See Colorado’s fall foliage show off in Glenwood Springs! In addition to knock-your-socks-off leaf-peeping, visitors to the world- famous hot springs town will also find a plethora of outdoor autumn activities that take full advantage of the brief but breathtaking season that is fall in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.
Home to some of the state’s most iconic attractions including the Glenwood Hot Springs Pool, Yampah Spa & Vapor Caves, Iron Mountain Hot Springs and Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, Glenwood Springs is your go-to, easy-to-plan destination for a Colorado fall getaway. Not only are all of the town’s top attractions open in autumn, they are less crowded, even on the peak Colorado color weekends in September through mid-October. Finding a place to stay for your Colorado fall vacation is no problem either. With over 1,700 available rooms, Glenwood Springs offers visitors a wide range of lodging choices. When it comes to autumn activities, try these fall favorites for starters:
Fall leaf-peeping drives. Fall drives in Colorado are world famous. See the changing colors at their flamboyant best with a fall foliage drive based out of Glenwood Springs. Depending on your schedule, choose a short drive or a longer excursion, either way you’ll be dazzled by Mother Nature’s artistry.
Nearby Glenwood Springs fall color drives:
- Glenwood Canyon – Magnificent views of the canyon’s rocky cliffs and the Colorado River.
- Spring Valley – Drive to the Colorado Mountain College campus for snowcapped vistas of Mt. Sopris and the Elk Range.
- Four Mile Road – Take a drive toward Sunlight Mountain Resort where the hillsides are shimmering with every shade of gold.
Color-viewing daytrips from Glenwood Springs:
- Highway 133 to Redstone and Marble – A pretty, meandering drive along the Crystal River; be sure to stop at Hayes Creek Falls.
- Independence Pass – At an elevation of 12,095 feet above sea level the views from atop the Continental Divide are breathtaking, but this is not a drive for the faint-of-heart.
- Dotsero to Sweetwater – east of Glenwood Canyon, this two-lane road takes you into the Flat Tops Wilderness where meadows, aspen groves, evergreen forests and high alpine lakes converge.
Fall hiking. Cooler weather and plenty of sunshine, nothing beats taking a fall hike in Colorado! These are a few of our favorite Glenwood Springs fall hikes: Hanging Lake and Grizzly Creek Trail, both in Glenwood Canyon; Red Mountain/Jeanne Golay Trail and Doc Holliday Trail close to downtown.
Fall photography. Dazzling blue skies, mountainsides of quavering aspen leaves and snowcapped peaks add up to brag-worthy photographs. There’s no shortage of stunning Colorado foliage for shutterbugs in Glenwood Springs. Choice places for snaps: Red Mountain with views of Mt. Sopris and the Roaring Fork Valley; on the Rio Grande Trail you’ll find fishermen, wildlife, fall foliage and weather-worn barns; another picture-perfect fall photo location is downtown Glenwood Springs with its retro neon signs and historic buildings like the train depot, the Hotel Colorado and the Hotel Denver, all set against a backdrop of orange and gold.
Fall fly fishing. We’ll let you in on a little secret; fall is one of the best seasons for fishing Colorado’s Gold Medal Waters and the rivers and streams around Glenwood Springs. During the fall, there are fewer anglers and less pressure on aquatic life. Translation: your chances of catching a trophy trout just increased — by a lot! Also, because river flows are low at this time of year, you can pass the time casting away on a long, slow, leisurely float down either the Roaring Fork River or the Colorado River.
Other way to see the leaves. Heed poet Robert Frost’s advice and take the road less traveled, especially during autumn when Colorado’s fall colors beckon visitors to leave the beaten path behind and explore further afield. In Glenwood Springs, discover trails paved and unpaved; scenic Colorado places, some easily accessible, others downright remote. What you see and how you get there all depends on how you like to travel.
- Biking. Miles upon miles of trails await road and mountain biking enthusiasts in Glenwood Springs. Whether you prefer the speed of pedaling on a smooth surface or the challenge of single-track riding, cycling is an exquisite and exhilarating fall activity in Colorado.
- Horses. Nothing says Colorado fall family fun like a horseback trail ride through golden aspen groves in the mountains surrounding Glenwood Springs. Gentle, sure-footed equines along with experienced guides lead visitors on daytrips through color drenched autumn landscapes.
- ATVs. Head for high country adventure with a guided ATV tour. All-terrain vehicles can negotiate nearly any type of terrain. Bumpy, steep, muddy mountain roads are not only fun to maneuver; they lead off-road adventurers to some the best leaf peeping locations in Colorado.
All too soon though autumn breezes will be blowing in colder weather; so don’t miss this golden opportunity to book your Glenwood Springs, Colorado fall getaway today, at visitglenwood.com.
