It’s that time of year when kids and young adults head back to school. There is no better time to consider a last hurrah to Glenwood Springs, Colorado, before classroom time, homework, sports and other extracurricular activities dictate when free hours are available. 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 ultra-relaxing vacations in the fall.
For both scenarios, consider the world’s largest hot springs pool at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort and these ideas for back-to-school and fall hot springs getaways.
Family Time
For family bonding time, load up the kids and head to the mountains. Or if you need a staycation close to home, places like Aspen, the Vail Valley and Grand Junction are only an hour or hour-and-a-half away. Combine shopping for school supplies and new clothes, soaking in hot springs, and hiking and biking on area trails. Or sneak in a fall family getaway if there is a free weekend or a sporting competition you are attending in Glenwood Springs or nearby.
The Lodge at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort has 107 newly refreshed guest rooms that are ideal for families, including several two-queen guest rooms and spacious suites. All overnight stays come with unlimited hot springs access during business hours and hot, made-to-order breakfast at the poolside grill, so there is no need to load up in the car or lug in a cooler to feed hungry kids (and parents).
Enjoy Seven Hot Springs Pools
Sopris Splash Zone, a family favorite, is open daily through Labor Day weekend and on weekends in the fall if weather cooperates and staffing levels allow. Share laughs and exhilaration on Shoshone Chutes, which feels like a whitewater rafting ride on the Colorado River but happens on one- and two-person tubes. Go as many times as you like, as Shoshone Chutes is included in a pool day pass.
Younger kids are sure to love the three small slides and waterfalls in the Hanging Lake area of Sopris Splash Zone along with the splash pad that turns into the huge Grand Fountain in the evenings. Catch a bird’s-eye view of the fountain changing colors and spraying at different heights from the pedestrian bridge connecting Glenwood Hot Springs Resort to downtown.
The Grand Pool that connects to Sopris Splash Zone is larger than a football field, so there is plenty of room for parents and teen athletes to stay fit in devoted lap lanes, for a springy diving board to do all sorts of tricks, and for plenty of play time in the water. Float toys are allowed, so you might just see a unicorn taking a swim! The Grand Pool is a pleasant 90° to 93°F, so there are no chattering teeth and shivering souls and plenty of deck chairs to take a rest. Or consider booking a cabana with cozy lounge furniture for your crew’s home base.
Next to the Grand Pool, the Therapy Pool offers the next level of soothing warmth and is around 104°F. There are power showers and jetted chairs for active elements that parents and grandparents will enjoy. But that’s not it! There are five more spacious pools in the Yampah Mineral Baths area and an outdoor fireplace to gather around on the west end. Exhilaration isn’t limited to Shoshone Chutes as there are two cold plunge pools (Inhale and Exhale) in Yampah Mineral Baths for daring family members to try along with three other pools that range in temperature from 95° to 104°F.
Refuel & Take Breaks
Nothing derails a fun time like when family members get “hangry.” There are snacks and meals for refueling available at the poolside Grill and Snack Bar as well as Red Brick Eats food truck that is open through Labor Day.
Come and go from the pool all day and evening long, just make sure to stamp your hands. Take a break to hit the trails, go to a local attraction, and shop downtown and at Glenwood Meadows before heading back for another round of playing and soaking in the hot springs.
Combine Hot Springs & Amusements
Don’t miss Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, where a gondola takes you to the only mountain-top theme park in the United States. With Glenwood Hot Springs Resort’s Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park Package, receive 10% off lodging, unlimited access to the hot springs during business hours, and breakfast at the poolside Grill. Each registered guest for the package also 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. 2, 2025.
Peaceful Autumn Vacations
When considering ideas for back-to-school and fall hot springs getaways, it’s impossible not to mention sweet autumn excursions for adults. Perhaps with someone special, a sibling vacation or a girlfriend getaway? It’s easier to secure reservations for lodging, dining and outdoor activities during autumn, and there are fewer people on the miles and miles of trails.
Weekdays in September and October are truly peaceful, and the mountains transform with a fall wardrobe of gold, orange and red foliage and a dusting of snow on the peaks. Weekends don’t have the busy rush of summer, so there is no need to avoid just consider when to traverse popular driving routes or consider taking the Amtrak California Zephyr or Rocky Mountaineer trains to Glenwood Springs.
Mother Nature’s Bounty
The secret is out that fall is divine in the Colorado Rocky Mountains and that mineral hot springs soaking is the perfect complement, both courtesy of Mother Nature. The on-site Yampah Source Spring generates an incredible 3.5 million gallons of geothermal water daily. Located just west of Yampah Mineral Baths, catch a glimpse of where the water containing 15 soothing and healthful minerals is delivered. Speaking of Yampah Mineral Baths, this area becomes adults only (ages 18 and above) starting at 5 p.m. each evening. You choose … soak before or after dinner and have great conversations around the beautiful gas fireplace.
European-Style Elegance
For the ultimate getaway, book one of 16 luxurious guest rooms at the new poolside Hotel 1888, located in the resort’s historic Stone Bath House. When guests stay at Hotel 1888, they immediately have a glimpse of the rich history of Glenwood Hot Springs Resort through architectural details and beautiful artwork. Luxurious linens, high ceilings, large windows and modern, upscale bathrooms are among the highlights. Two suites provide additional room to relax, and the Silver Kings Suite has a large private balcony overlooking the Grand Pool and 1888 Suite has an original fireplace and a view of downtown.
Hotel 1888 guests are invited to relax in European-style elegance with complimentary breakfast in the 1888 Bistro, unlimited soaking in the seven mineral hot springs pools during business hours, and access to the full-service Athletic Club, also located in the Stone Bath House. A wide range of exercise classes, modern gym equipment, handball and racquetball courts, a steam room, a jacuzzi and a sauna are among the highlights along with prime views of the hot springs while working out.
Another place to catch great views and privacy is from The Overlook where umbrellas can be rented complete with two deck chairs, towels and bottled water. Or splurge and book a cabana for a half or full day.
Get Out & Explore
While lazy days at the soothing hot springs are supreme, don’t miss the opportunity to take a fall foliage drive, raft the Colorado River, and bike, hike or horseback ride through autumn finery. Transforming ideas for back-to-school and fall hot springs getaways is easy with Glenwood Hot Springs Resort’s packages, which include an activity such as rafting or biking, 10% off lodging, breakfast at the poolside Grill, and unlimited access to the hot spring pools 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 Oct. 10, 2025.
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, 2025. Check out the Glenwood Canyon Recreation Path and Rio Grande Trail paved bike paths that together cover nearly 60 miles.
In the mood for something less adventurous? Savor a cocktail at Stoneyard Distillery’s tasting room, a local beer at Glenwood Canyon Brewpub or Casey Brewing, or a glass of wine and meal at Riviera Scratch Kitchen and The Pullman. There are all sorts of great restaurants within easy walking distance from Glenwood Hot Springs Resort. Looking for a spa and salon experience? Visit the resort’s neighbor, Yampah Spa & Vapor Caves.
Fall Events
Planning in tandem with local events is another advantage of hot springs getaways in the fall. Head to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park for Octoberfest on Sept. 20 and 27 and Oct. 4 and 11. Break out your lederhosen or dirndl dress for stein-holding contests, mouthwatering Bavarian treats, axe throwing, Hammerschlagen and more.
Moving from celebratory to slightly spooky for the 25th annual Historic Ghost Walk at Linwood Cemetery presented by the Glenwood Springs Historical Society usually on 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.
It’s not too late to wrap up summer or welcome fall with a trip to Glenwood Springs using these ideas for back-to-school and fall hot springs getaways. Start planning today and make dreaming of soaking in mineral hot springs and spending time in an authentic Colorado community a reality.
