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Iceland is renowned for its
Blue Lagoon.
Its iconic
turquoise water
attracts tourists worldwide, yet visitors can find premier hot springs without traveling too far away.
For generations, Glenwood Springs, Colorado, has been providing solace to tired travelers.
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Situated beside the Colorado River, this mountainous town provides three unique hot spring experiences and even gives you a glimpse of what it’s like at the Blue Lagoon.
in the absence of volcanic threats
.
“We have refined a model based on various hot spring waters around the globe,” stated Steve Beckley, who owns Iron Mountain Hot Springs in Glenwood Springs.
Here’s the information visitors need to be aware of.
Historic hot springs
Glenwood Hot Springs Resort
houses the oldest and biggest hot spring pool in Glenwood Springs.
“The resort boasts the world’s largest hot spring pool, which holds 1,078,000 gallons and is well-maintained with a structured filtration system,” explained Taylor Mays, the resort’s pool manager.
The main pool
dates back to 1888
And continues to be popular across the decades.
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.
Mays mentioned that families often bring their children, who then sometimes return with grandchildren. Everyone looks forward to planning large gatherings during the summertime.
In recent times, the resort has introduced fun water slides, a splash area, and new swimming pools that transform into adults-only after dark.
“It’s very kid-oriented, but we also wanted to ensure that adults wouldn’t feel left out—whether they’re looking forward to a romantic evening out or simply seeking that serene atmosphere often associated with hot springs,” Mays explained.
A world of opportunity
Iron Mountain Hot Springs
provides visitors an experience combining local hot springs and distant locations through 11 WorldSprings pools designed to replicate waters from across the globe.
Some have a high concentration of magnesium, others lean towards lithium, and some are rich in bicarbonates, making each one distinct in appearance and sensation,” Beckley explained. “Similar to the Dead Sea, which contains numerous minerals that result in an incredibly buoyant experience, far more intense than regular seawater.
He mentioned that they have 30 various formulas in their lineup, however, the Dead Sea- and Blue Lagoon-inspired pools are consistently accessible due to their high demand.
“All of our pools are situated right alongside the Colorado River, offering stunning views of both the mountains and the water. Bald eagles frequently soar overhead, making it quite an extraordinary location,” stated Beckley. Due to their immense popularity, WorldSpring locations are now expanding into various other cities across the region.
recently Dallas.
A distinct type of encounter
Yampah Spa and Vapor Caves
provides a distinct type of hot springs encounter featuring naturally fed steam baths along with the sole private mineral baths in Glenwood Springs.
The caves boast a rich past. Co-owner Melinda Delmonico pointed out that
Ute Indians
The area’s caves were used for traditional ceremonies well before settlers came. She added, “During World War II, the government controlled the pools and Yampah to aid soldiers due to their mineral content and the healing properties they offer.”
Today, visitors can utilize the caves for rest and recreation activities.
“You are within the embrace of Mother Earth. This location is truly remarkable and imbued with great sanctity due to the numerous rituals performed by early inhabitants, the original caretakers of this land,” explained Delmonico. Additionally, she mentioned that these caves continue to be used for Indigenous ceremonies, and registered members of Native American tribes can utilize them at no cost.
How to get there
Glenwood Springs is under an hour away from both Vail and Aspen by vehicle. The nearest commercial airports are
Eagle County Regional Airport
approximately 30 miles distant, and
Aspen/Pitken County Airport,
roughly 40 miles distant. The distance from Denver International Airport to Glenwood Springs is approximately 180 miles.
Travelers can also take
Amtrak’s California Zephyr
The train makes a stop in Glenwood Springs as part of its journey from Chicago to San Francisco.
“Anybody who rides that train can easily head straight to the resort and jump into the pool immediately after spending the whole day traveling,” Mays stated.
Where to stay
Whether you’re looking at campsites, holiday homes, franchise motels, or guesthouses, there are numerous options available.
places to stay
in Glenwood Springs.
The Glenwood Hot Springs Resort’s lodge along with the upcoming developments
Hotel 1888
The only ones featuring hot springs on-site. Other accommodations are just a short walk away from thermal facilities.
What else to do
“Overall, Glenwood is a stunning region,” Delmonico stated.
Josh Ryks, a Colorado-based adventurer and travel content creator known as
Ryks Video
On social platforms, Glenwood Springs is described as an excellent starting point for adventures in the outdoors.
“He mentioned that simply driving along the I-70 corridor through Glenwood Canyon is incredibly scenic all by itself.”
Adrenaline junkies can go rafting or
zip line
along the Colorado River or go for rides on roller coasters at
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park
, which also includes spectacular caverns.
A few local trails are currently shut down for
repair work,
including
Grizzly Creek
and
Hanging Lake
, a
natural national landmark
However, farther away, there’s a distant
Flat Tops Wilderness Scenic Route
.
Highly favored among hikers, this place boasts numerous alpine lakes accessible only after traveling quite a distance. It also has some concealed caverns,” explained Ryks, noting that reaching the Flat Tops area, which includes sections requiring vehicles with high ground clearance and navigating through gravel roads, might pose challenges. “Think of it as a lesser-known treasure in Colorado.
He also suggests visiting these alternative destinations:
Rifle Falls State Park
, the
Maroon Bells Scenic Area
close to Aspen and the “hip small town” of Marble.
That features numerous 4×4 trails, a charming lake, and the
Crystal Mill
He mentioned, ‘During the trip, you can look around.’
Hayes Creek Falls
next to the highway.”
Following all that adventure, visitors can return to Glenwood Springs to relax in the inviting, albeit not consistently clear, waters.
Eve Chen is a travel journalist who focuses on consumers and is located in the Atlanta region.
You can reach her at echen@SofTech.
(This article has been updated to include more details about Melinda Delmonico.)
The article initially appeared on USA TODAY:
There’s no need to travel all the way to Iceland when Colorado boasts hot springs as impressive as these.
