The Ultimate One Week Itinerary

Glenwood Springs is a town unlike any other. Nestled in the Colorado Rocky Mountains with two rivers running through it and stunning views all around, it’s the quintessential, low-key mountain resort. Whether you’re an avid outdoor enthusiast wanting to fish, hike, raft and play, or you’re just a lover of nature looking for a quiet escape, it is sure to inspire you.

Not to mention it has a fascinating history with local resident legends like Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp and Kid Curry and a laundry list of famous visitors including President Taft, “Teddy” Roosevelt, the “Unsinkable” Mollie Brown, Al Capone and other 1920s gangsters. It’s even home to the world’s largest hot springs pool and the only mountaintop amusement park in the U.S.

WHERE TO STAY

**GLENWOOD HOT SPRINGS RESORT & HOTEL 1888**

*A Historic Hotel in the Heart of Town*

The Glenwood Hot Springs Resort has deep roots in the history of Glenwood Springs. On July 4, 1888, it opened its doors boasting the world’s largest hot springs pool, a natural healing wonder that drew crowds to the newly established town.

Today, the Grand Pool still proudly bears that title and the resort features a 107-room lodge, seven expansive pools, a full service state-of-the-art athletic club, gift shop and grill. It is also located right in the heart of town just steps from the pedestrian bridge that crosses the Colorado River into downtown making it an ideal place to stay.

The rooms at the resort’s lodge were recently renovated offering spacious rooms with private balconies. Below are just a few of the features.

Bath Robes
Coffee Makers and Mini-Fridges
55-Inch Flat Screen TVs
Premium Linens, Extra Towels, Extra Pillows
Ample Storage Space
Irons and Ironing Boards
Room Safes
Hair Dryers
High Speed Internet
Free Parking
Full Access to All Pools

Hotel 1888 - Debuting June 12, 2025, Hotel 1888 at the Glenwood Springs Hot Springs Resort & Spa is going to be the premier place to stay. This boutique hotel is located in the historic Stone Bath House that was built in 1890, just two years after the resort opened on July 4, 1888. Part of the Stone Bath House was renovated to offer 16 tastefully decorated, spacious rooms, each one unique including two signature suites, one with a large balcony overlooking the Grand Pool and the other with an original fireplace and views of the Colorado River and downtown. It is rich in history and designed with luxury in mind. It will also offer guests special access to the 1888 Bistro for complimentary breakfast as well as the world class Athletic Club next door and all of the hot springs pools including the new Yampah Mineral Baths.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL, GLENWOOD HOT SPRINGS RESORT POOLS

**Check-in** - Get settled in your accommodations at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort and Hotel 1888. Standard check-in time is 4 pm, but you can always call ahead or drop by the front desk to inquire about checking in early. The hotel has ample free self parking. If you arrive early and need to pass the time, you can always ask to visit the hot springs pools or take a stroll across the pedestrian path just steps away from the property for a short walk into the heart of downtown where you will find all sorts of boutique shops, quaint coffee houses, and great restaurants you can enjoy.

**Visit the Glenwood Hot Springs Resort Pools -** After getting settled, head to the Grand Pool, the world’s largest hot springs pool spanning 405 feet long and 100 feet wide, holding over 1 million gallons of water. This historic Grand Pool is fed by the Yampah Spring that has been flowing at a rate of 3.5 million gallons of mineral water daily.

The resort features seven pools including the Yampah Mineral Baths, a collection of five private pools offering a serene and peaceful atmosphere that transition into an adults only area after 5 p.m. each day.

**Dinner at Frida** – A great spot for dinner on your first night is Frida Authentic Mexican Restaurant located just a short 5-minute drive from the hotel with ample parking. This themed restaurant is absolutely darling donning artwork featuring the infamous Frida Kahlo that captures her soul and spirit. You will taste the rich authentic flavors of Mexico in every dish and they serve the best margaritas in town.

DAY 2 - EXPLORE DOWNTOWN, DOC HOLLIDAY COLLECTION & GRAVESITE

**Breakfast at Bluebird Cafe** - Grab breakfast at a local favorite, Blue Bird Cafe located on Grand. You can walk here from Glenwood Hot Springs Resort by simply crossing over the pedestrian bridge that passes over the river. This warm hearted cafe features a variety of healthy, delicious breakfast options, pastries, quiche, espresso drinks and more. It also features art for sale by local artists along the walls. They even have a few potted plans to greet you, each one named.

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**Doc Holliday Collection** - After breakfast, head to Bullocks Western Wear just steps away from Blue Bird Cafe and visit the Doc Holliday Collection. The collection is housed in the lower level basement area of the store.

It’s an impressive collection of historical artifacts and interesting items from a time when Doc Holliday moved to Glenwood Springs in hopes of treating his tuberculosis with the natural healing properties of the area’s mineral springs. The store sits where the Hotel Glenwood once stood before a fire destroyed it in 1945, and is the place Doc died in 1887. It is often said the store is haunted so beware of strange happenings.

Highlights of the collection include an engraved pocket watch given to Doc by Wyatt Earp, a derringer believed to have belonged to Doc and other period time pieces. You will also find the only standing wood beam and stone wall that are left from the original historic hotel.

**Hike to Linwood Cemetery** - Linwood Cemetery was established in 1886, and has also been referred to as the Pioneer Cemetery and Glenwood Cemetery. It’s the oldest existing cemetery in Glenwood and the final resting place of the infamous Doc Holliday, Harvey Logan aka “Kid Curry,” and many of the town’s pioneers. The hike to the grave is beautiful with sweeping views of the surrounding mountain scape. Although it starts off steep, it’s short and the way back is all downhill making it worth a visit.

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**Lunch at CO Ranch House** - Colorado Ranch House has a great lunch menu with a wide array of fun mocktails and an outdoor seating area with plenty of shade making it a fun lunch spot.

**Explore Downtown Glenwood Springs and the Frontier Museum** - After lunch, take a stroll through town and explore its many art instillations including numerous statues and the The Wings Art Installation - a collection of nine sets of butterfly and angel wings tucked away around town and in alleyways making them fun to find.

You can also visit The Frontier Museum, a Victorian style house built in 1905 that now houses historical exhibits about the local area including the Ute Indians and their connection to the town as well as local characters throughout history.

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**Dinner at The Pullman** - Enjoy dinner at The Pullman in heart of downtown. They have a cute outdoor seating area that’s great for people watching and some of the best food in town despite not having a very large menu. I highly recommend ordering something off their appetizer menu like their delicious pickled deviled eggs and enjoying a craft cocktail before your meal while you soak up the ambiance.

**After-Dinner Drinks at Doc Holliday’s Saloon & Restaurant** - After dinner take a short walk to Doc Holliday’s Saloon for a night cap. Just follow the 20-foot tall neon pistol leading the way. This iconic bar sits in the heart of town on Grand is decorated in a western theme with historic photos adorning the walls and a fun local vibe.

DAY 3 - FLY FISHING WITH ROARING FORK ANGLERS

**Breakfast at 19th Street Diner** – Today will be spent fly fishing with Roaring Fork Anglers. Your guide will likely reach out to you the day before to arrange things and discuss where you’ll be fishing. My recommendation, which was technically their recommendation to me, is to meet your guide at the nearby 19th Street Diner for breakfast. They serve all the classic breakfast favorites with the added benefit of being able to order sandwiches to go for lunch out on the water later in the afternoon. The even have gluten free bread.

**Fly fishing with Roaring Fork Anglers** - Glenwood Springs is known for some of the best fly fishing spots around including the Colorado River, Roaring Fork River, the Frying Pan, and Grizzly Creek, all with an abundance of trout. Roaring Fork Anglers is the premier fly fishing outfitter in town and you will have a couple of options in addition to where to go. You can take a guided half day or full day trip, and will need to decide between wading or floating. I opted for the full-day float trip down the Roaring Fork River, a 14 mile ride down crystal clear waters where you can experience the stunning scenery of Glenwood Springs from the water as bald eagles fly overhead and nest in the trees. The scenery is absolutely beautiful.

I had never been fishing before and was a little nervous. My guide Cole was not only experienced and knowledgeable, but he made it a lot of fun. I was able to catch two brown trout and four rainbow trout despite having no clue what I was doing.

*And yes, this might just be the worst photo ever of me but I don’t care because DID YOU SEE THE SIZE OF THAT FISH?*

Of course, I must admit, I would have caught about 15 more fish had I followed Cole’s directions better and been quicker to pull up when the fish bit. And let me tell you, they were biting like crazy and Cole knew right where to put me. It was a blast even for a novice like me.

Plus, I even saw a huge bear on the river bank! Not sure how much the guys appreciated me commenting that the bear sighting might’ve been the highlight of my day fishing but truly, it kind of was.

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**Dinner at Hotel Colorado** - The historic Hotel Colorado is located directly across the street from the Glenwood Hot Springs Resort making it an ideal location for dinner and drinks tonight. It is like stepping back in time the moment you enter its doors. Built in 1893, it still holds its old historic charm and the food and handmade craft cocktails are incredible.

Hotel Colorado was a popular playground for high society throughout history. After dinner, be sure to take a stroll through the lobby where you will find old framed black and white photos adorning the hallways featuring some of its most famous guests including many past presidents, gangsters from the roaring 20s, and the infamous “Unsinkable” Molly Brown who has a suite at the hotel named after her.

One of the most famous stories about the hotel involves President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt who stayed here many times in the early 1900s while on hunting expeditions. As legend has it, Hotel Colorado maids presented him with a stuffed bear pieced together with scraps of fine materials after an unsuccessful hunting trip to cheer him up. His daughter Alyce named it “Teddy” which led to the birth of the teddy bear toy as we know it today.

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**Drinks at Hotel Colorado** – If you don’t feel like calling it a night after dinner, grab an after dinner drink in Hotel Colorado’s historic bar or head to the outdoor terrace where you can grab a table or relax by a firepit in oversized chairs, drink in hand, gazing up at a canopy of stars.

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DAY 4 - WHITE WATER RIVER RAFTING WITH DEFIANCE RAFTING

**Breakfast at Rosi’s Little Bavarian Restaurant** - Rosi’s Little Bavarian Restaurant is located just down the street from the hotel. It has an incredible breakfast menu with all the comfort classics you’re looking for. They even have gluten free pancakes!

**White Water River Rafting with Defiance Rafting** - A 12.5 mile stretch of the Colorado River flows through Glenwood Springs offering incredible opportunities for white water river rafting. Defiance Rafting Co. offers daily adventures including half day float trips, half day trips with rapids, private tours, rentals and specialty trips. They provide you with all the gear you will need including wet suits to keep you dry which is highly recommended as you are about to get seriously wet.

White water river rafting is a must do for anyone visiting the area. Defiance Rafting offers all levels of excursions and the prices can not be beat. Their guides are experienced and knowledgeable and the entire staff treats you like family. They even have someone trail your ride taking photos so that you can memorialize the trip forever with keepsake photos at a nominal price.

Toward the end of our half day rafting, we even had the chance to get off the raft on the bank of the Colorado to experience a few hot springs pools at the river’s edge.

**Late Lunch at Glenwood Canyon Brewpub** - The Brewpub is one of my favorite spots because the food is fantastic and they cater to my need to be gluten free. However, they are perhaps best known for their fresh handcrafted beers, made in small batches with a 10 barrel production capacity on site. They also offer taps with year round beers, seasonal beers and ciders.

If you aren’t in the mood for an adult beverage, treat yourself to their house made root beer which is even better in a root beer float.

**Relax at the Glenwood Hot Springs Pools** - After a day river rafting, the late afternoon is the perfect time to relax back at the resort in the therapeutic mineral pools and even catch a sunset from the water. The hot springs pools contain 15 health boosting minerals that come straight from the Yampah spring known as “Big Medicine” in Ute. The benefits range from relaxation to improved circulation and even pain reduction making this the perfect thing to do after spending the last two days fishing and rafting.

Click here for a complete list of the health benefits of the minerals.

**Dinner at The Riviera Supper Club & Scratch Kitchen** - Enjoy dinner at a local favorite, the award winning Riviera Supper Club and Scratch Kitchen. This local gathering spot serves classic favorites with unique twists and has an outdoor eating area for dining al fresco. It is also walking distance from the resort.

DAY 5 - GLENWOOD CAVERNS ADVENTURE PARK AND IRON MOUNTAIN HOT SPRINGS

**Breakfast at The Grill at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort** - Glenwood Hot Springs Resort’s on-site restaurant The Grill offers a great poolside complimentary breakfast each morning. Today is a great day to take advantage of it. Just make sure to make a reservation the night before as they are required to ensure availability.

**Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park** - The Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is the only mountaintop theme park in the U.S. and the only way up is to take a scenic gondola ride up Iron Mountain. Here you will not only find fun rides, games and cave tours, but some of the most stunning views in all of Glenwood Springs and a full restaurant and bar.

**Take a Cave Tour** - Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park features two cave tours that typically start about every 30-45 minutes. They include the Historic Fairy Cave Tour and King’s Row Cave Tour, both of which take you deep inside Iron Mountain to the magical underground world of stalactites and stalagmites. This National Natural Landmark is the state’s largest show cave system and worth a visit. You can even upgrade your tour to a special black light tour where you will experience the fluorescence and Phosphorescence glow of the minerals as you illuminate the walls with your own handheld UV flashlight.

Pro Tip: On warm summer days, schedule cave tours for the mid-afternoon as the caves stay a cool 52°F year round offering an opportunity to beat the heat. Be sure to also bring a light weight jacket.

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**Ride the Rides** - There are 15 rides and attractions including roller coasters and swings for all age levels. Some of the most popular include the following:

Giant Canyon Swing - Soar 1,300 feet in the air over the edge of a cliff at 50 m.p.h.
Glenwood Canyon Flyer - Aerial swings.
Defiance Roller Coaster - An action packed Euro-Flight roller coaster.
Cliffhanger Roller Coaster - Steel roller coaster.
Alpine Coaster - A long ride full of twists and turns.
Wild West Express - A slower roller coaster with rolling hills and thrills.
Mine Wheel - Ferris wheel that spins.

Other things to do include exploring the Little Feet Playground opening Summer 2025, digging for fossils, panning for gemstones, a shooting gallery, gift shop and Candy Cave.

Pro Tip: If you plan on visiting the caves, purchase the Funday Pass online even if you’re not sure about the rides. It doesn’t cost much more and gives you the option to experience anything you might end up wanting to do once you reach the top. It’s also about $5 cheaper per ticket if purchased online in advance although doing so won’t save you time in line when checking in.

**Lunch at Lookout Grille** - Be sure to grab lunch while you are up at the adventure park at Lookout Grille for great mountaintop dining with sweeping views. They serve things like sandwiches, burgers, fries, nachos, and salads and even have a full bar.

If you don’t feel like eating here, you can also grab lunch at the Iron Mountain Hot Springs were you’re headed to next.

**Visit Iron Mountain Hot Springs and the “World Pools”** - Have you always wanted to experience Iceland's Blue Lagoon or the salty buoyancy of Israel's Dead Sea but haven’t had the time to travel? Iron Mountain Hot Springs is perhaps the most unique hot springs I’ve visited as it provides guests a way to do just that without ever leaving the states.

Its "World Springs" features 11 pools inspired by famous hot springs from around the world, perfectly recreating their unique mineral compositions so you can experience them for yourself, no passport required.

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World Pools include:
Blue Lagoon, Iceland
The Dead Sea, Israel
Banjar, Bali, Indonesia
Vichy, France
Hokkaido, Japan
Baile Tusnad, Romania
Kirsehir, Turkey
Yarrangobilly, Australia
Soda Springs, New Zealand
Chianciano Therme, Italy
Osaek Hot Springs, South Korea

**Dinner at Juicy Lucy’s Steakhouse** - After enjoying Iron Mountain Hot Springs, you can rinse off there or go back to the hotel to freshen up. Then head into town for dinner at Juicy Lucy’s, a traditional steakhouse located in an old 1800s building decorated in a modern casual, western theme. Juicy Lucy’s is known for its award winning food with quality steaks, fresh seafood, elk, lamb and more. Its diverse menu even offers vegetarian and gluten free options.

After dinner, stroll around town, visit the Doc Holliday’s Saloon again or enjoy a cappuccino and people watch.

DAY 6 - HANGING LAKE HIKE

**Breakfast at Sacred Grounds** - Before heading out to the trailhead for the hike to Hanging Lake, grab a quick breakfast and coffee at Sacred Grounds. They serve fantastic breakfast burritos and fresh bagels as well as numerous other breakfast options. You can also grab lunch to go if you prefer to eat lunch today on the trail.

**Hike to Hanging Lake** - The hike to Hanging Lake is only about 1.2 miles but the trail is steep, rigorous and rocky with a 1,200 foot elevation gain. Regardless, the stunning scenery and awe-inspiring waterfalls make it a favorite. The trail follows a side canyon on the north of Glenwood Canyon taking you to three main waterfalls - Hanging Lake itself where wispy tendrils of water cascade down into stunning emerald waters, Spouting Rock located 200 feet above it, and another near Bridge 3.

*Photo: Courtesy of J. Janus, iStock*

Unfortunately, the trail has been closed for repairs for quite some time following a fire and subsequent mudslides. However, the restoration is nearing completion and it’s expected to re-open on or around July 1, 2025. I was disappointed to have missed the opportunity to see it but it’s the perfect excuse to come back later this summer.