Epic 2-Day Itinerary for Glenwood Springs Colorado

Nearly every year, we take a road trip to Moab, Utah, often stopping in Glenwood Springs for a night or two to explore the area. Nestled amidst majestic mountains and crystal-clear rivers, this small town is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Here’s our suggested two-day itinerary packed with biking, hiking, and hot springs in and around Glenwood Springs, best for summer or fall.

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If you are visiting Glenwood Springs on a road trip to Moab, you may also enjoy these posts:

• Top 10 Stops on Your Denver to Moab Road Trip
• 10 Things to Do in Moab, Utah Off-the-Beaten-Path

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Day 1

Morning: Biking and Hiking to Hanging Lake

Our Glenwood Springs itinerary kicks off with a bike ride through Glenwood Canyon to the Hanging Lake Trailhead. If you need to rent bikes, this is best done in Glenwood Springs. Hanging Lake Adventure Co-op offers bike and e-bike rentals, as well as fat bikes in winter. They also offer a shuttle to the trailhead in case you would like to bike only one way.

The Glenwood Canyon bike trail is a 10.2 mile (16.3 km) ride one way to the Hanging Lake trailhead, winding along the Colorado River. The path extends 6 miles past Hanging Lake to Dotsero if you’d like to add some biking mileage.

Once you reach the Hanging Lake rest area, lock up your bikes near the parking area. There are restrooms here and a ranger will check your timed entry reservation. Be sure to make your reservations well in advance. During the spring and summer of 2024, the forest service will be doing construction and permits may be further restricted. Check the Glenwood Springs site for more details and reservations.

Hanging Lake Hike

A must-visit, this natural wonder features a stunning lake suspended on the edge of Glenwood Canyon, accessible via a hike that’s rewarding year-round. I’d argue it is one of the best day hikes in the US. The hike does go straight up, so may not be a good fit for all hikers. There are plenty of spots to rest and catch your breath on the way up. If there’s snow on the ground, bring along micro-spikes and possibly poles to keep you from slipping, especially on the way down. 

Hanging Lake is a great spot to enjoy a picnic lunch. After enjoying lunch and the view of the lake, walk 200 meters further uphill to see Spouting Rock. This waterfall spouts from a rock face. After walking back to the trailhead, either bike back to Glenwood or take the shuttle back (this must be arranged in advance).

Hanging Lake Trail facts

• Distance: 3.1 miles roundtrip (5 km)
• Elevation gain: 1,187 ft. (362 m)
• Difficulty level: Moderate
• Pets: not allowed

Afternoon: Soaking in the Hot Springs

After the morning’s activities, spend the afternoon relaxing by visiting the world-famous Glenwood Hot Springs. Floating in the warm, mineral-rich waters with the sky turning pink and orange at sunset is a unique experience. Current day pass rates are $43 for teens and adults, $28 for children 3-12, and free under 3 years old. This provides access to the main pool, splash zone with slides, an open air tubing ride, fountain, and kiddie pool.

Evening: Explore Glenwood Springs

Spend your evening exploring downtown Glenwood Springs. For a local’s favorite, try the Riviera Scratch Kitchen, which serves scratch foods Wednesday-Sundays. For a more cost effective option, try Slope & Hatch for a unique twist on Southwestern cuisine.

Day 2

Morning: Maroon Bells

Day 2 of our Glenwood Springs itinerary starts with a trip out to the well known Maroon Bells. Known as one of the most photographed places in North America, the Maroon Bells does not disappoint. The reflection of the snow-capped peaks in the crystal-clear lake is breathtakingly beautiful. Fall foliage season in Maroon Bells is spectacular.

Driving to Maroon Bells

As you leave Glenwood Springs, you’ll have breathtaking views of towering mountains, verdant forests, and expansive valleys. Drive about an hour and park at the Maroon Bells Basecamp (Aspen Highlands Plaza).

From mid-May to mid-November, access from the basecamp to Maroon Bells via Maroon Creek Road requires a reservation. Cars can enter before 8 am or after 5 pm with a reservation. Between 8 am and 5 pm, access is restricted to shuttles only. Reservations can be made here.

Alternatively, take a bus from Glenwood Springs to Aspen. You can find schedules and fare information here. Blazing Adventures offers private shuttle service to Maroon Bells, including customized pick-ups.

There are a variety of easy, moderate and challenging trails once you reach Maroon Bells Lake. The 1.3 miles Maroon Lake scenic trail is the easiest in the area and is the perfect spot for a picnic lunch.

Biking to Maroon Bells

The Maroon Bells bike ride is one of Colorado’s classic bike rides. The ride from Aspen Highlands to Maroon Lake gains 1,300 ft (400 m) in 8.1 miles (13 km). The elevation at the summit of the ride is 9,100 ft (2,774 m). There are very few cars on the road between 8 am and 5 pm. Bikers still need to exercise caution especially on the steep downhill sections.

For those physically fit and adapted to the high elevation, this is a spectacular road bike ride. Otherwise, e-bikes may be the better choice. For convenient e-bike rentals in Aspen Highlands, try Maroon Bells E-Bikes. For road bike rentals, check AspenX.

Biking from Glenwood Springs to Aspen is also an option. The Rio Grande Trail runs 42 miles each way through the scenic Roaring Fork Valley. While it is mostly paved, portions are gravel. If you prefer to bike one way slightly downhill, you can take the RFTA bus with your bike to Aspen, riding slightly downhill on the way back to Glenwood.

Afternoon: Exploring Aspen and Iron Mountain Hot Springs

The journey continues to the charming town of Aspen. If you didn’t have lunch already, find a spot to enjoy your lunch in town while enjoying the mountain views. Take some time to explore the many galleries and shops in Aspen. You’ll find many local artists or galleries such as the Ann Korologos Gallery, who displays art inspired by Aspen.

The adventure then leads back to Glenwood Springs, where Iron Mountain Hot Springs await. These springs are nestled along the banks of the Colorado River, providing panoramic views of the surrounding mountains while you soak. There are 32 pools, primarily mineral pools with 1 freshwater pool. The 16 main pools vary in size and temperature. They have added 11 WorldSprings pools, which mirror the mineral content in the pools they are named after (e.g., Iceland, Bali).

Base pricing for the 16 main pools is $40-$52 for 3 hours, while pricing including the WorldSprings is $55-$67 for 3 hours. Full day pricing is available. The pools are open until 10 pm in case you prefer to make this an evening activity.

If you would prefer a non-aquatic afternoon, visit the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. You’ll need to take a gondola if you’d like to go to the adventure park. They offer cave tours, thrill rides like the giant canyon swing, and family friendly rides.

Evening

After dinner in town, head up to Sunlight Ski Area for some stargazing. It is quite dark at night, giving you a perfect opportunity for stargazing and to unwind after your busy itinerary in Glenwood Springs. If you prefer a spa evening, visit the Yampa Spa and Vapor Caves.

If you’re looking for a weekend getaway that combines adventure with relaxation, Glenwood Springs is the place to be. Pack your bags, bring your spirit of adventure, and get ready to create memories that will last a lifetime.

Where to Stay

• Hotel Denver is located downtown yet just a 10 minute walk to the Glenwood Hot Springs.
• Hotel Glenwood Springs: is a clean and quiet hotel with a great pool with waterslide for kids. It’s located just under the gondola to the adventure park.
• Hotel Colorado is a historic hotel with a convenient location to the hot springs.
• Residence Inn by Marriott is a newer hotel with studios-2 bedrooms with kitchens. Note that it is not a short walk from here to the hot springs area.

How to Get to Glenwood Springs

Glenwood Springs is accessible and inviting to both road trippers and train enthusiasts alike.

If you’re driving, the town is conveniently situated along Interstate 70. Glenwood Springs is on average a 2.5+ hour drive west of Denver. Airport transfers from Denver International Airport are also an option.

Eagle Airport is just 35 minutes from Glenwood Springs. Airport transfers are available here.

For those preferring to sit back and soak in the views without the focus required for driving, taking the Amtrak train offers an equally enchanting experience. The California Zephyr line, which runs from Chicago to San Francisco, stops in Glenwood Springs daily, providing passengers a unique opportunity to witness the rugged landscape of Colorado from the comfort of their seat. You’ll get panoramic views of the Rockies, passing through tunnels and over bridges, making the travel to Glenwood Springs part of the adventure.

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