There is something about spring and summer that brings road trips to mind. It’s fun to get out and explore when the weather begins to warm up, the leaves and blossoms start to appear, and the days are longer and filled with sunshine. Tune up your car, van, RV, or motorcycle, hit the road, turn the tunes on, and consider these Colorado summer road trip ideas that include Glenwood Springs. No journey to this idyllic Rocky Mountain town is complete without a soak in the world’s largest hot springs pool located at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort.
How will you travel?
If you are traveling in an RV or van that can be hard to find parking for, Glenwood Hot Springs Resort has spaces available for larger vehicles that are available to pool guests and overnight guests at Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge. Overnight stays in your RV and van are not allowed in these parking spaces, but perhaps you are ready for a warm and comfy bed, a spacious bathroom with a bathtub and shower, complimentary made-to-order hot breakfast, and unlimited access to the hot springs during your stay?
Those traveling in electric vehicles also are in luck. Glenwood Hot Springs Resort offers lodge guests, day pass visitors and pool pass holders the use of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Lot W, located west of the pool under Grand Avenue Bridge. There are four Level 2 charging stations available via ChargePoint. Free EV charging for up to four hours is available for lodge guests through EV access cards.
For all other automobile and motorcycle travelers, there is also free parking for day and overnight guests visiting Glenwood Hot Springs Resort. When staying overnight, it is likely you won’t even need to get in your car as it’s an easy walk over the pedestrian bridge that leads to a wide range of downtown restaurants, coffee houses, ice cream shops, retailers, nightlife and more. It’s also only a block to the Glenwood Canyon Recreation Path trailhead, a route that is perfect for walking, biking, running and rollerblading while surrounded by mountain scenery.
Great camping options
For some Colorado road trip enthusiasts, camping is the name of the game. Located along the Colorado River, Glenwood Canyon Resort has RV, Sprinter van and tent campsites as well as cabins and cottages. The resort teams up with Glenwood Hot Springs Resort to offer a Stay & Play package that includes lodging (not including camping and RV sites) for three consecutive nights in October through December and two hot springs pool passes.
Or check out Ami’s Acres, located 3 miles west of downtown Glenwood Spring with tent and RV sites, and The Hideout at Glenwood Springs that is nestled along Three Mile Creek and features tiny homes, RV and tent camping sites. There also are numerous campsites in White River National Forest. Make reservations well ahead of your trip, especially during the busy summer and fall months.
Places to drive
If you find yourself on Interstate 70 traveling through Colorado on your road trip and needing a break, put the brakes on at Glenwood Springs. You can see Glenwood Hot Springs Resort from the interstate, which demonstrates how easy it is to take the exit, soothe weary muscles, awaken the senses, and appease antsy kids at the geothermal hot springs pool. A poolside restaurant and snack bar make it simple to get a full meal or a refreshing smoothie or Flavor Burst ice cream cone. Or maybe nachos or french fries?
Glenwood Springs also is a great base camp for all sorts of day trips as the gateway to the Roaring Fork Valley, which stretches south and also includes communities like Carbondale, Basalt, Snowmass Village and Aspen. If you want to leave your vehicle in Glenwood Springs, the paved Rio Grande Trail is fun to bike from Glenwood Springs to Aspen or utilize the RFTA bus system.
To the east, discover Vail Valley and make stops in Edwards, Avon, Vail and Minturn and consider checking out the fair-weather activities at Beaver Creek and Vail Mountain ski resorts. To the west, there are numerous picturesque vineyards, orchards and lavender fields around Palisade and Grand Junction.
Glenwood Hot Springs Resort’s Stay and Save Package is ideal for longer visits that are a sweet mix of soaking in the hot springs, exploring Glenwood Springs and taking day trips without having to pack up luggage daily. Stay any three nights and receive 15% off the room rate at Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge or stay five nights or longer and save 20%.
Scenic loops to consider
Any Colorado summer road trip ideas that include Glenwood Springs should also involve designated loops and byways. Glenwood Hot Springs Resort is part of the 800-mile Colorado Historic Hot Springs Loop that showcases 23 premier hot springs attractions in the state. In addition to amazing hot springs experiences, this journey gives drivers and riders a chance to traverse some of the 26 Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways.
Two of the closest to Glenwood Springs are West Elk Loop Scenic Byway that can be started in Carbondale and Top of the Rockies byway that is easy to access from Aspen and Minturn. Both offer classic Colorado scenery, experiences and communities along the way.
While planning your next getaway, consider these handy Colorado summer road trip ideas that include Glenwood Springs. This mountain paradise is sure to keep you coming back in any season.