It’s that time of year again when kids and young adults head back to school. For those with a later start date, it’s a good chance to sneak in a last hurrah in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, before classroom time, homework and extracurricular activities dictate when free hours are available. Or perhaps it is a weekend family getaway to help ease back into the school routine.
On the flip side of the coin, if you are an empty nester or don’t have kids, school being back in session translates into major advantages of hot springs getaways in the fall, especially at the world’s largest hot springs pool at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort. Weekdays are extremely peaceful, allowing guests to luxuriate in the resort’s seven pools (including the five new pools that are part of Yampah Mineral Baths), rent a cabana for the ultimate in relaxation, and come and go as they please throughout the day and evening.
Plus, Colorado’s high country offers amazing temperatures in late August through fall and spectacular leaf peeping from around mid-September to mid-October. Fly into airports that are near Glenwood Springs—Aspen/Pitkin County Regional Airport, Eagle County Regional Airport in Gypsum and Grand Junction Regional Airport—or consider Amtrak from Denver Union Station if you want to watch the majestic scenery roll by.
Enjoy the peace and packages
After Labor Day, it’s a great time to push reset with vacation days or a glorious staycation if you live nearby. While it might not work for everyone, that’s the point! Many times, it easier to secure reservations for lodging, dining and outdoor activities and there are less people on the miles and miles of hiking and biking trails.
Cycling on the 16-mile Glenwood Canyon Recreation Path to the east and from Glenwood Springs to Aspen on the paved Rio Grande Trail to the south is truly divine in autumn. Or hop in your car and see aspen trees in their golden glory on a scenic day drive up Independence Pass or to nearby Redstone or Marble. Afterwards, come back to Glenwood Hot Springs for a pre-or post-dinner soak or go big and do both!
Glenwood Hot Springs Resort’s packages make it easy and more affordable for fall getaways as they combine lodging, hot springs soaking, breakfast and an activity such as rafting, biking and theme park fun. The three packages mentioned below include 10% off the Lodge at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort’s room rate, made-to-order breakfast at the poolside Grill, and unlimited access to the pool during business hours.
The Colorado River supplies some of the state’s most spectacular river rafting excursions at various levels, especially as it weaves through Glenwood Canyon. Glenwood Hot Springs Resort’s Whitewater Adventure Package features a half-day rafting adventure with Hanging Lake Adventure Co-op (one voucher per registered guest) and is available until Sept. 30, 2024. The resort also offers an E-Bike Exploration Package with the co-op, which has the largest and newest fleet of e-bikes in Glenwood Springs. The package includes one e-bike rental voucher per registered guest and is available until Oct. 31, 2024.
There is something for everyone at America’s only mountaintop theme park. With Glenwood Hot Springs Resort’s Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park Package, each registered guest receives the park’s Funday Pass, which includes admission to all the amusement rides, scenic gondola rides up and down Iron Mountain, tours of the historic Fairy Caves, laser tag, a 4-D theater and more. This package is offered until Nov. 3, 2024.
The Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park
Festivals & Events
Planning your hot springs vacation in tandem with local events is another advantage of hot springs getaways in the fall. On Tuesdays, Market on Seventh is held downtown from 4-8 p.m. through Sept. 10. Organized by the Glenwood Springs Downtown Development Authority, the market features food trucks, live music and more than 35 purveyors selling produce, baked goods, homemade canned goods, meats, cheeses, artisan products and more.
Head up to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park on Saturdays for the five remaining Music on the Mountain concerts (Aug. 17, 24 and Sept. 7, 14, 21) featuring local, regional and national touring bands. After 4 p.m., $5 gondola tickets are available to ride up to the park, and all proceeds go directly to the nonprofit organization chosen for that specific event. The concerts run from 6-9 p.m.
Saturday fun at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park continues with Octoberfest on Sept. 28 and Oct. 5 and 12. Break out your lederhosen or dirndl dress and savor the fall colors, sunny days and fresh mountain air. Watch the park’s website for detailed information as the event draws near.
For those who like an athletic challenge, Sunlight Showdown at Sunlight Mountain Resort features a 13-mile mountain bike race on Sept. 21 and a 13-mile trail run on Sept. 22. Moving from sporty to slightly spooky, the annual Historic Ghost Walk at Linwood Cemetery presented by the Glenwood Springs Historical Society is typically held the last two weekends of October. Meander up the hill by lantern light to the cemetery, where costumed actors portray pioneers from Glenwood Springs’ past.
2024 Glenwood Hot Springs Resort Higher Education Scholarship recognition with Director of Operations Jarrid Hadland (left) and Food & Beverage Manager Dana Snyder (right), with scholarship recipients Omar Vergara, Angelina Arce-Gallegos and Valerie Gomez.
Supporting Local Schools
Getting back to the topic of schools, Glenwood Hot Springs Resort has always been a big supporter of education. Founded by Walter Devereux in 1888, Glenwood Hot Springs Pool was purchased by Frank Kistler in 1938. Kistler sold it to a group of local businessmen in 1954. Their families continue to operate what has grown to become Glenwood Hot Springs Resort and have made giving back to the community and area schools a priority. The resort is an Ultimate Sponsor of Glenwood Springs High School’s Demons athletics and has supported several other activities geared toward students such as the Mock Trial Program, Junior Achievement and Colorado Mountain College Foundation.
In addition, for the past 29 years, Glenwood Hot Springs Resort has helped young people further their education. The Glenwood Hot Springs Resort Higher Education Scholarship was created in 1995 to assist goal-oriented individuals in attending accredited institutions of higher learning, including four-year colleges and universities, community colleges and trade schools. Angelina Arce-Gallegos, Valerie Gomez and Omar Vergara are the 2024 recipients of a total of $10,000 in scholarships and were selected from a pool of 53 applications submitted by exceptional students from area schools.
It’s not too late to wrap up summer or welcome fall with a mountain road trip. Start planning today and make dreaming of soaking in mineral hot springs and spending time in an authentic Colorado community a reality.
