Glenwood Canyon, carved over 3 million years by the power of the Colorado River and snowmelt from the Continental Divide, is the gateway to Glenwood Springs from the east. This extraordinary 16-mile canyon gives access to several hikes, a bike path and river rafting.
A day of excitement and exploration is waiting for you on top of Iron Mountain, where Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park brings out the kid in everyone. From the fully enclosed gondola you can take in the views almost 50 miles to the south, over Glenwood Springs and the Roaring Fork Valley, past majestic Mt. Sopris, to the peaks in Aspen. Once you’re at the top, it’s time to choose your adventures.
Hanging Lake is a crystal-clear, turquoise blue lake that is a short, steep, but rewarding hike that starts in Glenwood Canyon. Read more about hiking at Hanging Lake.
The Vapor Caves are said to purify body and spirit as they soothe away aches and pains. They are the only known natural vapor caves in North America, in which hot mineral waters flow through the cave floors to create a natural geothermal steam bath.
Yampah, which translated from Ute dialect means "big medicine", is the namesake of the Yampah Spa Vapor Caves—the only natural hot springs-fed vapor caves in the world.
Just a short drive from Glenwood Springs you can find places that have been set aside specifically for wildlife. The pinyon-juniper, sagebrush, montane shrub, and riparian environments support species from amphibians to large mammals. Elk , mule deer, rocky mountain bighorn sheep, coyote, rabbits, mink and muskrat all thrive here.
White River National Forest, at 2.3 million acres, is the largest forest in the state and spans over ten Colorado counties. It also has more visitors than any other forest in the nation.
