Glenwood Hot Springs Resort is the perfect base camp for summer outdoor adventures in Glenwood Springs that involve a healthy dose of exploring the mountain surroundings. Create the perfect itinerary based on your personal level of adventure, knowing that you can always retreat back for soaks in the world’s largest natural hot springs pool. All pool passes and overnight stays at the Lodge at Glenwood Hot Springs Resorts come with in and out privileges all day long (no reservations are needed), and summer hours are 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
There also are benefits to starting the day by loosening up your muscles in the soothing geothermal waters before exploring miles and miles of local trails and waterways. There are 15 minerals found in the geothermal water supplied by the resort’s Yampah Source Spring that fills the Grand Pool, Therapy Pool, and brand new Yampah Mineral Baths featuring five spacious pools. These minerals can relieve aches and pains, help naturally eliminate toxins, increase circulation, and reduce blood pressure.
Explore the Rivers & Lakes
If your crew is inspired by nature’s waterways, Glenwood Springs delivers at epic levels. Tumbling its way through Glenwood Canyon, the Colorado River supplies some of the state’s most spectacular river rafting excursions at various levels.
Glenwood Hot Springs Resort makes it easy to get on the Colorado River through its Whitewater Adventure Package, which features a half-day rafting adventure with Hanging Lake Adventure Co-op. Experience the thrill of whitewater rafting through the Shoshone rapids, and then sit back and relax on this 2.5-hour guided trip through the beautiful Glenwood Canyon (one voucher per registered guest). This package is available May 1 – Sept. 30, 2024, and includes 10% off the room rate at the Lodge at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, made-to-order breakfast at the poolside Grill, and unlimited access to the pool during business hours.
Another area river, Roaring Fork River that runs from Glenwood Springs to Aspen, provides river runners with colder and shallower water and has 22 miles of designated Gold Medal water for fly fishing. Float, wade or shore fish to have a shot at tempting the local trout population.
Small streams and high alpine lakes also are abundant in the White River National Forest for fishing, and don’t forget the Colorado River! The Glenwood Canyon Recreation Path makes many walk-and-wade sections of this river easily accessible. Or take advantage of the Grizzly Creek boat launch and float to Two Rivers Park in Glenwood Springs.
The Colorado River also offers kayakers everything from smooth water to thrilling rapids, with boat launches conveniently located at rest areas in Glenwood Canyon. At the Glenwood Whitewater Activity Area, paddling enthusiasts can practice maneuvers on a standing wave.
At the hot springs: You don’t even need to leave Glenwood Hot Springs Resort to get a sampling of whitewater! Sopris Splash Zone, the resort’s family-friendly aquatic park on the west end of the pool, features Shoshone Chutes. It’s a three-minute tube ride that plunges riders downhill with plenty of twists and turns like traversing the Colorado River. You’ll hear all ages hooting and hollering with delight.
Hit the Trails
Surrounded by huge mountain vistas, Glenwood Springs has miles and miles of trails to explore on foot, bike, horseback and off-road vehicles.
All ages can get a taste of the wilderness on anything from paved pathways along river and rail corridors to steep, narrow singletrack for hard-charging mountain bike enthusiasts. For those who prefer skinny tires and electric bikes, Rio Grande Trail offers more than 40 miles of distance riding along a gentle railroad-grade from Glenwood Springs to Aspen, with other great towns like Carbondale and Basalt in between. Meanwhile, the Glenwood Springs Recreation Path curves 16 miles through Glenwood Canyon and features a trailhead very near Glenwood Hot Springs Resort.
The resort offers an E-Bike Exploration package with Hanging Lake Adventure Co-op, which has the largest and newest fleet of e-bikes in Glenwood Springs. Explore these 56 miles of trails and more on your own with one e-bike rental voucher provided per registered guest. This package is available May 1 – Oct. 31, 2024, and includes 10% off the room rate at the Lodge at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, made-to-order breakfast at the poolside Grill and unlimited access to the pool during business hours.
Glenwood Springs outfitters also make it easy to enjoy summer outdoor adventures like exploring trails via horseback and off-road vehicles. In terms of hiking, it is easy to set out on your own using Visit Glenwood Springs ideas for hikes.
At the hot springs: Hanging Lake, one of many popular hikes in the area, has impressed locals and guests for decades. Get a taste of this special place at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort’s Sopris Splash Zone, which has waterfalls modeled after Hanging Lake in the kids’ area, along with three smaller slides, interactive water features and shallow play areas. After a big day, savor every bite of a soft-serve ice cream twist cone from the poolside Grill; it’s sure to remind you of twisting and turning along local trails.
Go Big
Whether it’s tandem paragliding and skydiving or ziplining across the Colorado River, there are aerial adventures galore in Glenwood Springs and outfitters to help make summer outdoor adventures happen!
Professional certified instructors ensure paragliding and skydiving launches and landings are slow and gentle. For action that starts a little closer to the ground, Glenwood Canyon Zipline has lines that soar over the Colorado River and an aerial adventure course with crazy obstacles. Or head to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, the only mountain-top theme park in America, that also offers unmatched aerial fun with thrill rides like the Soaring Eagle Zip Ride, Alpine Coaster, Giant Canyon Swing and Glenwood Canyon Flyer.
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, a scenic gondola ride up and down Iron Mountain, tours of the historic Fairy Caves, laser tag, a 4-D theater and more. Like the other packages mentioned, this one also includes 10% off the room rate at the Lodge at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, made-to-order breakfast at the poolside Grill and unlimited access to the pool during business hours. The package is available May 3 – Nov. 3, 2024.
At the hot springs: Going big at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort might be trying out the Shoshone Chutes river ride or taking a leap off the diving board. There also is a large splash pad in Sopris Splash Zone that turns into the spectacular lighted Grand Fountain at night that changes colors and shoots water up to 17 feet.
Glenwood Hot Springs Resort makes Glenwood Springs summer outdoor adventures easy and rewarding by providing packages and a blissful place to soak in the mineral hot springs. Or take the day off and spend the whole day off relaxing at the pool with friends and family. Don’t forget to try out the new Yampah Mineral Baths!