The Iron Mountain Hot Springs is a therapeutic, natural
hot spring
A hot spring, hydrothermal spring, or geothermal spring is a spring produced by the emergence of geothermally heated groundwater onto the surface of the Earth. The groundwater is heated either by shallow bodies of magma (molten rock) or by circ ...
s resort located on the banks of the
Colorado River
The Colorado River ( es, Río Colorado) is one of the principal rivers (along with the Rio Grande) in the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The river drains an expansive, arid drainage basin, watershed that encompasses parts of ...
in
Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Glenwood Springs is a List of municipalities in Colorado#Home rule municipality, home rule municipality that is the county seat of Garfield County, Colorado, Garfield County, Colorado, United States. The city population was 9,963 at the 2020 Uni ...
.
History
The first commercial use of the hot springs began in 1896 with the opening of the West Glenwood Health Spa. The spa changed ownership several times over the next century, operating under different names. In 1996 the existing spa structure was torn down, and the property remained vacant until 2014 when a new facility was opened in July, 2015.
Iron Mountain Hot Springs contains several natural hot springs, which range in temperature from 105 to 108 degrees F. These springs are fed into seventeen soaking pools, which range from 98 to 108 degrees F. The thermal water also heats the sidewalks and the resort buildings.
In November 2020, the owners of Iron Mountain Hot Springs proposed an expansion of the resort, subject to city approval. In December 2023, Interior Secretary
Deb Haaland
Debra Anne Haaland (; born December 2, 1960) is an American politician serving as the 54th United States Secretary of the Interior, United States secretary of the interior. A member of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party, she s ...
designated
Glenwood Caverns
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is an adventure park located above Glenwood Springs, Colorado, about west of Denver. Prior to 2003, only cave tours were available until a major expansion took place. The park is unique because it sits at an alti ...
and Iron Mountain Hot Springs a
National Natural Landmark
The National Natural Landmarks (NNL) Program recognizes and encourages the conservation of outstanding examples of the natural history of the United States. It is the only national natural areas program that identifies and recognizes the best ...
.
References
Glenwood Springs, Colorado
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