Glenwood Springs with kids is the perfect Colorado getaway that’s close enough for a long weekend but exciting enough to keep kids of all ages entertained. Located just over three hours from the Denver metro area, it offers the perfect mix of outdoor adventure, family-friendly attractions, and small-town charm.
Whether your family enjoys amusement parks, hiking, hot springs, or exploring somewhere new, Glenwood Springs has something for everyone. After spending four days there this summer, I came home with plenty of favorite memories and practical tips that would make planning even easier. If you’re considering a trip, here’s everything I’d tell a friend before they hit the road.
Know Before You Visit Glenwood Springs
Distance from Denver: Approximately 3 hours
Recommended Length of Stay: 3-4 days
Before you leave, check COtrip.org or the CDOT app for current road conditions. The Glenwood Canyon corridor is one of the most scenic stretches of I-70, but it’s also prone to weather-related closures, rockfall mitigation, and construction delays throughout the year.
If your schedule allows, leave early in the morning and travel on a weekday. You’ll avoid much of the weekend mountain traffic and have a more enjoyable drive.
One thing I never travel to the mountains without is a small carsick kit. The winding roads west of Silverthorne can be tough on little tummies. Mine includes kids’ Dramamine, emesis bags, wipes, hand sanitizer, paper towels, and an extra change of clothes. Let’s just say I was glad we had it on this trip!
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park
If you’re traveling with little ones, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park should be at the top of your list.
The adventure starts before you even reach the park. Riding the gondola to the top of Iron Mountain offers incredible views of Glenwood Springs below, and my kids were completely captivated the entire ride, spotting our hotel, watching the Colorado River wind through town, and looking for wildlife on the mountainside.
Once you’re at the top, you’ll find rides, cave tours, and attractions for nearly every age. If your kids haven’t experienced a major amusement park before, this feels like the perfect introduction. Our family favorites were the Alpine Coaster, where you control your own speed down the mountain, and the Wild West Express, a family coaster that’s exciting without being too intimidating.
One thing I really appreciated was that the park offers attractions for a wide range of heights. While our six-year-old was tall enough for nearly everything, our four-year-old twins still had plenty of rides they could enjoy. Before you purchase tickets, I’d recommend taking a quick look at the height requirements online to make sure the Funday Pass makes sense for your family.
The biggest surprise of the day, though, was how much everyone loved the cave tours. We toured both King’s Row and the Fairy Caves, and they ended up being one of the highlights of our trip. The caves stay around 52°F year-round, so stepping inside was a welcome break from the summer heat. The guides kept the kids engaged by pointing out fascinating rock formations and explaining how the caves were formed. By the end of the tour, my kids were proudly identifying stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstone.
Mom Tips
Best For: Families with kids 4+ and first-time amusement park visitors.
- Purchase the Funday Pass for the best value.
- Check the height requirements online before purchasing tickets.
- Bring a backpack with refillable water bottles, snacks, sunscreen, and light layers.
- Watch the weather forecast. Afternoon thunderstorms can temporarily shut down the gondola.
- The gondola closes at 6:30 p.m., and you can re-enter the park at any time as long as you keep your wristbands on.
Glenwood Hot Springs
Visiting the hot springs is one of the best experiences in Glenwood Springs with kids. Glenwood Springs is home to two popular hot springs, each offering a different experience for families.
Glenwood Hot Springs Resort
We ultimately chose Glenwood Hot Springs because we were traveling with young kids and wanted a destination where the kids could be active all day.
Glenwood Hot Springs Resort is home to the world’s largest mineral hot springs pool, complete with a diving area popular with older kids and teens. While the main pool is impressive, the real highlight for our family was the Sopris Splash Zone, where our kids happily bounced between the slides, waterfalls, splash playground, and shallow pools for most of the day.
Mom Tips
Best For: Families with toddlers through teens who want to spend a full day swimming, playing, and relaxing together.
- Visit on a weekday for smaller crowds and slightly lower admission prices.
- The Sopris Splash Zone opens at 11 a.m. Seating nearby fills quickly, so arrive a few minutes before opening if you want a prime spot.
- Coast Guard-approved life jackets and puddle jumpers are allowed in the pools but must be removed before using the slides.
- Pack goggles if your kids have sensitive eyes.
- Outside food and drinks are not permitted, but refillable water bottles are encouraged.
- Younger riders may enjoy the Shoshone Shoots more with an adult, even if they meet the height requirement.
Iron Mountain Hot Springs
If your family prefers a quieter, spa-like experience, Iron Mountain Hot Springs is another excellent option. The resort features more than 30 mineral soaking pools overlooking the Colorado River, plus a freshwater family area designed for children.
Although we chose Glenwood Hot Springs this trip because of the larger splash area and kid-focused attractions, Iron Mountain is on our list for a future visit, especially as our kids get older.
Mom Tips
Best For: Families with older children, teens, or parents looking for a quieter, spa-like hot springs experience.
- Reserve your admission online, especially during summer and holiday weekends.
- The Family Pool welcomes children, while many of the smaller soaking pools are designed with relaxation in mind and are 21+.
- Bring flip-flops for walking between pools.
- Consider visiting in the evening to enjoy the mountain views at sunset.
Hiking near Glenwood Springs
Glenwood Springs offers everything from bucket-list hikes to easy family walks, making it easy to find an outdoor adventure that fits your crew.
Hanging Lake
Hanging Lake is one of Colorado’s most iconic hikes, known for its turquoise water and dramatic canyon scenery. Although the trail is only 1.2 miles each way, don’t let the distance fool you. The hike gains over 1,000 feet of elevation and is considered strenuous. We ultimately decided to save it for another trip when our kids are older, but it’s worth considering if you’re traveling with experienced hikers or older kids.
Reservations are required year-round, so check availability, trail conditions, and purchase tickets at visitglenwood.com.
Mom Tips
Best For: Families with older kids, teens, or experienced young hikers looking for a rewarding challenge.
- Reservations are required year-round and cost $12 per hiker for the permit.
- Plan for approximately 2 to 3 hours to complete the hike.
- Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring plenty of water.
- Check trail conditions before your visit, especially during spring runoff or after storms.
Rifle Falls State Park
If you’re traveling with younger kids or simply want a more relaxed outdoor adventure, I can’t recommend Rifle Falls State Park enough.
Located about 40 minutes northwest of Glenwood Springs, Rifle Falls is home to a spectacular triple waterfall, easy walking trails, and one of the coolest surprises of our entire trip: the caves hidden behind the falls.
We packed a picnic lunch and spent several hours exploring. The short, mostly flat trail was easy enough for little legs but adventurous enough to keep everyone entertained. My kids climbed through the caves, balanced on rocks, and marveled at the waterfalls.
One of my favorite moments came when they started pointing out stalactites and stalagmites they recognized from our cave tour at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. I hadn’t expected those two experiences to connect so naturally, but it made the whole trip feel even more memorable.
If you’re looking for an outdoor activity that’s scenic, fun, and doesn’t require an all-day commitment, Rifle Falls is hard to beat.
Mom Tips
Best For: Families with toddlers through teens looking for an easy hike with plenty to explore.
- Rifle Falls is about 40 minutes from Glenwood Springs.
- A Colorado State Parks Pass or daily entrance fee ($10) is required.
- Arrive in the late morning for the best combination of cooler temperatures and lighter crowds.
- Pack a picnic lunch. There are several scenic picnic areas throughout the park.
- Wear shoes with good traction since the rocks near the waterfalls can be slippery.
- Bring a flashlight if your kids want to explore deeper into some of the caves.
- Keep a close eye on younger children near the water and cave entrances.
Explore Downtown Glenwood Springs
Downtown Glenwood Springs quickly became one of my favorite parts of the trip. After busy days at the Adventure Park and Hot Springs, we loved slowing down by wandering Grand Avenue, browsing local shops, and enjoying the laid-back atmosphere. Whether you’re looking for a great meal, a sweet treat, or just an evening stroll, downtown is well worth exploring.
Where to Eat in Glenwood Springs with Kids
Traveling with kids means finding restaurants that make everyone happy, and Glenwood Springs had several that our whole family genuinely enjoyed.
Glenwood Canyon Brewpub was easily our favorite meal of the trip. The relaxed atmosphere, diverse menu, and kid-friendly options made it an easy win after a full day of exploring. The kids are also served their meal on a frisbee plate, and that novelty won us some major parent points!
We also had a great experience at Smoke Modern Barbeque. If your family enjoys barbecue, this is worth adding to your itinerary. The portions were generous, the food was delicious, and the kids’ menu made it easy for everyone to find something they liked.
Mom Tips
- Consider eating a little earlier during the summer to avoid the dinner rush.
- Most downtown restaurants are within easy walking distance of one another, making it easy to park and explore on foot.
- Check menus online to make sure there is a kids’ menu. We found several places that looked amazing but realized that the options for our picky eaters were limited.
- Outdoor seating is available at many restaurants during the warmer months.
Downtown Fun
One of my favorite parts of the trip was simply wandering downtown. My kids loved searching for the colorful butterfly murals, which turned into an impromptu scavenger hunt while we waited for dinner. We also stopped by Glenwood Toys and Gifts and ended the evening with ice cream from Sundae before strolling along the river. If you’re visiting during the summer, check the events calendar. We stumbled upon live music under the Grand Avenue Bridge, and it ended up being one of our favorite memories.
Mom Tips
Best For: Families looking for a relaxing way to end the day without another scheduled activity.
- Walk downtown in the evening when temperatures begin to cool off.
- Challenge your kids to see how many butterfly murals they can find while exploring.
- Check the local events calendar before your trip to see if any concerts, farmers markets, or community events are happening during your stay.
What surprised me most about Glenwood Springs wasn’t just how much there was to do. It was how easy the trip felt. Instead of rushing from one attraction to the next, we settled into a rhythm of one big adventure each day followed by a relaxing evening downtown. The kids had plenty of opportunities to explore, play, and discover something new, while we never felt like we had to squeeze every minute out of the day.
If you’re looking for a Colorado getaway that’s close to home but still feels like a true vacation, Glenwood Springs is worth adding to your family’s summer bucket list.
