Glenwood Springs

Glenwood Springs is a mountain town at the meeting of two rivers in the western ranges of Colorado at 1756 meters elevation. The settlement stretches along the Colorado River, surrounded by steep slopes and forested valleys that open to the north and south.

The settlement began in 1883 under the name Defiance and received its current name in 1885 after a town in Iowa. The thermal springs drew early settlers who built baths and lodgings for travelers.

The Hot Springs Pool has drawn visitors for more than a century who relax in the mineral water while looking up at the surrounding peaks. Along the main street, shops and cafés occupy buildings from the founding era, while locals spend time hiking and biking in the open air.

Public buses connect the town with surrounding mountain communities and Denver airport, with schedules varying by season. Most facilities and shops lie along a few main streets near the river bank and are reachable on foot.

The Strawberry Days Festival has taken place annually since the late 1800s and is considered the oldest continuing civic celebration west of the Mississippi. The event honors the early strawberry cultivation of the region with parades and market stalls in the town center.