Glenwood Springs, ColoradoGlenwood Springs is home to the world's largest natural hot pools. Spend your days hiking and having some adventures and then relax in the steamy pools at the end of the day. HistoryIn 1883, Isaac Cooper started the town of Defiance, Colorado. His wife Sarah missed her hometown of Glenwood, Iowa and convinced the founders of the town to change the name of Defiance to Glenwood Springs.Walter Devereaux bought the land where the hot springs are today. He and his brothers intended to turn the area into the world's largest hot springs pool. The first hot springs pool was 75 feet wide and 615 feet long. The Hot Springs Lodge cost $100,000 to build. The Hotel Colorado was finished a few years later at a total cost of $850,000.  Many famous people have visited here - Teddy Roosevelt stayed at Hotel Colorado. Ted Bundy was in the Glenwood Springs Jail (until he escaped). Doc Holliday, legendary gun-fighter in the old west, spent the last days of his life in here, hoping that the steamy mineral pools would cure his illnesses. He is now buried in the town cemetery.  Places to StayCheck prices, availability or book your Glenwood Springs stay now. Our free search engine helps you to compare multiple online reservation websites from one place. Click Glenwood Springs. Go to Glenwood Springs Bed and Breakfast ActivitiesLooking for some things to do on your Glenwood Springs vacation?Glenwood Caverns Adventure ParkA tramway takes you up to the top of Iron Mountain. Once you reach the top, you can take a guided tour of the caverns.The caverns first opened in 1895. The fee to tour the caves was 50 cents. Today the Adventure Park features 2 restaurants, rock climbing, rides, the cavern tours, and other activities. Spring Hours: The attractions and rides close at 5pm. Cavern tours are daily from 10:30am to 4:30pm. Starting May 22, 2009 the park will be open from 9am to 9pm. Rates:Regular Tours An easy walking tour. This tour is approx. 70 minutes long. All ages are allowed! This includes entrance to the park, and the tour. Adventure Tour This tour includes crawling and getting dirty. Lasts for approximately 90 minutes. No children under age 10. Wild Tour This tour is extreme. Tight spaces, crawling, and exploring. No children under age 13. Admission Without Tour Day Pass Includes ride on the tram, park entrance, unlimited use of some attractions. Day Pass & Tour Includes tram ride, park entrance, unlimited use of some attractions, and a regular cavern tour. Tickets must be purchased for the attractions. The Glenwood Caverns website recommends that you not take the Adventure tour or the Wild tour if you are pregnant, have health problems (especially heart or respiratory) or if you are claustrophobic or cannot crawl for long periods of time. They offer coveralls to wear on these tours for $5, or you can wear your own old clothes. If you wear old clothes, you are required to bring clean clothes for after the tour, because they do not allow people in dirty clothes to ride the tram back down. The caves are consistently cool (around 52 degrees Fahrenheit) so bring a jacket. No food, alcohol, drinks, or coolers are allowed in the park. No strollers, wheelchairs, drinks, or food allowed in the caverns. Dining: There is a snack stand, as well as The Lookout Grille restaurant in the park. Take a Hike at Hanging LakeDistance: Approximately 2 miles.Time: Allow 2 hours, minimum. Difficulty Info: Moderate, possibly difficult for children. No dogs are allowed on this trail, and no fishing is allowed in the lake. Spectacular scenery and an amazing lake make this the perfect place to go for a hike! Hanging Lake is a beautiful limestone lake tucked into a narrow canyon. The hike is a steep ascent, rising about 1,000 feet. If you haven't yet, read about altitude sickness, especially if you are from out of state.  Hanging Lake © Copyright Becky Campbell Once you reach the lake, you might enjoy taking a short trail to Spouting Rock, a beautiful waterfall. The lake is quite clear, and it is a beautiful crystal greenish-blue color. The shoreline is made of Travertine, which is dissolved limestone that has accumulated on rocks. It is requested that you not swim or wade in the water because skin oils can help to erode the travertine. Hot SpringsAnd of course, you can't go to Glenwood without visiting the hot springs! These are the largest natural hot pools in the world. Copyright Avery Smith Click here for info on pool prices. Glenwood Springs Map
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