By Peggy Deland
Glenwood Springs, Colorado, is a small town near Aspen with a rich history and a thriving economy based on tourism. In 2008, Field & Stream magazine named Glenwood Springs the No. 1 fishing town in the U.S. If that's not your cup of tea, this scenic destination also is home to an enormous hot springs swimming pool, natural caverns, ski slopes and Doc Holliday's grave.
Fishing
Glenwood Springs is situated on four fly-fishing hotspots: the Roaring Fork River, the Colorado River, the Crystal River and the Fryingpan River. If you'd rather stay on shore, there also are dozens of lakes, ponds and streams around town. Several companies offer guided fishing tours or you can strike out on your own at public fishing waters. Contact the Colorado Division of Wildlife for information on license fees, regulations and bag limits.
Colorado Division of Wildlife
50633 Highways 6 and 24
Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81601
Telephone: (970) 947-2920
Glenwood Hot Springs
Glenwood Springs is home to the world's largest hot springs pool, measuring 405 ft. by 100 ft. Most of the water comes from the hot springs, but some freshwater is added to bring the temperature down to a comfortable 90 degrees. A smaller, 100-ft. therapy pool is available and is held at 104 degrees. Admission rates vary seasonally.
Glenwood Hot Springs
415 E. 6th St.
Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81601
Telephone: (970) 947-2955
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park
This unusual attraction is part Wild West theme park and part natural wonder. The park offers a bungee trampoline, roller coaster, swing-shot ride, mechanical bull, tours of two caverns and a variety of other activities for children and adults. If you don't mind getting dirty, the guided "Adventure Tour" and "Wild Tour" offer a genuine spelunking experience. A signed release of liability waiver is required for the rides, mechanical bull, climbing wall and the more strenuous cave tours.
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park
508 Pine St.
Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81601
Telephone: (800) 530-1635
Frontier Historical Museum
Although Glenwood Springs' museum isn't especially large, it does house a collection of more than 5,000 historic photographs and an extensive collection of archived records. The Frontier Historical Society also offers a series of presentations during the winter months and guided tours of Linwood Cemetery, where Wild West legend Doc Holliday is buried. The museum is open from May to September but hosts events year-round.
Frontier Historical Museum
1001 Colorado Ave.
Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81601
Telephone: (970) 945-4448
Sunlight Mountain Resort
If you're visiting in winter, Sunlight Mountain resort boasts a 52-degree ski slope--one of the steepest in Colorado. It's also home to the beginner-friendly Ute trail, which winds more than 2 1/2 miles down Compass Mountain. The resort receives about 250 inches of snowfall annually, and the slopes open in early December. Horseback riding, kayaking, rafting, hiking, fishing and a golf course are available during the rest of the year.
Sunlight Mountain Resort
10901 County Road 117
Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81601
Telephone: (800) 445-7931
About the Author:
Peggy Deland has been a writer and editor since 2007. Her articles appear on a variety of websites, including Life Unplugged and ConsumerSearch. Deland specializes in topics such as health, aviculture, science, green living and travel.
