Deep, dark, and mysterious—Glenwood’s caves capture the imagination. Whether you’re craving off-the-beaten-path adventure, ultra-deep relaxation, or awe-inspiring scenery, our caves don’t disappoint. Plan a cave day, your way in Glenwood Springs!
See caves in a whole new light in Glenwood Springs. That might be by the light of your headlamp, through the misty haze and humidity of a subterranean steam cave, or simply by gaping at the jaw-dropping result of geological processes in broad daylight.
Go Underground
If you’re ready to step into the heart of a mountain, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is your first stop. The Adventure Park is home to some of Colorado’s most accessible and spectacular cave experiences. Guided tours take you hundreds of feet below the surface to view pristine cave formations sculpted over millions of years.
Start with the Historic Fairy Caves Tour, an ideal introduction to Glenwood’s caving past. This tour not only recreates what visitors encountered over 100 years ago, complete with vintage lighting and a trip to Exclamation Point, it also features its own retinue of magnificent treasures including a reflecting pool, a subaqueous calcite ceiling, and an underground canyon!
For something that will get your heart thumping, the King’s Row Tour starts at the Barn, an immense cave room with fantastical formations. You’ll take 120 steps that descend more than 150 feet below the surface, be prepared for the trip back up, it’s a worthwhile thigh-pumping workout. At the bottom, you’ll discover King’s Row, a pristine showcase of stalactites and stalagmites that resemble chess pieces. A light show highlights the ethereal beauty of a world usually hidden from view.
Tap Into Steam
Not all caves are about adventure; some are about slowing down and soaking it all in. At the Yampah Spa and Vapor Caves, cave-making forces take on a completely different role.
These vapor caves are one of the only naturally occurring places in North America where geothermal steam rises through cracks in the earth and fills underground chambers with mineral-rich vapor. The result? An otherworldly environment designed entirely by nature for deep relaxation.
Dressed in a swimsuit, you’ll make the descent to the cave entrance. Step inside, and you’ll immediately feel the warmth envelop you as the steam goes to work to soothe muscles, open pores, and promote a sense of calm. As your eyes adjust to the dimly lit atmosphere, you’ll notice small alcoves for quiet relaxation, and deeper in, larger rooms lined with marble benches for communal relaxation. Want to cool down? Grab a bucket and fill it with cool water from a spigot. Feel free to cool off by dipping your feet inside, dumping it over your head or just dabbing yourself with a washcloth. After your steam session, head upstairs for a massage or body treatment to complete the therapeutic experience.
Explore the Shape of Water
Cave-forming processes don’t always create traditional caves. Sometimes, they produce something even more unexpected.
Hanging Lake is a prime example, one of the most iconic landscape features in the area. This breathtaking lake was formed when part of the canyon wall collapsed long ago. Over time, mineral-rich water deposited layers of travertine around the edges, creating a natural bowl perched high above the canyon floor.
The result is nothing short of fairytale magic: an emerald-green lake clinging to the side of a cliff, continuously replenished by waterfalls. The water, fed by snowmelt and teeming with fish, is crystal clear, adding to the lake’s surreal beauty.
Just a short walk beyond the lake, you’ll find Spouting Rock, and behind it a shallow cave in which Maidenhair Ferns thrive, yet another example of water’s transformative power. Over time, water gradually bore a hole in the rock, where it either thunders or trickles through, depending on the season.
Stand behind the cascading water on the edge of the shallow cave for a view from behind the waterfall!
Plan Your Cave Day—Your Way
What makes Glenwood Springs’ caves so special is the sheer variety. In a single day, you can scurry through underground passageways, detoxify in a natural steam bath, and hike to a lake that looks like it belongs in a children’s story.
So go ahead and plan your Glenwood Springs cave day your way. Learn more and make plans to visit today!
