If you’re driving west from Denver along I-70, the Yampah Spa and Vapor Caves is the first hot springs attraction you’ll notice before you exit the interstate at Glenwood Springs. As you emerge from Glenwood Canyon, look for a structure built into the hillside cliffs. In all of North America, the Yampah Spa and Vapor Caves is the only one that is naturally-occurring, all others are manmade excavations.
What makes the Yampah Spa & Vapor Caves so special?
- The underground caves have been in use since the mid-1880s when Glenwood Springs was a startup pioneer town. However, no one knows how many decades or centuries the native inhabitants used the caves prior to that.
- The Ute Indians believed the hot mineral water possessed great healing properties. In the Ute language, Yampah means “Big Medicine.”
- The natural, untreated therapeutic water contains 34 minerals and trace elements.
- Hot mineral water flows through channels on the cave floors to create natural geothermal steam baths that range in temperature between 110 – 112°F (43-44°C).
- Visitors can cool off in a variety of settings: the upstairs solarium, an outside deck or by splashing cold water on their skin via cold water spigots in the caves.
- The Yampah Spa and Vapor Caves is also a full service salon and spa offering hair and nail services, massage, body treatments and private soaking tubs for individuals and couples.
To find out more about Glenwood’s one-of-a-kind attractions and book lodging reservations, visit visitglenwood.com.
