Need suggestions for late October visit (Denver, Colorado Springs: hotel, airport, pool)

[daisy2010]

I am tentatively visiting Colorado in late October and am looking for a suggestion regarding where to go. I love to hike and I love hot springs so I would like to combine these two activities. I know the weather is uncertain in many of the best hiking areas in October and other posts suggested going to Utah instead but I've already seen a great deal of Utah and late October is the only time I can travel. I would like to be within 1-1-1/2 hour of an airport since I will only have about 4-1/2 days on the ground and don't want to waste it driving long distances. Any ideas? I've already been to Durango 2 or 3 times and to Pagosa. I've been reading about Glenwood hot springs area--how is the hiking there? What about the area south of Colorado Springs near Salida?

[Mike from back east]

Daisy; we've a number of threads on here about that, find them by using the Advanced Search tool, it's easy.

- Click on Search
- Click on Advanced Search
- Enter HOT SPRINGS in the search box.
- Select SEARCH TITLES ONLY
- Select SHOW THREADS
- Select COLORADO from the list of forums
- Hit return

You'll get about eight threads, none too long, with info about Hot Springs around the state.

If you're flying into Denver, you can't really go wrong driving up to Glenwood Springs, once of the largest and best known. It's also a gorgeous drive through the Rockies, and it can be snowy at times in late October but CDOT does a great job plowing it quickly.

[wanneroo]

There is a little bit of hiking in the immediate Glenwood area, but not a lot. There is more closer to Aspen, but the weather is definitely tilting towards winter that time of year, so you will need to be prepared for winter conditions especially once you trek above 7000 ft.

[80skeys]

Originally Posted by daisy2010

I've been reading about Glenwood hot springs area--how is the hiking there?

I don't know about the immediate Glenwood area, but there's some great hiking in a 20 mile radius of it. There are several wonderful wilderness areas. I like the hot springs there too.

[Idunn]

For shame I have not been there, but the Mt. Princeton hot springs near Buena Vista (Nathrop, most closely) might be ideal.

While lots to recommend Glenwood Springs in general, the springs there, and the surrounding area, the springs still take the form of a large, seemingly Olympic-size, pool located adjacent to I-70. Interstates and hot springs are not good companions in my opinion. Moreover do not expect much privacy or serenity in such a large and public pool. But of course the drive from Denver on I-70 is beautiful.

If no interstate, the drive from Denver to Buena Vista would be about the same time-wise. As said, I've never been to these springs, but they are undeniably in a beautiful region, with surely some fine hiking nearby, and said to have more of a natural ambience.

A couple references:
Colorado Hot Springs - Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort
Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort (Nathrop, CO) - Resort Reviews - TripAdvisor

[SheridanL]

The best Hot Springs in Colorado is ....Strawberry Park,..Steamboat Springs!!! Great hiking, etc.!!! Google it, you'll see!!!
Of course, the closest airport (small) is Eagle/Vail!!!

[proveick]

Joyful Journey is south of Salida over Poncha Pass. Very nice hotsprings / spa. RP

[Snikt]

Don't know if you're into skiing, but A-Basin and Loveland should be open by then if you want to get some very early skiing in

[sunsprit]

[quote=SheridanL;20988565]The best Hot Springs in Colorado is ....Strawberry Park,..Steamboat Springs!!! Great hiking, etc.!!! Google it, you'll see!!!
Of course, the closest airport (small) is Eagle/Vail!!![/QUOTE]

Really? Isn't the Hayden airport only about 20 miles West of Steamboat Springs?

[80skeys]

Originally Posted by Idunn

While lots to recommend Glenwood Springs in general, the springs there, and the surrounding area, the springs still take the form of a large, seemingly Olympic-size, pool located adjacent to I-70. Interstates and hot springs are not good companions in my opinion. Moreover do not expect much privacy or serenity in such a large and public pool.

There are other pools in addition to the large ones, and there are also underground/cave pools for soaking.