Glenwood Springs: A Hot Spot Along the Historic Colorado Hot Springs Loop

Home to three easily accessible hot springs attractions, Glenwood Springs is a perfect starting point for touring Colorado’s Historic Hot Springs Loop.

• Glenwood Hot Springs

Colorado’s most famous hot springs resort opened in 1888, but even prior to that, the Ute Indians made seasonal pilgrimages to soak in the area’s healing waters. At 400 ft/122m long, Glenwood Hot Springs is considered the world’s largest mineral hot springs pool. The big pool hovers around 90°F/32°C, while the smaller Therapy Pool is closer to 104°F/40°C.The resort is also home to the Spa of the Rockies which uses mineral water from the source spring in many of its treatments. The 107-room Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge also harnesses geothermal energy for heating and snowmelt in the winter.

• Iron Mountain Hot Springs 

At Iron Mountain Hot Springs 16 soaking pools are situated on a terraced hillside overlooking the Colorado River. The pools vary in size, shape and temperature, ranging from 99°F/37°C to 108°F/42°C. Some have river rock bottoms intended to stimulate reflexology points on the feet; all of them have spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and landscape. There’s also a cooler, freshwater family pool where children tend to gravitate; an attached, elevated jetted spa makes an ideal perch for parents to keep an eye on youngsters.

• Yampah Spa & Vapor Caves

Naturally created vapor caves like the ones in Glenwood Springs are an extremely rare phenomenon. Hot mineral water flows through channels in the cave floors at 125°F/52°C, the vapors are trapped in the caverns creating natural geothermal steam baths. The caves consist of three adjoining underground rock chambers with temperatures that average 111°F/43°C. The “rooms” are dimly lit and fitted with marble benches; an atmosphere that beckons visitors to relax and de-stress. Many people believe the mineral-rich steam has potent cleansing and detoxifying qualities.