Glenwood Springs has never lost touch with its Wild West past; it’s part of who we are. From nostalgia for train travel to historic hot springs and storied hotels, the spirit of the West lives on through our attractions, activities, and experiences.
At its core, Glenwood Springs is a Colorado mountain town that still tips its hat to frontier life. Whether you’re craving ranch-style fare for supper or saddling up for a trail ride, Glenwood Springs offers a whole roundup of adventures marked with western flair.
Calling All Cowpokes
Some activities just rustle up scenes straight out of an old-time spaghetti western: horseback riding through open country, casting a line into a shady creek, or heading into the backcountry in search of elk and deer. While movie characters always manage to run into trouble, Glenwood’s visitors do not. Thankfully, there are no high-noon showdowns with the bad guys in the middle of Grand Avenue!
Glenwood’s outdoor outfitters ensure visitors experience the peace, beauty, and joy of western-style recreation, whether horseback riding, skeet shooting, hunting, or fly fishing. Knowledgeable in their sport, they are expert instructors, guides, and companions helping everyone from first-timers to old-timers have a hootenanny of a good time.
Ride the Rails
At the heart of downtown is Glenwood’s historic railway station. Built of red sandstone, quarried nearby, the station’s roof mirrors the historic bathhouse at the Glenwood Hot Springs Resort. Like bookends across the Colorado River from one another, they were both designed by the same architect.
In the golden age of railway travel, the depot served as the grand entrance to town, and that hasn’t changed in over 100 years. These days, train travelers can arrive aboard Amtrak’s California Zephyr or the luxurious Canyon Spirit, both of which make stops in Glenwood Springs.
There is something wonderfully old-fashioned about riding the rails. In a world where faster is always deemed better, slowing down becomes part of the western-themed adventure.
When It’s Time for Chuck
On cattle drives, the chuck wagon was where hungry cowboys gathered after long days on the trail. Fortunately, modern-day grub in Glenwood Springs has come a long way from burnt beans and gritty coffee.
Today, local restaurants serve up farm-to-table cuisine that celebrates the area’s ranching and agricultural roots. Menus feature everything from steaks and bison burgers to elk, trout, pork, and seasonal produce.
Top spots to wet your whistle and fill your plate with a profusion of locally harvested fare include The Pullman, Juicy Lucy’s Steakhouse, The Riviera, CO Ranch House, Hugo’s, and the Hotel Colorado Restaurant & Bar. Visit the Doc Holliday Saloon for western grub and atmosphere; don’t miss the historic walnut back bar, memorabilia, and pool tables. For an old west outdoor dining experience, savor the Cowboy Cookout at Bair Ranch, located in Glenwood Canyon.
Soaking Never Gets Old
Long before Glenwood Springs became a mountain-town getaway, the area’s mineral-rich hot springs drew the Utes, native inhabitants, and the first to understand the therapeutic qualities of the thermal water. After long rides, the Utes even encouraged their horses to partake of the springs for muscle rejuvenation and restoration! Later, town settlers, entrepreneurial visionaries, and even the U.S. Navy shaped our hot spring history.
The world-famous Glenwood Hot Springs Resort has welcomed visitors since 1888, and stepping onto the grounds still feels a bit like traveling back in time. Two massive pools, the historic bathhouse, as well as newer amenities like the Yampah Mineral Baths and Sopris Splash Zone create an atmosphere that’s equal parts nostalgic and timeless.
Just downriver, Iron Mountain Hot Springs blends modern amenities and riverside views with old-school soaking culture. With 30+ mineral pools, cold plunges, and saunas overlooking the Colorado River, it’s easy to settle in for a spell.
Wild West Characters
Glenwood’s history
is what it is thanks to the colorful characters who shaped it. Famous names such as President Teddy Roosevelt, socialite “the Unsinkable” Margaret “Molly” Brown, and 1920s gangsters Al Capone and “Diamond” Jack Alterie are among the most recognizable names on Glenwood’s roster of historic Who’s Who.
It’s safe to say, however, the greatest western legend to grace Glenwood Springs is John “Doc” Holliday, gambler and gunslinger, lawman and outlaw. Doc spent his last days on earth in Glenwood Springs, and the town has never forgotten it. You can visit his memorial marker in Linwood Cemetery, see a pistol believed to have belonged to him, and visit a tavern named after him.
If These Walls Could Talk
We can only imagine the stories tucked inside the walls of the town’s historic hotels.
The grand dame of them all is Hotel Colorado. Opened in 1893 and modeled after the Villa de Medici in Italy, the hotel became a destination for wealthy travelers, dignitaries, and famous faces of the era. Its guest list over the decades has included everyone from presidents to notorious scoundrels.
Hotel Maxwell Anderson is another jewel of Glenwood history. Through numerous iterations over a century, the property has welcomed generations of travelers. Today, its updated rooms and prime downtown location offer a blend of historic ambiance and modern comfort.
Hotel 1888 tips its hat right in its name. The boutique lodging property located in the historic red sandstone bathhouse at Glenwood Hot Springs honors the year the resort opened. Today, with a nod to the past, it offers visitors an upscale and modern stay at the world-famous hot spring resort.
Saddle Up & Get Ready for Western Adventure in Glenwood Springs
Yes, we are a town with a past, and we couldn’t be prouder to share it with you. For Colorado adventures with western flair, Glenwood is the real McCoy! Learn more and make plans to visit Glenwood Springs today!
