Glenwood Springs

The Ute used these springs long before the resort; the pool was built in 1888 and at over a hundred metres long is among the largest mineral hot springs pools in the world, fed at around fifty degrees from the Yampah spring and cooled for bathing. The Yampah vapour caves nearby are natural steam caves - hot mineral water flowing through rock underneath produces vapour at around forty-five degrees, and the operator describes them as the only natural vapour caves in North America. Doc Holliday died in the town in 1887 of tuberculosis, having come for the waters, and is buried in the hillside cemetery. Glenwood Canyon east of town carries the interstate on stacked viaducts through a very narrow gorge.

What to look for

• A pool over a hundred metres long - built in 1888, fed at fifty degrees.
• Natural vapour caves - which the operator describes as the only natural ones in North America.
• Doc Holliday's grave - in the hillside cemetery above town.
• Glenwood Canyon - the interstate stacked through a narrow gorge.

When to go

Year round; winter bathing in snow is the local argument for cold months. A full day.

What to expect

The pool is busy and priced accordingly. Vapour caves are hot and airless - not for everyone. Canyon rockfall and fire have closed I-70 for extended periods. Holliday's exact grave location is unknown; the marker is approximate.

Nearby

Aspen is south up the valley; Hanging Lake is in the canyon east.

Key facts