Glenwood Springs is located in the Western half of Colorado in Garfield County. Resting at about the same elevation as Denver, Glenwood Springs is famous for its hot springs pool. It is located roughly halfway between Vail and Aspen.

Glenwood Springs is located at the confluence of the Colorado River and the Roaring Fork River, in the Roaring Fork Valley. The two rivers shape the town. They provide world-class fly-fishing, whitewater rafting, and now kayaking.

Originally named Defiance, in the late 1800s, the name was changed was by white men arrived from an Iowa town called Glenwood. Many of the nearby towns (Aspen and Leadville) had their booms while Glenwood Springs was yet in its infancy. Glenwood Springs was difficult to reach due to the canyons to the east and west; it was also located on Ute land. The town grew in part thanks to its location on the railroad and the Colorado River.

The local area is surrounded by public lands, especially the White River National Forest, which attracts hunters and campers from great distance. The Grand Mesa is to the west and the Flattops Wilderness area dominate to the North. The Flattops is a very large area offering unlimited high-country exploring. The Four Mile recreation area (to the South-west) offers easier day mountain access favored by locals. Glenwood Springs is a truly great place to access all the Rocky Mountains have to offer.

In terms of Culture (and ski-appeal) it is hard to underestimate the role of Aspen. Glenwood Springians may not want to actually live in Aspen, but they do appreciate being able to commute to a cultural Mecca.

Up the valley is Carbondale, Basalt, Snowmass and Aspen. To the west is New Castle, Silt and Rifle.

Activities

 • Sunlight Mountain Resort - A really local nice ski area for family skiers. Not as professional and huge as other nearby resorts but much more affordable with a lot of mountain to ski.
 • Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park - A family adventure park with a focus on caving. A fun tram ride, restaurant, rides and cave tours makes this a MUST for family travelers. Plan on at least 1/2 a day here if you are visiting... maybe more!
 • Glenwood Hots Springs Pool - A huge hotspring pool that is the signature attraction of the town. The colder and more inclement the weather, the better
 • Yampah Spa and Salon. Has vapor caves and a spa. It is recommended you try the caves themselves for an hour. This involves sitting in a natural cave (on benches spread throughout a series of chambers) that is hot and steamy hot. Cold water and buckets are available to splash yourself with cold water.
 • Rock Gardens Rafting, * . Offers a variety of local trips on the Colorado and Roaring Fork Rivers - choose from whitewater thrills to scenic family trips. They also offer Jeep tours and fly-fishing trips. Glenwood Springs is a popular rafting destination due to its location at the confluence of two major Western rivers. The Colorado River is notable for its 12 month flows, which bring in rafting outfitters from all over the state during low-water months.
 • Colorado Backcountry Biker, * . All inclusive self-guided mountain biking tours and adventures in Western Colorado and Eastern Utah.

Shopping

Glenwood has a nice shopping area downtown with lots of cute little boutique shops. There is a new mall with a Target, Lowes, Vitamin Cottage, Petco, Pier 1. Make sure you stroll down Cooper Avenue too, which has some nice consignment shops and natural foods store.

Dining

 • Tequila's. A Mexican restaurant near the I70 exit.
 • Tapei Tokyo. A Chinese restaurant near City Market.
 • May Palace Chinese restaurant downtown. Great lunch specials.
 • Italian Underground Downtown. Dinner only. The locals favorite Italian. Great atmosphere. Reasonable prices. Good wine list. Very popular and rather small. Your best is to be there when they open at 5pm.
 • Glenwood Canyon Brewpub - Offering first-rate fresh brewed beer and a local's favorite dining experience. It is a non-smoking environment, it doesn't stay open late like local bars, and it has the best pool tables in town. A good place to catch a game too.
 • Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park - Offers an upscale dining "experience" with the best views in the area. Food is excellent, but the service needs improvement.
 • Sunlight Inn - Offers après-ski and a full dinner menu several times a week.
 • Fast-food. McDonald's, Wendy's, Taco Bell, etc. For a change, try the Charcoal Burger on the road between West Glenwood and downtown.

Drink

Glenwood Canyon Brewpub, . This is a great place to drink if you like fresh brewed beer, real pool tables, games on TV, no-smoking. If you want Budweiser, cheap pool tables, and a smoky environment, go over to Doc's or The Springs.

Lodging

 • Sunlight Inn - A 20 minute drive from town. If you plan on spending more time exploring the mountains in the summer, Sunlight Inn is located at the base of the 4 mile recreation area. This area offer fantabulous hiking, fishing, exploring, beaver dam jumping, four-wheeling, mountain biking, elk/deer/beaver watching, etc opportunities. It is located at the base of Sunlight Mountain Ski Resort.
 • First Choice Inns - Typically offers some of the best deals in town. Worth checking out.
 • Four Mile Creek - Upscale Bed & Breakfast and cabins about 15 minutes away from town, towards the ski area. About 5 minutes from Sunlight Mountain Resort. Romantic and adult.
 • B&B on Mitchell Creek - Offers several nice suites that feel an hour from town but are only 10 minutes. If you want to be up in the mountains for a romantic stay, check them out.
 • The Hotel Colorado. The signature hotel of the area and is rich in history. It is worth a visit just to stroll through the lobby area or have a bite to eat. They serve a decent Sunday brunch and the bar is a good place to watch a game or just pass the time with comfortable seating and cable TV.
 • Glenwood Canyon Resort - Offers very nice little cabins and some camping. Located right on the Colorado River in "No Name" which is one highway exit up from Glenwood proper. The Glenwood Canyon Trail is very close (for hiking and biking). They also offer rafting trips via their Rock Gardens Rafting trips
 • Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge and Pool Great lodging right next to the best hot springs pool in the world