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Glenwood Springs, Colorado is a lovely town located about 45 miles northwest of Aspen. Surrounded by scenic mountain views and home to popular hot springs pools, it certainly has a lot to offer. We had the chance to spend two fantastic days there. After hiking to Hanging Lake, visiting Rifle Falls State Park, and swimming in the world’s largest hot springs pool on our first day, we still had a lot to look forward to. So, we proceeded according to the plan, and spend our second day at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park , “America’s Only Mountain-Top Theme Park.” For our kids, this was one of the most anticipated days of our entire two-week Colorado road trip.
Buy a Funday Pass
Our day at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park started a little later than we had hoped. We had to pack up and check out of our hotel before heading there. Fortunately, the park wasn’t too far, so it didn’t take us long to get there. Hubby pulled up in the parking lot, and the kids jumped out excitedly, ready to hit some rides. We walked to the ticket booth and got our Funday Passes. They included everything: the Tram (gondola), Cave Tours, and unlimited Rides and Attractions.
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park ticket booth and entrance to the Tram gondola
TIP: If you visit Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park during the summer months, get the Summer Funday Pass. It is by far the best option, as it offers the most complete experience for a reasonable price.
Getting There is Part of the Fun
After we picked up our Funday Passes, we lined up for the Tram (the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park gondola). It was actually back in the parking lot that all of us first realized we would be taking a gondola up to the theme park. This was after all, “America’s only mountain-top theme park”, so it made perfect sense!
About to get on the Iron Mountain Tram (gondola)
When our turn came, we got into one of the Tram cabins, and made ourselves comfortable.
Iron Mountain Tram Ride
The gondola carried us out of the station and above the parking area. We were on our way to the top of Iron Mountain where all the rest of the fun awaited.
The kids were excited to spot our car from the Tram as we traveled right above it
Before long, an impressive panorama started to emerge in the distance. The town of Glenwood Springs was in clear view, nestled in the Roaring Fork River Valley, with mountain silhouettes as far as the eye could see. It was stunning, even though it did appear a bit hazy because of all the summer wildfires raging in neighboring states.
The view from the Tram: beautiful Glenwood Springs and the Roaring Fork River Valley
Our first view of the Alpine Coaster from the Tram gondola
When we arrived at the top of Iron Mountain, the kids jumped out of the gondola excitedly, and started urging us to hurry up. Apparently, they had already studied the park map, and decided where they wanted to go first.
Note: The park is getting a brand new Tram gondola, so it will close down on October 29, 2018 and reopen in the middle of March, right before Spring Break.
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park Thrills and Chills
We walked out of the Tram station and across the park’s main Plaza, while trying to keep up with our girls. The Plaza looked so welcoming and cozy. Off to one side, there was a gemstone panning sluice, and a small Snack Shack. The Mine (ferris) Wheel stood right in front of us, and right near the Tram station were the park’s gift shop and Lookout Grille.
Giddy Up, a tiny ride for tiny kiddos
Angie and Dani resting on a really big chair at the Plaza
Kids sitting near the Gemstone Panning sluice on the Plaza; We all LOVED these adorable, wooden bears
As we continued walking, I thought how fun it felt to be in an amusement park on a beautiful, sunny day, and not have to fight huge crowds. The place certainly wasn’t empty, but there was plenty of breathing room. We happened to be there on a Tuesday, which probably had something to do with it. I can only imagine that on a beautiful weekend, it would be a lot more crowded.
The kids rushing towards the Alpine Coaster
Alpine Coaster
We walked around the refreshments stand at one end of the Plaza, and came to the ride our kids wanted to try first – the Alpine Coaster. This was an interesting ride, because it featured individual cars instead of a train like you see on most roller coasters. The really fun part was that you got to control your own speed by using a pair of levers.
We lined up and while waiting, watched a short instructional video on how to operate the coaster cars. It was very simple, really! Push the levers down to go faster, pull them up to slow down.
One Fun Ride
When our turn came, we sat in the cars, strapped in, and off we went. I flew down the track first, followed by Angie, then hubby and Dani. Our younger daughter, Dani, was a bit short to ride by herself, so she shared a car with hubby.
Hubby and Dani all ready to start flying down the Alpine Coaster
Angie on the Alpine Coaster arriving back at the station after our first ride
The ride was a lot of fun, but the best part for me were the incredible views that we got to enjoy. I tried to snap a couple of photos. Just as I was holding my phone up, I noticed someone else’s iPhone resting on the grass near the coaster track. This is why they tell you back at the station to either use their bins, or keep your belongings in a secure pocket.
The amazing view from Alpine Coaster
View from the final lift hill of Alpine Coaster
The Missing Wallet
All of us enjoyed the ride on the Alpine Coaster so much that we lined up right away to go again. After we circled around for the second time, the kids were feeling a bit thirsty, so we went to the Snack Shack back on the Plaza to get some cold drinks. Just then, hubby reached for his wallet and realized it wasn’t in his pocket. He was quite sure he had it earlier, but now it was gone. Since the Alpine Coaster was the only ride we had been on, he figured it must have fallen out of his pocket somewhere along the track.
We went into the gift shop and talked to the park staff there. They took a report and assured us they would keep in touch and let us know if the wallet turned up. Luckily, I had my wallet, so we continued enjoying our day.
Haunted Mine Drop
The next ride we decided to try was the Haunted Mine drop. Hubby was the one who initiated this adventure. He saw on one of the information boards in the park that it was rated the number 1 best new ride by USA Today, so he was very interested to check it out. The kids, on the other hand, weren’t so sure this was something they wanted to experience.
First glimpse of the Haunted Mine Drop…on our way to the depths of Iron Mountain
We made our way to the Haunted Mine Drop building where we were greeted by a sign that read: “Sorry, we are open.” Spooked a little, Angie and Dani followed us inside, but I could tell they were not entirely comfortable with this. Luckily, the line wasn’t too long, so they didn’t have a lot of time to think it through.
We Live
When our turn finally came, we walked into a small, dim lit room with a couple more people. There, we saw a large screen and across from it, six seats mounted into the wall. All of us sat down, buckled in, and our poor kiddos clung to us as firmly as they could. I knew they were scared, and I give them credit for sticking it out and coming along for the ride. I had told them several times while waiting in line that they didn’t have to go, if they really didn’t want to.
Inside the Haunted Mine Drop building, we were greeted by a digital man to our cursed “job interview”
Once we were all strapped in, the room turned dark, and the screen lit up. I won’t go into specific details as to what we saw there, but the next thing we knew was we were free-falling into a pitch-dark abyss! Just as I was starting to wonder whether this fall would end well, we felt the lifesaving breaks and were slowly brought to the bottom. There, another spooky scene awaited us, but I will just let you check it out for yourself! Before long, we slowly started rising up towards the room, where we first started. At this point, it was no longer pitch-dark around us, but there were a few very dim lights, which allowed us to see the jagged stone walls of this chasm.
Dare to Drop
When it was all over, I noticed the kiddos were a bit fazed and quiet, but we made sure to let them know how brave and cool they were. I later came to find out that we had dropped 110 feet into Iron Mountain, which blew my mind. How in the world did they manage to dig this shaft?! I honestly thought the whole experience was pretty awesome! My advice is, don’t pass up the opportunity to check it out, even if you feel a few butterflies in your stomach. Definitely dare to drop!
Giant Canyon Swing
Another amazing ride that was close to the Haunted Mine Drop was the Giant Canyon Swing. It was exactly as the name implies, a giant swing that swings you right over the edge of the mountain. The kids looked at it, and right away said they weren’t doing that. Hubby and I, however, decided we wanted to give it a try, so we lined up in the fairly short line.
Looking at the Giant Canyon Swing from the nearby platform
When our turn came, we strapped in the seats with another couple behind us and waved at the kids. Our younger daughter Dani was “a little” worried, so she covered her eyes with her hands. Poor, sweet kid! I had no idea she would be so nervous to watch us swing!
Over the Edge
Once we got going, the swing sped up very quickly, and we were flying back and fourth, high above the ground. As we swung toward and over the cliff’s edge, it truly felt like we would be launched off the side of the mountain! I think this was one of the most mind-blowing rides I have ever taken. The views were truly beyond imagination! The Giant Canyon Swing was definitely among my most favorite rides in the park, along with the Haunted Mine Drop and the Glenwood Canyon Flyer.
Hubby and I on the Giant Canyon Swing above the abyss…and I am pointing at something
Lunch at Lookout Grille
After hubby and I were done scaring the kids by swinging over death-defying drop-offs, all of us felt hungry. It was getting close to 1:00 p.m., so we headed back towards the Lookout Grille, located at the main park Plaza.
Good Food, Amazing Views
We were seated right away and, although still a bit hazy, the panorama from the restaurant was so spectacular that we had a hard time focusing on the menu. We ended up ordering hamburgers and fries and, I have to say, they tasted delicious. That, combined with the views, made for a very enjoyable lunch experience, even though hubby’s wallet was still missing.
Walking at the Plaza towards Lookout Grille
After we finished all the food on the table, we were ready for more exciting adventures. At this point, hubby decided he would take the gondola back down to check if, by any chance, his wallet was still in the car. Meanwhile, the kids and I headed towards the rides.
Mine Wheel
We thought it might be fun to start with the Mine Wheel since it was a gentle ride and very close by. It certainly felt like the most appropriate thing to do on a full stomach.
Looking up at the Mine Wheel before climbing on board
We got in and stayed for about 5 or 6 turns. The most amazing thing about the Mine Wheel was once again the mountain views. It was absolutely worth spending a little time there.
We loved the view from the top of the Mine Wheel
Glenwood Canyon Flyer
After the Ferris wheel, the kids and I made our way to the Glenwood Canyon Flyer. This was truly a fun ride, and ended up becoming one of our family’s favorites.
Everyone is ready to fly on the Glenwood Canyon Flyer
Glenwood Canyon Flyer was one of those turning swing rides, where the seats hang down from the top, attached to cables. The unique thing about this specific one was that it stood right near the edge of a cliff! So, as the Glenwood Canyon Flyer turned, the seats lifted higher and, for part of each rotation, riders traveled completely suspended over a heart-stopping drop-off!
Kids pretending to be birds on the Glenwood Canyon Flyer
It was absolutely incredible, and we ended up going at least five times before hubby returned, still without his wallet, unfortunately. He joined us for a couple more turns on the ride. I know you must be thinking this sounds pretty scary, but while it made me a bit nervous at first, it was truly an amazing and peaceful experience. Trust me, you have to ride the Canyon Flyer at least once!
Here is what you get to fly over while on the Glenwood Canyon Flyer
The Caverns
After we were finally done flying over the canyon, the kids really wanted to go to the nearby Cliff Hanger Roller Coaster. Unfortunately, it was closed for maintenance, but park staff informed us they were expecting it to reopen within an hour. I thought this would be the perfect time to take a tour of one of the park’s caverns. We figured, if the park is named after them, they really must be worth visiting.
Hubby and I looked at the map and saw that there were two separate caverns, Fairy Caves and King’s Row, each offering guided tours. We weren’t sure whether we would have time for both, so I consulted with a couple park employees to see what they recommended. Both of them seemed to think that we should start with King’s Row, so we followed their advice and headed there.
TIP: Bring a light jacket or a sweatshirt on your tour to keep comfortable. The temperature in the caverns is 52 degrees Fahrenheit year round.
King’s Row Cavern It Is
We came to the entrance of the cavern, which was right across from the Haunted Mine Drop. There, we met one of the guides who told us the next tour would be in about 20 minutes. This was perfect, since it gave us a chance to grab some cold drinks and relax for a bit. Right in front of the cavern, there were benches under a canopy, so we could sit there and wait comfortably in the shade.
When it was finally time to go in, the guide gathered all the people who were waiting for the tour, and led us towards the entrance. She gave an interesting short talk about the history of the caverns in the park, and then we all walked in.
Cave Bacon Without Eggs
We started the tour in a beautiful, cool gallery, filled with unique formations. One of the most memorable among them was the flowstone, or “cave bacon.” It had formed on the ceiling from the continuous dripping of water. The kids were very excited to spot some particularly long pieces of bacon, and wished there were some cave eggs to go with it! According to our guide, the longest piece of cave bacon we saw was 15 feet!
Here is some cave bacon…looks delicious!
Beautiful stalactites and soda straws on the ceiling of King’s Row Cavern
From the main gallery, our tour continued down many stairs. We stopped at various points along the way to look at the more fascinating formations.
King’s Row Magic
After descending approximately 150 feet, we reached the final point of the tour, and the gallery for which the cavern was named. Our tour guide opened a door and we walked inside King’s Row. There, an array of lights illuminated a stunning number of unique formations. Not surprisingly, we learned that King’s Row was the most ornate cave room in the entire state of Colorado. Enhanced with the beautiful lighting, it looked truly magical.
Our first glimpse of the incredible King’s Row gallery, Colorado’s most decorated cave room
King’s Row room lit in blue, totally magical
We admired this view for a bit longer before our guide lead us back to the stairs. Slowly, we made our way out of the cavern, stopping along the way to catch our breath and discover new formations.
Wild West Express
When we finished our cave tour, the kids were ready to get back to the rides. They really wanted to try the Cliffhanger Roller Coaster but it was still closed. We continued walking until we got to a couple more rides that we hadn’t tried. One was a tiny roller coaster called the Wild West Express, which looked like a kiddie ride. I didn’t think the kids would be too interested because it basically just circled several times along a short looping track. Boy, was I wrong! Angie and Dani joined a whole bunch of other kids, and all of them rode this tiny coaster at least ten times, each time running to get back in line.
Angie and Dani on the Wild West Express
Meanwhile, I got some cold beer for hubby from the Overlook Grill and brought it near the Wild West Express. This way he could drink it while both of us watched the kids. I have to say, we thought it was pretty cool that the park allows visitors to just grab a beer and enjoy it on the go! This just makes everything that much more fun!
Soaring Eagle Zip Ride
Our next stop was the Soaring Eagle Zip Ride, right near the Wild West Express. This was a really fun and smooth experience. I just wish it were a bit longer since it offered such wonderful views. It was basically a short zip line with two comfortable pairs of seats attached to the cables. We were gently pulled up to the far end of the line, and then released to glide smoothly back to the station.
Angie and I getting strapped in for our zip lining adventure
Dani and hubby on the Soaring Eagle Zip Ride
All four of us enjoyed the Soaring Eagle, and the kids really wanted to ride it again, but it was getting late and the line was a bit long. Not to mention, we still had one more ride to try and it had just reopened.
Cliffhanger Roller Coaster
The kids ran excitedly up towards Cliffhanger Roller Coaster with us following closely behind. They had been waiting for a few hours to ride it and couldn’t wait to finally check it out.
All of us stepped up to the platform and got in the train. After everyone was strapped in, we started creeping noisily up the lift hill. Once again, breathtaking views of cliffs and mountains opened before our eyes. I just wanted to stay up there and enjoy it for a while longer. While I was admiring the scenery, we reached the top of the lift hill and a few seconds later accelerated down the first drop. This was a fun ride, but definitely not a very smooth one. There were a lot of sharp turns and sudden changes of direction, so hold on tightly and don’t demonstrate bravery by lifting your arms. This is quite a twisted little ride, and there are many steel beams and supports all around. You don’t want to risk smacking any of them while flying along the track.
The twisted track of Cliffhanger Roller Coaster
Our kiddos were quite excited after we got off the Cliffhanger Roller Coaster, so they asked to go again. We agreed to do one more run since there was no line at that time.
Final Stop, the Gift Shop
By the time we finished our second ride on the Cliffhanger Roller Coaster it was a little past 6:00 o’clock. Sadly, it was time to leave, since our plan was to drive to Grand Junction and spend the night there. We decided, however, to make one final stop at the Gift Shop. Hubby wanted to check on the status of his missing wallet, and I wanted to buy a wooden bear. Of course, as soon as we walked in, the kids started asking for all kinds of stuff, so we tried to make it a quick stop. I found the bear I wanted, but hubby had no luck with his wallet. I do have to say though that the people that he talked to were great. They took some information including his phone number and promised to give us a call if it turned up.
The Iron Mountain Tram and the Colorado River illuminated by the late afternoon sun
So Long Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park
We thanked everyone for being so caring and helpful and went to wait for the Tram. The gondola was our final ride of the day and it was beautiful!
Waiting at the Tram station for our final ride of the day
On the way down, our kids couldn’t stop talking about all the rides and fun they had. Meanwhile, I enjoyed taking in the golden hues of the late afternoon sun. If we hadn’t lost hubby’s wallet, this would have been truly a perfect day!
One last beautiful view of Glenwood Springs from the Tram gondola
One thing was for sure, we would always remember our fun day at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, “America’s only mountain-top theme park!”Our drive to Grand Junction was uneventful, although quite beautiful. Once there, we got a quick bite at Chipotle and checked into our hotel for the night.
Missing Wallet Update
On the following morning, we went to see Colorado National Monument, and right after we passed the entrance, hubby’s phone rang. It was one of the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park staff members calling to inform us that they had recovered hubby’s wallet! Apparently, they had walked around the tracks of the Alpine Coaster early in the morning, and found it there. We were extremely excited and grateful for this amazing customer service. In the end, our day in Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park was indeed perfect, filled with adventures, fun…and caring, helpful staff to top it off!
Special Thanks
We would like to thank Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park for providing us with Funday Passes. We had an absolutely amazing time, and want to be sure to mention that while our visit to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park was a sponsored activity, all opinions expressed in this article are our own.
Resources to Help Plan Your Trip to Glenwood Caverns and the Area
- The Official Website for the Park – Visit the official website for Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park to find the most up-to-date information about the current status of all the rides and much more. Be sure to check out the interactive map
- The Official Lodging, Dining & Activity Guide to Glenwood Springs – Here is the official website for Glenwood Springs. Stop by to discover everything there is to do in this beautiful Colorado town
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32 comments
Hi mama! I love your article! I remember all those lovely adventures with you, Dani, and Daddy! And the pictures are awesome! Good thing Daddy found his wallet! 😂
Hey Angie! I loved being there with you kids! It was an amazing day for sure! 🙂
What a fun day! Those rides look fantastic. And the view … wow.
I knoooow! The view was the greatest! 😉
How fun! We have something similar in Gatlinburg, TN and it’s great. Glenwood Caverns looks like a sweet place to visit and I will put it on my to do list.
…And I would love to check out Gatlinburg! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by Shirley! 😉
Oh my goodness this all looks so fun! Especially this zip line and the flyer!
Ooooh, yess! We LOVED the flyer! 🙂 My other personal favorite was the Giant Canyon Swing! 🙂
What a beautiful area! It looks like your kids had a blast! Such fun family memories. I haven’t spent much time in CO and this post made me realize we should add it to our list!
Thanks Allison! I would definitely recommend planning a trip to Colorado! It is so beautiful and there is so much to do! 🙂
The views look amazing!
I knoooooow! We LOVED the views! This was certainly the most unique thing about the park! 🙂
Beautiful pictures! Looks like a great time! Colorado is on the bucket list!
Thanks so much Gail! Colorado is one of our favorite states for sure! 🙂
This place looks awesome! That giant canyon swing would be thrilling and terrifying!! Would you recommend children ages 3 and 6 to visit this park? Or wait for them to get a little bigger?
Hi Jocelyn! Yesss! There is plenty of great stuff for the younger kiddos as well! I think they would have a lot of fun! 😉
Love the views from the Alpine Coaster, amazing! Such a cool place.
Thanks so much Deanna! This was our kids’ favorite ride. They still talk about it! 🙂
What an amazing time! There was certainly plenty to do!
It was a ton of fun for sure! 🙂
What gorgeous views! But I’ll enjoy them with my feet planted on the ground and not that canyon swing 🙂
Hahaha! I knooow! A lot of people are “a bit” worried when it comes to the Canyon Swing. I thought the Haunted Mine Drop was the real crazy one…but we loved it all! Where else can you experience falling in a mine shaft or getting catapulted over the edge of a cliff and still come out of it alive??? LOL 🙂 🙂 🙂
Wow, this really does look like a wonderful family adventure! Colorado is such a beautiful state and has so much to offer.
Oh, yesss! We love Colorado! We always discover something new and exciting there! 🙂
Glenwood Springs looks like a beautiful place. Love the pictures and your girls are brave…some of those rides looked scary. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for stopping by, Naomi! It was really beautiful! 🙂
Tons of amazing views and what a unique experience. That Canyon Swing, though? Yeah – you can enjoy that one. LOL ~ not for me. This place does seem like it has some amazing experiences for the family and what a scenic place to visit!
Hahaha! 🙂 Yesss! There are a couple of rides that not everyone would want to try, but you can find plenty of less scary fun…and the caves are stunning! 🙂
Looks like an amazing day! Such a cool place.
It was really great! 🙂
This looks like such a cool place! The caves look like so much fun, plus all the other stuff there…looks like a great trip.
It really was great! 🙂