Glenwood Springs Colorado

Glenwood Springs is another historic town in Colorado which has been through many changes and yet retains the old charm it always had. At the confluence of the Roaring Fork River and “Grand” Colorado River, the town of Glenwood Springs began in the 1880′s. This area had been the home to nomadic Ute Indian tribes, and the hot springs was a wonderful health remedy even hundreds of years ago. The town boasts the world’s largest hot springs swimming pool and a wonderful ski resort called Sunlight Mountain.

More Glenwood Springs Town Facts

Region: Northwest	County: Garfield
Latitude: 39.5505376	Longitude: -107.3247762	Elevation: 5,761 ft (1,756 m)

The original name of the town was Defiance, and was established in 1883 as a mining town with all the rough characters that went along with that. “Town Founder Isaac Cooper’s wife Sarah was having a hard time adjusting to the frontier life and in an attempt to make her environment somewhat more comfortable, persuaded the founders to change the name to Glenwood Springs, Colorado after her beloved hometown of Glenwood, Iowa.” So Glenwood Springs was born. Many wonderful things can be found in Glenwood, and that has been true since the earliest settlers were here. When the railroad came through, the first tourists came into the area and the Vapor Caves, the Fairy Caves and the Hotel Colorado were ready to greet them.

In 1886 Walter Devereux used the natural hot springs found bubbling to the surface to create the famous and now historic Glenwood Hot Springs Pool for the wealthy travelers to enjoy. The pool officially opened on July 4, 1888 and was complimented by the lovely sandstone bathhouse in 1890. “Perhaps our town is best viewed from the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, at the top of the Iron Mountain Tram. Experience Glenwood Springs through activities on earth, air, water and snow. Visit our natural wonders and take in our creature comforts. Come to Glenwood Springs, Colorado, and soak it all in. ”

Activities by genre are offered to Glenwoods visitors:

Earth: biking, camping, caverns, disk golf, golf, hiking
Air: Iron mountain, tram, lifts, paragliding, swingshot
Water: fishing, hot springs pool, kayaking, rafting
Snow: lifts, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, Sunlight Mountain resort
Natural Wonders: Glenwood Canyon, Glenwood Caverns, Hanging Lake, Vapor Caves, Wonders of wildlife
Creature comforts: dining, shopping, spas

Latest Glenwood Springs, Colorado, weather conditions and forecast

Local Glenwood Springs Attractions

Historic Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs, Colorado
“Designed after the Villa de Medici in Italy, the Hotel Colorado was originally a summer destination for affluent tourists. Opened in 1893, the Colorado employed a highly trained staff in its luxurious surroundings to cater to visitors who expected only the best. Over the years, the hotel has played host to presidents, gangsters and movie stars.”

Vapor Caves in Glenwood Springs
“The current Yampah Vapor Cave was actually the third geothermal cave to be opened to the public, but the only one on the north side of the river and specifically intended for use by the wealthy clientele of the Hot Springs Pool and Hotel Colorado. Workers began development of the cave itself in 1892, providing marble benches for seating in this “hygienic Hades.” After completion of the cave building, the facility opened in March of 1896.”

Historic Fairy Caves and Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park
“The Fairy Caves Co. was incorporated in 1895 by local attorney, Charles Darrow. By July of 1896, a road up Iron Mountain was constructed to access the caves which were previously reached by a foot trail up the mountain behind the Hotel Colorado. By the summer of 1897, electric wires had been strung up the mountain and throughout the caves, making the Fairy Caves one of the first five electrically lighted caves in the country. In 1900, a tunnel to Exclamation Point was blasted through, creating an incredible view of Glenwood Springs and the Canon of the Grand.”

Doc Holliday Grave Memorial - Linwood Cemetery
“Established in 1886, Linwood contains the graves of the pioneers of Glenwood Springs. Its most infamous resident is John Henry “Doc” Holliday, who died of here in November of 1887. Doc had arrived in May of that year, presumably looking to the hot springs as a cure for his tuberculosis.” Part of the Doc Holliday story was made famous in the Hollywood movie “Tombstone” about legendary Wyatt Earp.

“Harvey Logan, alias “Kid Curry” was also buried in Linwood after committing suicide following a train robbery in 1904 near Parachute. Logan had been, for a while, a member of Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid’s gang. Exploring this historic graveyard, with its beautiful and interesting headstones, is not to be missed.”

Frontier Historical Museum - Glenwood Springs Colorado
“Home of Glenwood’s Frontier Historical Society, this 1905 house takes you back in time with artifacts and exhibits on everything from household life, mining, ranching and the Ute Indians to Doc Holliday, Teddy Roosevelt and Buffalo Bill Cody, all of whom spent time in Glenwood Springs. The archives are available for research and the photo collection contains over 5,000 historic images. Pick up a walking tour of downtown historic Glenwood Springs or arrange a guided tour of Linwood Cemetery. Shop the Museum Store for books on Glenwood history, Doc Holliday and much, much more.”

Glenwood Railroad Museum – Train Depot Station
“The railroad museum, located in the historic 1904 train depot, focuses on Glenwood’s railroad history. Model railroads and train artifacts tell the story of railroad transportation in Glenwood Springs and throughout Colorado.” The train tracks follow the beautiful twists and turns of the Colorado River along the Glenwood Canyon. It’s an amazing sight either by train or by highway.

Cardiff Coke Ovens
“An important part of the mining history of this area, the Cardiff coke ovens (circa 1888) were used to superheat locally-mined coal to remove any impurities. A company town grew up around the ovens, where upwards of 250 people resided. There was a company store, post office and school. Remnants of the coke ovens, on the National Register of Historic Places, can still be seen today.”

Of course there are lots of other things to do and see in the area! Click on any of the links below to find more activities.