Glenwood Springs

Understand

Glenwood Springs is located at the confluence of the Colorado River and the Roaring Fork River, in the Roaring Fork Valley. The two rivers shape the town. They provide world-class fly-fishing, whitewater rafting, and now kayaking.

Originally named Defiance, in the late 1800s, the name was changed by settlers from an Iowa town called Glenwood. Many of the nearby towns (Aspen and Leadville) had their booms while Glenwood Springs was yet in its infancy. Glenwood Springs was difficult to reach due to the canyons to the east and west; it was also located on Ute land. The town grew in part thanks to its location on the railroad and the Colorado River.

The local area is surrounded by public lands, especially the White River National Forest, which attracts hunters and campers from great distance. The Grand Mesa is to the west and the Flattops Wilderness area dominate to the North. The Flattops is a very large area offering unlimited high-country exploring. The Four Mile recreation area (to the South-west)offers easier day mountain access favored by locals. Glenwood Springs is a truly great place to access all the Rocky Mountains have to offer.

In terms of culture (and ski-appeal) it is hard to overestimate the role of Aspen. Glenwood Springians may not want to actually live in Aspen, but they do appreciate being able to commute to a cultural mecca.

Up the valley are Carbondale, Basalt, Snowmass and Aspen. To the west are New Castle, Silt and Rifle.

Get in

By plane

There is a city airport in Glenwood Springs, but it only accommodates small private planes. The Garfield County Airport, between Silt and Rifle is about 40 minutes away. It accommodates larger planes, but does not offer commercial flights.

The closest cities with airports that accommodate commercial flights are:

• Eagle-Vail (35 minutes... recommended) - this airport is located between Gypsum and Eagle. It offers free parking and is easy to get to from the highway (I-70). In the winter, there are direct flights to some hubs, such as Minneapolis and Dallas.
• Aspen (45 minutes, tough in traffic and common weather issues) paid parking and not much of it.
• Grand Junction (80 minutes by car)- this is convenient for travelers heading south and west.

By car

Driving from:

• Grand Junction. An hour and a half drive east on I-70.
• Vail. Just over an hour's drive west.
• Aspen. An hour's drive north.

By train

Amtrak serves Glenwood Springs with the California Zephyr, which runs daily between Emeryville (in the San Francisco Bay Area) and Chicago. The journey from Denver takes about five and a half hours. The scenic route is timed to pass through Glenwood Canyon during daylight hours both eastbound and westbound, and passes through parts of Colorado inaccessible by road. Glenwood Springs Amtrak is located on 7th Street.

By bus

• Bustang links Glenwood Springs with Denver, Frisco, Vail, and Eagle. Bus stops are located at the South Glenwood BRT Station (Glen Ave/Hwy 82 at 27th St) and the West Glenwood Park & Ride (Wulfsohn Rd at Midland Ave, west of the Glenwood Meadows shopping center).

Get around

Ride Glenwood Springs is a free bus service that circulates throughout the town every 30 minutes. RFTA Valley buses also traverse most of the town at separate 30 minute intervals. Its fare is based on the number of zones travelled, with free travel within each zone.

VelociRFTA is America's first rural bus rapid transit system. Buses labeled BRT GLENWOOD travel down valley and BRT ASPEN travel up valley.

Go next

• Colorado's Wine Country - Colorado is home to over 70 wineries and its own indigenous vineyards. Wine lovers can enjoy several scenic day trips from Glenwood Springs to many of the small towns that grow their own grapes. These lovely little communities include Montrose, Palisade, Paonia, and Hotchkiss, as well as the city of Grand Junction. Palisade is about 90 minutes away by car.