time to Visit Glenwood Springs#
Aim for late spring or early fall for comfortable hiking, hot springs and fewer crowds. Summers are lively and warm with river activities; winters bring snow and a quieter mountain vibe.
December - February
-6-6°C (21-43°F)
Snowy mountain backdrop, hot springs open and magical; shorter daylight and icy roads can complicate drives-pack chains and thermal layers.
March - May
2-18°C (36-64°F)
Variable shoulder season: late snow or early warmth, great for quieter hiking and lower prices before summer crowds arrive regularly.
June - August
10-32°C (50-90°F)
Warm, sunny days perfect for rafting on the Colorado, biking and alpine hikes; expect busy weekends and popular outdoor events.
Glenwood Springs's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -13°C to 29°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 2°C and lows of -13°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
February
February is freezing with highs of 5°C and lows of -11°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
March
March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
April
April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
May
May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 2°C. The wettest month with 40 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
June
June is cool with highs of 26°C and lows of 6°C. The driest month with just 29 mm.
Comfort
Weather
July
July is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (32 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
August
August is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
September
September is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm).
Comfort
Weather
October
October is cold with highs of 17°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
November
November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -7°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
December
December is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -13°C. The wettest month with 40 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
How to Get to Glenwood Springs#
Glenwood Springs is well served by rail, road and nearby regional airports. The California Zephyr Amtrak stop is a convenient and scenic rail option; for flexibility, driving or regional shuttles from Denver, Eagle or Grand Junction work well.
Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE): Eagle (Vail area) is the closest commercial airport with seasonal flights; driving time to Glenwood Springs is about 1-1.5 hours (depending on winter conditions), and rental cars or shuttle transfers are the usual options.
Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT): Grand Junction is another practical option with more year‑round service; it’s about a 1-1.5 hour drive to Glenwood Springs by car.
Denver International Airport (DEN): Denver is the major hub serving the region. Driving time to Glenwood Springs on I‑70 is roughly 3-3.5 hours (longer in winter). Rental cars and regional shuttle services operate on this corridor.
Train (Amtrak): Glenwood Springs has an Amtrak station served by the California Zephyr (Denver-Chicago-San Francisco route). Travel time from Denver to Glenwood Springs on the Zephyr is typically ~3.5-4.5 hours depending on schedule; fares vary by booking class but you can often find one-way fares in the USD 30-80 range.
Bus / Bustang: Colorado’s Bustang (West Line) and other regional bus operators provide scheduled connections along I‑70 that include Glenwood Springs; travel time from Denver is about 3-4 hours and fares are generally lower than Amtrak (typical fares in the USD 15-35 range).
How to Get Around Glenwood Springs#
Glenwood Springs is best accessed by rail (Amtrak) for a scenic, comfortable trip or by car for flexibility. Regional airports plus shuttles offer a middle ground for travelers who prefer flying.
- Amtrak California Zephyr (USD 30-80) - The California Zephyr stops at Glenwood Springs station and is one of the most scenic rail trips in the U.S. Book early for lower fares; Denver-Glenwood travel time is about 3.5-4.5 hours. Trains are comfortable but run on a fixed schedule.
- Rental car / Driving (USD 40+/day (rental)) - Driving I‑70 to Glenwood Springs provides maximum flexibility for visiting hot springs, ski areas and trailheads. From Denver expect about 3-3.5 hours; winter road conditions can add time and require chains or AWD. Rental prices vary by season.
- Regional airport + shuttle (USD 25-60 (shuttle)) - Eagle County (EGE) and Grand Junction (GJT) both offer shuttle and rental-car options to Glenwood Springs. Shuttles are convenient but should be reserved in advance especially in peak seasons; drive times are around 1-1.5 hours from either airport.
- Bus (Bustang / intercity) (USD 15-35) - Bustang West Line and private intercity coaches serve Glenwood Springs from Denver and other towns along I‑70. Buses are generally cheaper than Amtrak and reasonably frequent; expect 3-4 hours from Denver depending on service and stops.
- Local transit / taxi (USD 3-30) - Once in town, local buses, taxis and shuttles connect the downtown, hot springs, ski areas and trailheads. Services are frequent in peak seasons but can be limited off-peak; taxis are useful for airport transfers or late-night trips.
- Walking - Glenwood Springs’ downtown and the hot springs area are compact and very walkable; walking is often the fastest way to move between main attractions in town.
Where to Stay in Glenwood Springs#
Downtown / Near Main - $50-120/night
Hostel beds and no-frills motels; ideal for outdoor-focused travelers on a budget.
Glenwood Springs Hostel - Dorms and private rooms, social kitchen.
Red Mountain Motel - Basic rooms, budget-friendly near downtown.
Riverside / Downtown - $140-250/night
Well-located hotels with full amenities and good access to hot springs and trailheads.
Hotel Colorado - Historic hotel with comfortable, full-service rooms.
Hotel Indigo Glenwood Springs - Modern rooms, close to shops and dining.
Near Hot Springs Pool - $250+/night
Resort and spa properties centered on the famous hot springs; pricier but convenient for relaxation.
Glenwood Hot Springs Resort - Large thermal pool and resort-style rooms.
The Springs Resort & Spa (private rentals) - Spa-focused stays and premium suites.
Where to Eat in Glenwood Springs#
After soaking in the springs, locals favor riverside casual spots, brewpubs and seasonal New American menus in town.
- The Pullman - Seasonal New American dishes, local produce.
- Glenwood Canyon Brewpub - Local craft beers with pub-style fare.
- Hotel Colorado - 1893 Grill - Classic American plates near downtown.
Casual grills and taverns serve burgers, barbecue and comfort food popular with families and visitors.
- Eagle County Barbecue - Smoked meats and hearty sides.
- Juicy Lucy’s (local burger spot) - Burgers and comfort sandwiches.
- Sherman Street Tavern - Local tavern with classic pub dishes.
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Glenwood Springs’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Glenwood Springs#
Shopping is centered on Grand Avenue with outdoor outfitters, local boutiques and gear shops that cater to visitors heading to the river and nearby trails. You’ll also find a handful of galleries and specialty food stores in town.
Nightlife in Glenwood Springs#
Nightlife is relaxed: brewpubs, casual bars and occasional live music venues host evenings rather than high‑energy clubs. It’s the kind of town where après activities and music at local pubs are the main options.
