This may be the most popular free hot springs in the area but in reality is not a hot spring at all. This is where the runoff form the Hot Springs pool comes out. It is located on the Colorado River bank right below where the eastbound on-ramp to I-70, at the main Glenwood Springs exit. It is fairly private considering that it is in the heart of Glenwood Springs, but is a popular place. Rafters often stop here and at night is popular because of easy access.
This hot spring is located right on the bank of the Crystal River. 2 Miles north of Redstone's North Entrance on Highway 133, look for the pullout on the river side. The downfalls of this hot spring is because of it's proximity to the Crystal river, high water may damage the spring and cover it and the pools are not always consistent as cold river water may flow through getting hot and cold flashes. The proximity to the highway cuts down on privacy. The benfits are spectacular views, bighorn sheep and accaisional moose across the river.
South Canyon Rapids are at the entrance of South Canyon on the Colorado River, 6 miles west of Glenwood Springs. They can be accessed via car by getting off at the South Canyon exit on I-70 and Crossing the bridge to park. This is a popular place with kayakers as the rapid has a powerful eddy that allowers kayakers to access the bottom part of the rapid over and over again with ease, and one of the highlights on an all day raft trip through Glenwood. There is a nice boat ramp here on the North side of the Colorado River and this can be and is a departure site for a lot of trips. There are fishing holes along here that can be accessed via the banks but they are fairly steep and most fishing through here is done on boats via guides. South Canyon in recent years has been the setting of two major fires, the Storm King Fire which originated across the river and the Coal Seam fire which started 4 miles up South Canyon. There are Hot Springs 1 mile up on the right hand side of the road. Park and follow the trail to the west over the creek and up the other bank. These have been destroyed a couple of times over the years but keep reappearing. Two pools able to hold about 10 people. The proximity to I-70 makes for a lot of diversity.
Glenwood Springs most famous and popular tourist attraction is the Hot Springs Lodge and Pool. Sitting right in the middle of town this is the first thing people notice as they drive through. With the design of architect Theodore Von Rosenberg and the Peachblow Sandstone buildings, this and the Hotel Colorado along with the train station define the ambiance of Glenwood Springs. The overall length of the pools is 529 ft., and a widest point of 100ft., this is the world's largest natural hot spring pool. The spring, Yampah puts out 3.5 million gallons of water a day at a temperature of 124 degrees farenheit. This is cooled for the Hot Pool to 106 degrees and 98 degrees for the large pool. The pool has two waterslides that are open in the summer months, and swim lanes for workouts. A snack bar and lounge chair rental, restaurant, sport shop, hotel, and an athletic club that besides a full workout facility offers the only raquetball/handball courts in town.