Top 11 Things to Do When Visiting Glenwood Springs

Set amid jaw-dropping mountain scenery, Glenwood Springs offers effortless access to world-class outdoor recreation and a rich history that dates to the mid-1800s.

Located along one of the most beautiful stretches of I-70, visitors enter Glenwood Springs by way of a winding canyon, with towering sedimentary rock formations above, and the rushing Colorado River below. If you’re lucky, you may be able to spot the California Zephyr passenger train gliding along the tracks across the river, or some signature Colorado wildlife like bighorn sheep, or black bears.

No matter your interests or how long you plan to stay, Glenwood Springs overflows with memorable experiences. At WayFy, we’re here to help you uncover the best of them with reliable, up-to-date travel insights. Here are our top seven things to do in Glenwood Springs.

Glenwood Springs is best known for its world-famous hot springs, and the Glenwood Hot Springs Resort is the city’s signature experience. With its massive main pool, peaceful therapy pool, and family-friendly Sopris Splash Zone, it’s easy to spend an entire day, without ever leaving the property.

What many don’t know is that Glenwood offers more hot springs beyond the resort. One great alternative, to avoid the crowds, would be Iron Mountain Hot Springs. Opening in 2015, Iron Mountain wanted to bring a more relaxed and private experience to visitors than Glenwood Hot Springs Resort offered. The property features 31 geothermal soaking pools, many reserved for guests 21 and over, terraced along the Colorado River with unbeatable views. It’s the perfect spot to unwind and recharge.

For a one-of-a-kind spa experience, the Yampah Spa and Vapor Caves offer something completely different. Instead of soaking in pools, guests relax in natural steam caves powered by the area’s geothermal heat. Choose from mineral baths, massages, or other top-of-the-line treatments, and leave feeling completely renewed.

Hanging Lake is a stunning, crystal-clear pool fed by gentle waterfalls cascading over limestone cliffs. Reaching it requires a steep, 1.5-mile hike that climbs more than 1,000 feet, but the view at the top makes every step worth it.

A timed-entry permit is required, and visitors are asked to respect all regulations; please stay out of the water and off the fallen log to help preserve this fragile natural wonder.

Everyone knows about the big ski resorts of Colorado; Breckenridge, Vail, Aspen. But we also have several throughout the state that don’t get nearly the recognition the others get. This can be a good thing, as it keeps the massive crowds away.

Sunlight Mountain Ski Resort is located just under 30 minutes south of Glenwood Springs, and it’s a beautiful resort to hit the slopes. Its mix of green, blue, black, and double-black runs makes it great for all skill levels without the high-paced chaos or long lift lines.

It’s an ideal spot for beginners learning to ski, yet large enough for experienced riders to find solitude on remote trails. Ute run is a personal favorite, as it winds along the western edge of the resort, offering a wide, often powder-filled route that takes you through some unforgettable scenery.

Snowshoe paths are clearly marked and easy to access from the parking lot and bottom of the ski runs. Maps are available at the visitor's hut as well!

If you want to add a little thrill to your winter adventures, the snowmobiling tours at Sunlight Resort should be right up your alley. The tours are perfect for beginners and seasoned snowmobilers alike. If you’re traveling with your kids, you can pick the hour-long 16-mile guided family tour (scenic forest of towering pines and beautiful aspen groves). Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can sign up for the 2 ½ hour, 30-mile guided adventure tour (sweeping 360 panoramas of Mt. Sopris, the Sawatch Range, Elk Mountains, and Flattop Wilderness).

The 2025-2026 season kicks off on December 20th, and goes all the way to March 31st, so you’re free to start booking your trip now.

The tour times vary by trip; the Family tour starts at 10:00 am, while the adventure tour starts at 12:30 pm. Just be sure to get to the meetup point 30 mins before, and you’ll be good to go. On a more practical note, the tours provide helmets, but you definitely have to dress for winter: snowpants, waterproof gloves, a winter coat, and winter boots are all recommended.

Similar to Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is something you may want to do, especially if you’re on a trip with your kids.

The Adventure Park begins with a leisurely, yet stunning gondola ride to the ridge. From there, you can choose from a variety of adventures, including the Alpine Coaster, underground cavern tours, giant canyon swing, the Glenwood Canyon Flyer, or several others.

You can purchase tickets for just the gondola or cave tours or opt for full park access. With dining and restrooms at the summit, it’s easy to spend a few relaxing hours before heading back down.

Looking for something a little more intense, and a little more epic? The Colorado River roars past Glenwood Springs and it offers some top-notch whitewater rafting. Depending on your level of comfort, you can find rafting companies that will take you on rapid-heavy stretches, or along more leisurely routes.

Along the way, you may have the chance to pull to the side and dip in some of the natural hot spring pools that crop up through the canyon. Just be forewarned – going from those toasty hot pools back into the frigid waters of the Colorado can be quite the shock.

We recommend this rafting tour for a great time by an excellent rafting company.

Western history buffs may want to take some time to explore the place where John Henry Holliday, better known as Doc Holliday, was laid to rest. A short half-mile hike leads to Linwood Cemetery, where you’ll find his memorial and other historic graves like Kid Curry’s, while sweeping views of the city set a perfect backdrop below.

Afterward, stop by the Doc Holliday Museum for a dose of Old West history, then cap off the outing with a beer at Doc Holliday’s Saloon and Restaurant downtown.

The aptly named Two Rivers Park is exactly that: a park tucked at the place where the Colorado and Roaring Fork rivers meet. Not only is it a scenic riverside retreat offering sweeping mountain views (even a peek of Mt. Sopris), but it’s also the largest developed park in Glenwood Springs. It boasts 22 acres of lush open spaces, picnic areas, park shelters, well-maintained walking paths, a playground, a skate park, a boat ramp, and even a large outdoor amphitheater.

Come for the serenity and stay for the scenery; you can stroll along the riverbank, set the kids loose on the playground, have a beautiful picnic, get some fishing in, or simply relax to the steady sound of the rushing river water. You can also birdwatch, cycle, kayak on the river in the warmer months, or get some beautiful natural shots. The land is lush with a variety of flowers and trees. It really is the perfect spot to slow down while staying close to everything. And the best part? Admission is free, and you can bring your furry friends along for the ride.

Put your brainpower to the test and step into a world of mystery at the Glenwood Escape Room. Here, you and your team will be locked in a room and will have exactly 1 hour to search for hidden clues, crack codes, and solve puzzles. Every session holds 6 to 8 players, is private for you and your group, and there’s always a behind-the-scenes game master watching on camera and listening in to help keep things running smoothly.

You have three scenarios to choose from; the PG-13 Serial Doctor mystery, where one of your friends goes missing, the Elevator high-pressure mission to disarm a bomb before time runs out, or the lighter Christmas Chaos, where the door has locked behind you, and you need to solve puzzles to escape. All three are a race against the clock where every second counts.

The question is: do you and your team have what it takes?

Ever dreamed of flying? It’s time to knock that off your bucket list with Adventure Paragliding. With a certified instructor handling everything, you’ll tandem paraglide from a scenic peak and glide quietly above the rivers, canyon walls, and wide-open mountain views; an unforgettable way to experience the Two Rivers Valley of Glenwood Springs. The best part? There’s no experience necessary; if you can jog for a few steps at take off, you can fly.

The meet-up spot is directly behind the Glenwood Springs High School, and the flights are usually offered daily from May to October, depending on weather and bookings. During the summer season and early fall, flights are every hour from 6:30 to 9:30 in the morning.

You can expect 10 to 30 minutes of airtime with all the benefits of the years of training of experienced instructors. There are also photography and videography options; just add them to your package when you book your flight, and you’ll have the memories forever.

Glenwood Springs offers a unique, pedestrian-friendly way to explore this stretch of Glenwood, known as Bethel Plaza. You can take advantage of the free shuttle, Ride Glenwood Springs, that will take you throughout the city. Parking is limited in the busier parts of town, so the shuttle is ideal.

All along Grande Ave. and 7th Street, you will find several excellent places to eat, shop and explore. The city has designed this section, so you have the freedom to shop around without getting too close to the busy traffic on the elevated Grand Ave. overpass. If you’re staying at Hotel Colorado or the Hotel Maxewell Anderson, Bethel Plaza is an easy 10-minute walk across the pedestrian bridge, where you can get sweeping views of Glenwood Canyon, the Hot Springs Pool, and the Colorado River.

Some great restaurants you can access from Bethel Plaza include Slope & Hatch, the Pullman, Mama’s Pierogi, and KC’s Winghouse. As for shopping, you’ll have a great time exploring some of these favorites; The Fourth Dimension, Bullocks Western Wear, and High Country Gems and Minerals. For our travelers with a sweet tooth, there are various ice cream and chocolate shops along the Plaza that will satisfy any after meal, or day treat need.

From soothing hot springs and breathtaking hikes to mountain adventures and a dash of Wild West history, Glenwood Springs offers something for everyone. Whether you’re here to relax, explore, or chase a little thrill, this mountain town delivers experiences that linger long after you leave.

And the best part? You don’t have to plan it all on your own. With the WayFy app, you can discover curated itineraries, insider tips, and hidden gems, all tailored to how you like to travel.

Download WayFy today and start planning your next Colorado adventure, one that’s effortless, unforgettable, and completely your own.