Glenwood Springs is located at the confluence of the Colorado River and the Roaring Fork River, in the Roaring Fork Valley. The two rivers shape the town. They provide gold-medal fly-fishing, world-class whitewater rafting, whitewater kayaking.

Back in the late 1800s, Glenwood Springs was named by white men arrived from an Iowa town called Glenwood. Many of the nearby towns (Aspen and Leadville) had their booms while Glenwood Springs was yet in its infancy. Glenwood Springs was difficult to reach due to the canyons to the east and west; it was also located on Ute land. The town grew in part thanks to its location on the railroad and the Colorado River.

The local area is surrounded by state and national parks which attract hunters and campers from great distances. The Grand Mesa is to the west and the Flattops Wilderness area dominate to the North. The Flattops is HUGE area offering unlimited high-country exporing. The Four Mile recreation area (to the South-west)offers easier day mountain access favored by locals. Glenwood Springs is a truly great place to access all the Rocky Mountains have to offer.

In terms of Culture (and ski-appeal) it is hard to underestimate the role of Aspen. Glenwood Springians may not want to actually live in Aspen, but they do appreciate being able to commute to a cultural mecca.

"UpValley" is to the North of Glenwood Springs and is Carbondale, Basalt, Snowmass and ASPEN. To the west, or downvalley, is New Castle, Silt and Rifle. "UP" and "Down" refer to altidude, not North or South. Grand Junction is an 80 minute drive West on I-70. Vail is 70 minutes east. Aspen is 60 minutes south. Vail, Aspen and Grand Junction all have airports.

Glenwood Springs has some excellent adventures for families... just in the last few years there are several new adventure rides (they are a blast!) at Glenwood Caverns and a new paragliding company.  A whitewater park is scheduled to be built too.