Hi fellow travelers, I hope you are beginning to explore again! Spring is here and with vaccinations on the rise and warmer weather, it may be time to step out of our isolation for a change of scenery. Travel has suddenly exploded as people are ready to explore the world and get to a different destination, then the one they have been in for quite some time. This makes everything from flights to hotels to cars impossible to find on the cheap. It also begs the question, do I want to throw myself into the large groups of people moving around the country just yet? If you live in Colorado you know that Spring is more like an extra month or two of Winter, it snows frequently and is cold. So, how do you get a pool vacation in the Rockies? I think I have found the answer, and much to my surprise it definitely felt like springtime.
If driving deeper into the Rocky Mountains, from Denver, Colorado sounds like you are going to be covered in massive amounts of snow, you would be wrong! In fact it feels much warmer on the western side of the state, something I would not have believed until I experienced it, even though I have lived here my whole life. Glenwood Springs, Colorado has a massive hot spring that is soothing and relaxing, and that it is also outdoors. How does that work? Won’t you freeze to death? Well, kind of, but the key is to time it when the weather will be mild. In April, that can be hit or miss, but if you can get a weekend where the temps don’t dip below 50 degrees, you won’t regret a jaunt to this magnificent part of the state for a little rejuvenation.
Just look at that gorgeous blue Colorado sky, the mountain is a pretty spectacular backdrop as well. The scenery is perfect for the hot springs and is really one of the essential pieces in order to relax. There are several lodges and hotels in Glenwood that are historical and beautiful, but if you want full access to the hot springs and the closest proximity to it, the best choice is the Glenwood Hot Springs Resort.
Glenwood Hot Springs Resort-
The lodge is right across the street from the hot springs pool facility, in the colder months you might want to dress like you are going skiing and bring extra clothes to stay warm. I recommend bringing your own towels, the towels they provide won’t keep you warm on the hottest of days and even though they give you as many as you want, it’s not sufficient enough. Getting to the hot springs early is a must, they open at 9:00 am and there is a line before that, as a lodge guest you will gain entry no matter what, but you may not get a chair close to the springs. Once you get out of the warm water, unless it’s the dead of summer, you will definitely freeze. I loved that they allow floats and pool toys in the large spring pool, the kids really enjoy having something to play with. In the warmer months Sopris Springs is open and it’s an area just for the kids to swim and play on the water slides. There is an option to rent a cabana for a full day or half a day. The prices are reasonable in the low season, but honestly, you don’t get much with it. There is no service and the cabanas are not close to the springs, so you will be walking up stairs and down paths which makes it less desirable. They do give you fluffier, bigger towels, but you will still need several of them to stay warm, if you go in early spring or the winter months. Their grill is great for lunch and snacks, but it does cost a fortune, they don’t allow you to bring in food to the springs just yet, due to COVID-19. On the weekends the pool gets very crowded and it can be difficult to find seating and a space in the pool, taking a dip during the week is less busy.
The rooms at the lodge are nice and overlook the hot springs, they are very expensive though. In the low season we paid $309/night, yes, this includes the hot springs resort fees and use of the springs, but in my opinion it costs quite a bit. The low season is also not the warmest of months and you won’t be able to fully enjoy the weather or the springs, since it can be cold.
The Town Of Glenwood Springs-
Oh my! This town is fantastic! Grand Ave is filled with shops and restaurants that are fun, delicious and festive. I loved the promenade that is set underneath the main street. It really is one of the more vibrant mountain towns I have been to in Colorado. We ate at a restaurant called the Juicy Lucy Steakhouse and it was fantastic, the food was great and the ambiance was frontier style, not too formal, which is a Colorado thing. They also have great options for kids, which at a steakhouse can be expensive. Walking along under the main street you find all sorts of shops and restaurants, the ice cream shop Sundae was glorious. Their selection of flavors are unique and they have endless toppings, the kids really loved it! In warmer months the patios are definitely the spot for people watching and taking in the mountain views.
The real rejuvenation lies in driving through the canyons, seeing the enormous rocks and rivers that define this part of the state, and soaking in a warm spring in the middle of it! I did not realize how unique and soothing Glenwood Springs could be, it is a must to experience if you are in Colorado. I know we will definitely be back!