Far to the NorthWest Barton Springs has a sisterspring, yet the waters here are warm (even hot!) and far more tame- no salamanders here! Glenwood Springs, Colorado is a bustling little town perched along the Eagle River, nestled in Glenwood Canyon. It is a shiny Tiger's Eye amid the wealthy diamond glitter of Aspen and Beaver Creek and a swimmer's delight.
The largest outdoor mineral hot springs in the world, and certainly the cleanest, Glenwood Springs' Hot Springs Pool, fed by the Yampah Spring, soothed the aches of gangsters, glamorous women and navy heroes alike. Today it is a favorite destination among the apres ski crowd, but its generous hours (nighttime is best, and discounts are available), and the growth of the attached spa are putting the Springs on the Map among its high class neighbors as the place to relax and swim.
The pool itself is divided into three sections, first a tiny water slide pool (open only during the day, and at extra cost), the main pool, which features a lap lane area and diving well, but which is for the most part around 3-4 feet deep, and like a regular swimming pool in all respects except the low-chlorinated warm (90 degrees F year round) spring water. And, the hot pool (104 degrees F), which is closest to the open Yampah Spring (the scents of sulphur waft in on friendly breezes) which features quarter-eating metal chairs with jets underneath. The Slide and main pool are very kid friendly, but there is no truly shallow beach area (like Barton Springs) for kids. The hot pool is simply too hot for children, or anyone with medical concerns. Even for the healthiest among us, over exposure in the hot "therapy pool" can cause dehydration, so limit your time there.
When to visit?
Trips during darkest winter will reward swimmers with the delight of snow falling and melting on you as you bask in the huge warm pools, disguised by the thick steam that lays like a fog, lending an otherworldly feel at night. Higher hotel rates dampen this joy, but the further from the slopes (Sunlight is close, as well as Aspen and Beaver Creek), rates can be affordable, and you can add skiing/snowboarding and snow shoeing to your swimming itinerary.
Summertime is also fun, the ground will not freeze your toes between the high locker rooms (your hair freezes in long ice dreadlocks in winter) and the hot pool is a bit overdone, but hotel rates are fantastically low, (try the nicer lodges in Aspen or Beaver Creek/Cordillera in summer), plus you can add fly fishing, hiking and visit Hanging Lake (unfortunately no swimming allowed).
The facilities are quite good, but upstairs from the pool/entry area. The Spa is undergoing a massive renovation which added to the nearby Vapor Caves will help put Glenwood back on the map among spa lovers.
Check out the pool website for closures and deals on Spa treatments, or stays at the attached hotel. The hotel is a deal for a large family, but nothing special in and of its self.
Bring a change of clothes, hair dryer (although there are often dryers available), quarters for the lockers and therapy pool chairs, shoes for anything out of the water in the wintertime, and a big warm towel as well. Floaties or noodles for kids or the lazy are a good choice as well, as much of the pool is too deep for kids to walk. Bring bottled water, but no glass.
For more natural water adventures, white water rafting is available on the Eagle River as well.
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