14 Jun Colorado Historic Hot Springs Loop
The Iron Mountain Hot Springs in Glenwood Springs is one of 19 stops on the newly formed Colorado Historic Hot Springs Loop.
Thermal springs flow abundantly throughout Western Colorado. Now, it’s easier than ever to visit them! Five premiere hot springs destinations have joined forces to form the Colorado Historic Hot Springs Loop. The 720-mile loop encompasses 19 stops in Glenwood Springs, Steamboat Springs, Chafee County, Pagosa Springs and Ouray and Ridgway. It’s the perfect summer or fall road trip! (See map below.)
Here in Glenwood Springs, you can enjoy our thermal waters in three very different ways, the Iron Mountain Hot Springs, the Glenwood Hot Springs, which is the world’s largest mineral hot springs pool, and Yampah Spa and Vapor Caves, a rare, naturally occurring underground steam bath.
The Iron Mountain Hot Springs is the newest in town, but has a history that dates back to 1896 when the West Glenwood Health Spa opened. The property changed hands several times over the next 100 years, also operating as the Wash Allen Bathhouse, Gamba Mineral Springs, the Glenwood Health Spa and the Fort Defiance Bathhouse. It sat vacant until construction of the Iron Mountain Hot Springs started in late 2014, with an opening the following summer.
Sixteen smaller, naturally shaped pools are filled with thermal mineral waters that range in temperature from 98 to 108°F and complete a total changeover every two hours. A quiet zone surrounds the soaking pools to allow you to relax, restore and rejuvenate in a peaceful setting. Each pool is different, with varying sizes, temperatures and heights; two pools have smooth stones on the bottom to massage aching feet. All are located alongside the Colorado River, with Rocky Mountain views that soothe and inspire.
Bringing the kids? The ADA-accessible family pool is filled fresh water that’s heated to approximately 93°F by the geothermal exchange. A smaller, elevated jetted spa rests on the edge of the family pool with a soaking temperature of around 103°F. You can enjoy the hotter water while watching the children below, with the calming sounds of a waterfall in the background as water cascades from the upper to the lower section.
Amenities include beautifully appointed locker rooms, a gift shop and a café. Visit IronMountainHotSprings.com for more information.
Learn more about the Colorado Historic Hot Springs Loop.
