Some places preserve history behind glass. Others, like Colorado’s Glenwood Hot Springs Resort invite you to experience it.
Glenwood Hot Springs Resort’s 138 years of history in Glenwood Springs has welcomed visitors seeking relaxation, wellness and adventure in the heart of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Since opening on July 4, 1888, the resort has become one of Colorado’s most recognizable destinations, where historic architecture, naturally heated mineral waters and modern hospitality come together to create unforgettable moments.
Today, guests can stay in Hotel 1888 located in the historic Stone Bath House, enjoy contemporary wellness amenities and soak in the same mineral-rich waters that have attracted people for centuries.
As Colorado celebrates 150 years of statehood and America salutes 250 years, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the history of Glenwood Hot Springs Resort.
The Story of These Healing Hot Springs Begins Long Before 1888
The history of Glenwood Hot Springs Resort’s on-site Yampah Source Spring begins long before the Grand Pool opened in 1888.
For centuries, the Ute people revered these geothermal waters, calling them Yampah, meaning “Big Medicine.” They recognized the place as a healing hot springs for renewal and peace; a legacy that continues today.
The mineral water rises naturally from Yampah Spring at approximately 122°F, emerging from deep underground before flowing into the resort’s pools. Every day, more than 3.5 million gallons of fresh mineral water feed the pools, making this one of the largest natural hot springs systems in the world.
In 1860, explorer Captain Richard Sopris and his survey team reached the springs after hearing stories of their remarkable healing qualities. Their visit gradually led to what would eventually become one of Colorado’s most celebrated destinations.
Building a World-Class Resort
Recognizing the extraordinary potential of the healing hot springs, developers Walter Devereux and his brothers purchased the property in 1880 with an ambitious vision: to build one of America’s finest health resorts.
Eight years later, that vision became reality. On July 4, 1888, the Grand Pool officially opened, immediately establishing Glenwood Springs as a premier destination for travelers seeking wellness, recreation and the fresh mountain air of Colorado.
Just two years later, in 1890, the magnificent Stone Bath House opened at a cost of approximately $100,000. Designed by Austrian architect Theodore von Rosenberg, the impressive building featured Roman vapor baths, physicians’ offices, a gymnasium, reading rooms, parlors and 44 private bathing rooms, making it one of the most sophisticated spa facilities in the American West. Walter Devereux went on to open the neighboring Hotel Colorado and Yampah Vapor Caves (now Yampah Spa and Vapor Caves) in 1893.
During the early 1900s, when mineral spas flourished across the country, Glenwood Hot Springs Resort earned the nickname “Spa of the Rockies,” attracting visitors from around the world to its healing hot springs.
A Resort That Has Traversed History
Like much of America, Glenwood Hot Springs Resort’s history includes extraordinary moments throughout the 20th century.
From 1943 through 1946, during World War II, the resort along with neighboring Hotel Colorado temporarily closed to the public to serve as a U.S. Naval Convalescent Hospital, helping wounded servicemen recover. It remains the only time in the resort’s history that guests could not enjoy the famous pools.
As travel evolved, so did the resort. A major master plan introduced in 1970 modernized the property with improved filtration systems, a children’s wading pool, waterslides and miniature golf, ensuring Glenwood Hot Springs Resort remained one of Colorado’s premier family destinations.
Honoring History Through Thoughtful Innovation
One reason the history of Glenwood Hot Springs Resort has endured for nearly 140 years is continued local ownership and the commitment to honoring history while continually improving the guest experience.
While there has been lodging in the Stone Bath House over the years, the opening of the 107-room Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge in 1986 gave visitors the convenience of staying an easy walk across the street to the pools. A full-service Athletic Club was introduced in the 1980s.
- Since 2019, the resort has invested in a new generation of amenities that build upon its historic foundation.
- The family-focused Sopris Splash Zone opened in 2019, introducing exciting water features for all ages to enjoy like a splash pad that turns into the lighted Grand Fountain at night; Shoshone Chutes river tube ride; and a swim and play area for younger kids that features a waterfall, three small slides and more.
- In 2022, the Therapy Pool and bathhouse facilities underwent a significant renovation, creating an even more comfortable and modern wellness experience.
- The opening of the Yampah Mineral Baths in 2024 featuring five pools of varying temperatures (including two cold plunges) and a gas fireplace to lounge around continued the resort’s wellness tradition by offering guests another way to experience the restorative qualities of the famous mineral waters.
- A complete refresh of all the Lodge at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort’s 107 guest rooms and suites introduced a mountain modern look and wrapped up in early 2025.
- One of the most exciting chapters in 2025 was the debut of Hotel 1888. Located inside the poolside Stone Bath House, this boutique luxury hotel with 16 guest rooms blends 19th-century architecture with contemporary design, offering guests an elegant way to experience one of Colorado’s most historic buildings.
The World’s Largest Hot Springs Pool
The centerpiece of the resort remains as remarkable today as it was on opening day. The Grand Pool stretches approximately 405 feet long and 100 feet wide, holding more than one million gallons of naturally heated mineral water maintained between 90° and 94°F.
Nearby, the Therapy Pool offers soothing waters around 104°F, while the five Yampah Mineral Baths pools and other wellness spaces provide experiences for every type of traveler.
What hasn’t changed is the water itself. Every drop begins its journey in Yampah Source Spring, continuing a natural cycle that has been flowing for thousands of years at this healing hot springs.
Colorado History You Can Experience
Unlike many historic landmarks, Glenwood Hot Springs Resort isn’t simply a place to visit—it’s a place to experience. Guests can sleep in a beautifully restored historic building, soak in the same mineral waters that generations before them enjoyed, explore one of Colorado’s most iconic mountain towns, and finish the day with modern comforts that today’s travelers expect.
It’s this balance of preservation and innovation that makes the history of Glenwood Hot Springs Resort unique. History isn’t frozen in time here. It’s something you become part of.
Write Your Own Chapter
From the Ute people who first recognized the healing power of Big Medicine and Victorian-era travelers arriving by rail to today’s guests enjoying Hotel 1888 and Yampah Mineral Baths, Glenwood Hot Springs Resort has always been a place of renewal.
More than 138 years after opening its doors, the resort continues to welcome new generations while staying true to the mission that has guided it throughout its history: make people feel better.
Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a wellness retreat or a family vacation, there’s no better place to experience Colorado’s rich heritage while enjoying the comforts of a world-class modern resort.
Come discover why Glenwood Hot Springs Resort has remained one of Colorado’s most beloved destinations since 1888 and become part of the next chapter in its remarkable story.
