Party Like it’s 1999 at Park 20th Anniversary Party

Glenwood Caverns gave its first cave tour in May 1999, more than 82 years after the Fairy Caves closed to the public during World War I. The mountaintop Adventure Park in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, is throwing a Party Like it’s 1999 celebration on Saturday, May 18, 2019. 

A Dream Realized

Twenty years ago, Steve and Jeanne Beckley were putting the final touches on the substantial improvement projects that made it possible to open the Glenwood Caverns and the Historic Fairy Caves to the public for the first time in 82 years. They’d spent the previous months working with volunteers to grade and gravel a road to the cave entrance, clear debris that had collected for decades, rewire and install lighting, carve a new tunnel into the mountain and install two airtight doors to form an airlock that protects the temperature and humidity inside the cave. Their first tour was during Memorial Weekend in 1999, the realization of dream 18 years in the making.

A Look Back at Glenwood Caverns’ Beginnings

Steve Beckley, a petroleum engineer and graduate of the Colorado School of Mines, read about the Fairy Caves in 1982 in an out-of-print book about Colorado caves. He wrote to Pete Prebble, the owner at that time, and expressed his interest in visiting the closed cave for 11 years before he and then-girlfriend Jeanne were allowed in. It was such a remarkable experience that they spent the next six years persuading him to lease the property and then, after quitting their jobs in Denver and moving to Glenwood Springs with their newborn son, spent a year preparing to open.

“I remember telling Jeanne at the time that we’d give cave tours during the summer and then relax, ski and play the rest of the year,” Steve Beckley, who co-owns Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park with his wife Jeanne, explains. “Well, that’s not exactly how it went. Jeanne knows ‘I have an idea’ is probably my favorite phrase and that I say it a lot.”

Glenwood Caverns Becomes America’s Only Mountain-top Theme Park

More than 33,000 people toured the caved in five months that year. The company had to close during the rest of the year due to the winding road that was impassible in the winter and spring months. Steve began working on a new transportation system to keep the tours open year-round; in 2003 the Iron Mountain Tramway opened, and the company changed its name to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. Since then, it has grown to include thrill rides, family-friendly attractions, live music, shopping, dining and, as of this year, the new high-speed Glenwood Gondola that can transport 1,000 people per hour up and down the mountain.

“We never imagined that 20 years later that we’d be operating the only mountaintop theme park in America, with roller coasters and a giant swing and concerts under the stars,” co-owner Jeanne Beckley said. “It’s been such an incredible process. Our boys have grown up here, and the park has become this special place where families can have fun, learn about nature, experience this spectacular cave and create memories together.”

Premier Prince Tribute Band to Highlight 20th Anniversary Celebration

To celebrate this 20th anniversary, the Adventure Park is throwing a Party Like It’s 1999 celebration on Saturday, May 18, from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Paizley Park, a costumed and choreographed Prince tribute act, will rock the stage from 7 – 9 p.m. The audience will fall under the purple spell of Phillip Lamar Jordan as Prince during this high-energy show featuring the music of Prince, Vanity 6, Apollonia 6, Sheila E. and more. Guests who wear purple to the event can get a free drink at the Lookout Grille, a purple Icee for kids and a special “Purple Rain” adult beverage. The Airi Photo Booth will be set up to the right of the stage with props to help guests create free souvenir photos to take home as well.

Learn About Spelunking and Formations in Cave Simulator

CaveSim, a crawl-through electronic cave simulator with 60 feet of passage to explore, will be at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. It’s decorated with artful reproductions of real cave formations. Each formation is electronically sensed to count the number of times it gets hit by cavers. This information is saved in a central computer, and cavers can compare their scores and times.

Education was a primary goal of the Beckleys when they first opened the cave in 1999. According to Steve, “We were, and still are, so overwhelmed by the beauty of this world beneath our feet that we wanted to share it with as many people as possible while still protecting the natural resource. Teaching our guests about the history and geology of the area, the life forms within the cave and the importance of conservation has always been at the forefront of our business.”

Since that first tour, more than a million people have toured Glenwood Caverns and the Historic Fairy Caves. The park offers affordable field trips for thousands of students every year, providing the opportunity to share the science and experience of exploring to even more young people, many of whom might not have the chance to do so otherwise.

Steve and Jeanne Beckley at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

Event Admission Details

Regular admission rates apply for this event. A ride on the Glenwood Gondola costs $19 for adults and $14 for kids 3 to 12. The Gondola/Cave Tour combination is $32 for adults and $27 for kids. An inclusive Funday Pass is $58 for adults, $53 for kids, and includes the gondola ride, two walking cave tours and unlimited access to all rides. Annual Gondola and Thrill Pass holders can attend free. Those who have vouchers for the Locals’ Gondola Pass from earlier this year are encouraged to redeem them prior to this event, preferably on weekdays prior to 4:30 p.m.

Solutions for Adventure Park Visitors with Pets

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park offers a little something for everyone—cave tours, thrill rides, dining, music, views—everyone that is, except Fido. Thanks to nearby dog-sitting services; it’s easy to safely leave your furry friends for a few hours while you enjoy the humans-only attractions at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.

We love dogs, just not at the Park

Unless your pooch is a certified service dog, it’s just not practical to bring him or her to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. As pet owners ourselves, we appreciate that some of our visitors travel with their animals, and truth be told, sometimes pets make the best road trip companions—never complaining about the music selection or asking how much longer until we get there.

While welcomed at public parks in Glenwood Springs, Glenwood Caverns is one park poochies will have to skip. There are some places that just don’t suit canines including aboard the Glenwood Gondola and on cave tours and thrill rides.

Rather than skip a trip to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park however, why not leave your pet where he’ll have almost as much fun as you? Glenwood Springs has several reputable, reasonably priced doggie daycare centers that can give him plenty of exercise and social interaction while you’re away for a few hours.

Pet Sitting Services in Glenwood Springs

Dog Hollidays Pet Resort, owned and operated by two veterinarians, provides half-day and full-day pet sitting options. You can even pamper you pet by scheduling a brushing—the equivalent of a doggie blowout—or a bath should he or she be in need of a little extra grooming. 970-930-6292.

High Tails Dog & Cat Outfitters is another great choice that provides doggie daycare every day of the week except Sundays. It’s run by a trio of local ladies who monitor play sessions. If the energy of the group is running too high, they may utilize aromatherapy and soothing music to induce calm. 970-947-0014.

The Shaggy Dog is another always reliable option, also locally-owned. Drop your furry pal off for a few hours of no-worry downtime for both of you. The full-service “salon” includes menu items like shampoo and condition, nail trimming, brushing and de-shedding, pet bathing and haircuts with a hand scissor finish. 970-945-0264.

When it comes to your pet, it’s safety first

If you’re traveling with your pet this summer we’d love for you to come visit Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, just be sure to take care of your precious fur baby first. Never leave your pet in your vehicle or tethered while you sightsee. Instead, allow these pet-friendly businesses to keep your pet safe and engaged while you visit America’s only mountaintop theme park.

Plan your adventure getaway today; visit Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park on your next trip to Glenwood Springs.

Planned Your 2019 Vacation Yet?

The Giant Canyon Swing at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park
The Giant Canyon Swing at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park
It’s not too late—Tuesday, January 29 is National Plan Your Vacation Day. For the ultimate Colorado adventure, plan a trip to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park today.

If you’re thinking, I’ve got all year to plan a vacation, you might be wrong. The first month of twelve has almost slipped away in the blink of an eye. The fact is every year more than half of Americans (52%) fail to use all their time off, creating a stock pile of 705 million unused vacation days, up from 662 million days the year before. There are a few more days left in January, the month for new beginnings. Stop forfeiting your hard-earned vacation days and start enjoying them instead.

Vacation planners are happier

As in most endeavors in life, those who plan ahead are more likely to succeed. That includes planning for and taking time off for vacations. According to a press release by the U.S. Travel Association (USTA), “The most effective remedy for American workers who want to use more vacation days is better planning. Yet just over half of households set aside time to plan the use of their vacation time each year.” According to the USTA research, planners have a distinct advantage over non-planners: They use more of their time, take longer vacations and are happier.

This video featuring Samantha Brown, travel expert and television host of Places to Love, sums why National Plan Your Vacation Day on Jan. 29th is the best way to jump start your 2019 vacation plans.

Vacation planners are doers

There are also other benefits of setting aside a specific day to plan your annual vacation. First, by penciling in a getaway on your calendar, you instantly have a task list you can tackle that helps to bring your vacation from blurry idea to focused reality. Such a list might include letting the boss know months in advance when you’ll be out of the office, shopping for the best flight deals, booking lodging reservations and pre-planning your in-destination activities.

Vacation planners have more fun

Secondly, anticipation is delicious. Looking forward to something in the future creates powerful, positive emotions. Planning a vacation to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park for example, you might anticipate riding the Giant Canyon Swing or two adrenaline-pumping thrill rides. You might look forward to taking cave tours that delve deep under Iron Mountain to showcase a stunning underground landscape. Perhaps you want to dance under the stars? You can do that too with a regular schedule of musical performances kicking off in summer 2019.

In addition to visiting Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, your vacation dreams might also expand to include other things-to-do in Glenwood Springs like geothermal soaking at Iron Mountain Hot Springs, hiking to Hanging Lake, sampling award-winning beers at area pubs and breweries or rafting through scenic Glenwood Canyon. Planning ahead allows you to take in all the possibilities.

Plan your visit to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park today

Please note Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is temporarily closed until March while we install our new, high-capacity gondola. Look for more details and information about this exciting new addition on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Glenwood Caverns Throws Tram Farewell Party

Use weather apps to check climate conditions at the Adventure Park
Use weather apps to check climate conditions at the Adventure Park

Help us send off the Iron Mountain Tramway in style on Sunday, Oct. 28, from noon to 6 p.m. when we’ll be hosting a huge tram farewell party with throwback pricing, prizes, drawings and more!

The time has come to say goodbye to an old friend. The Iron Mountain Tramway at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park was installed April, 2003. Over its fifteen years of service, the tram has transported 2.2 million visitors to America’s only mountaintop theme park where they have enjoyed thrill rides, spectacular cave tours and fun-filled entertainment and events.

Tram Farewell Party, Oct. 28

After years of reliable service, this stalwart workhorse is ready to retire. We’ll celebrate on Sunday, Oct. 28 with a tram farewell party. Locals, visitors and the whole community are invited to attend. Festivities will begin at noon at the tram base with throw-back $10 tram rides—the cost of riding the tram back in 2003!

At the mountaintop, in addition to the rides and attractions that will be open (weather permitting), the celebration will feature free cake and refreshments, one dollar hot dogs for sale in the plaza, as well as prize giveaways and drawings. There will also be photo opportunities to commemorate the old tram. Don’t miss this chance to snap a souvenir photo before the tram is retired.

“This is definitely a bittersweet time for us. The tramway transformed a seasonal cave tour operation into a year-round destination,” Steve Beckley, who owns Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park with his wife Jeanne, said. “I’m sure there will be some emotional moments as we look back on how the business has changed over the years. At the same time, we are very excited to be able to improve service to our guests with the new tram.”

At the end of the evening, a winner will be drawn for the grand prize of taking the last ride down the mountain aboard the Iron Mountain Tramway with park owners Steve and Jeanne Beckley. Second prize is the second-to-last tram ride down with general manager Nancy Heard. The drawing will be held at 5 p.m., and winners must be present to win.

Decommissioning the old tram and installing the new tram will get underway immediately. The new, high-efficiency system with 44 detachable, six-person cabins will increase passenger capacity from the current 300 to 1,000 people per hour and significantly decreasing the frequency of weather-related closures.

Beginning on Monday, Oct. 29, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park will be temporarily closed for the winter season. Construction is anticipated to last until mid-March, when a grand re-opening celebration is planned.

A Season for Celebrating: Octoberfest at Glenwood Caverns

Enjoy a fall ride aboard the Glenwood Gondola
Enjoy a fall ride aboard the Glenwood Gondola

All month long at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, we’ll be honoring fall traditions with Octoberfest, then on Oct. 28., we’ll wrap up the season with a final farewell party to retire the current Iron Mountain Tramway.

Fall is a season of celebration and change—none more so than this year at America’s only mountaintop theme park. Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park’s Octoberfest celebrations run throughout the month of October and this year, they culminate with a final farewell party for the Iron Mountain Tramway.

We’ll be sad to see this stalwart workhorse go. For over 15 years it has transported more than two million visitors from the valley floor to the park entrance at the top of Iron Mountain. At the same time, we’re excited for its replacement: a new, high-capacity tramway that will enable us to transport passengers more efficiently, reducing wait times at the base and mountaintop.  On Sat., Oct. 28, we will celebrate its retirement with a community goodbye party.

Until then, join us for beautiful fall days, jaw-dropping autumn views, harvest activities, music and, of course, our signature rides and attractions. Here’s what to expect at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in October:

Fall is a beautiful time of year to visit Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park
  • Fall-themed activities. From Oct. 1 through 28, daily fun includes a pumpkin patch, fall photo opportunities and Octoberfest food and drink specials. On Saturdays from noon to 6 p.m. enjoy hayrides, games for kids, face painting, scavenger hunts and pumpkin decorating.
  • German fare. The Lookout Grille will be serving all your Old Country favorites including bratwursts, sauerkraut, pretzels and seasonal beers. The Bloody Mary Bar will also be open and stocked with dozens of garnishes to create a drink that’s perfect for you. For more fall flavors, try the homemade pumpkin fudge and fudge-covered apples available at the General Store.
  • Music & dancing. On Saturday, 13 and Oct. 20, from noon to 4 p.m., Alpine Echo, Glenwood’s local oompah band, will entertain guests in the plaza with traditional German music. Get ready to polka, waltz and even chicken dance.
  • Scary rides. There’s no better month for a screaming good time than October. Halloween-themed decorations lead guests on the trails to the ride, while spooky music sets the tone for a ghostly, one-of-a-kind experience for those who dare to drop.
  • Leaf peeping. In addition to colorful maple trees and flowers in the plaza, the park features several vantage points with panoramic views of the changing colors in Glenwood Canyon and the Roaring Fork Valley. The tram, the Lookout Grille, the Mine Wheel and viewing decks at the Giant Canyon Swing and above the restaurant are some of the best places for leaf peeping and photos.
  • Goodbye tram party. The last day of Octoberfest also marks the final day for the current Iron Mountain Tramway, which will be replaced over the winter months. All are welcome to join the farewell celebration which will feature $10 tram tickets—throwback prices from 2003 when the tram opened. There will also be free cake, prize drawings and photo opportunities.

Make plans to attend Octoberfest—Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park’s month-long party—and help us send off the Iron Mountain Tramway in style on Oct. 28. See you on the mountaintop!

10 Ways to Keep the Summer Fun Going in Colorado

Colorado is cool in the summertime. Keep the fun going with these 10 outside activities you can enjoy across the state.

In addition to the high-flying summer fun at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, America’s only mountaintop theme park in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, the entire rest of the state is a playground of outdoor adventures!

    1. Go wild. Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Also giraffes, rhinoceroses, elephants, wolves, and alligators are waiting for you at major zoos. Check out the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, and the Colorado Gators Reptile Park in Mosca.
    2. Take a hike. Smell the wildflowers at Yankee Boy Basin near Ouray, Shrine Pass near Frisco, or Lake Isabel near Colorado City. Enjoy the waterfalls at Hanging Lake near Glenwood Springs, Seven Falls in Colorado Springs, or Bridal Veil Falls in Telluride. Retrace history on the Santa Fe Trail’s Sierra Vista Overlook near La Junta, Canyons of the Ancients National Monument Pueblo dwellings in Montezuma County, Skyline Drive dinosaur tracks near Cañon City. View elk at Horseshoe Park in Rocky Mountain National Park, bighorn sheep and mountain goats at Mount Evans Wilderness Area near Idaho Springs, and moose at State Forest State Park near Walden.
    3. Camp out. Find cabins and yurts at Golden Gate Canyon State Park near Golden; wilderness backpacking at West Fork Campground near Pagosa Springs, Trappers Lake near Meeker, and Ansel Watrous Campground near Bellvue; and lakeside tent and RV sites at Elk Creek Campground near Grand Lake, Cherry Creek State Park near Aurora, and John Martin Reservoir State Park near Hasty; and amazing views at Silver Bar Campground near Aspen and Moraine Park Campground near Estes Park.
    4. Ride a bike.  It’s summer, so you can pedal down the ski slopes on Vail Mountain, Purgatory, and Keystone Resort, with a ride-up on the gondolas. You’ll find bike parks at Winter Park Resort, Lory State Park near Fort Collins, and Palmer Park in Colorado Springs, and paved routes in Glenwood Springs, Denver, Vail, and Golden. Mountain biking was invented at Crested Butte, where you can find a great singletrack rides.
    5. Float your boat. Waterski at Navajo State Park, Jackson Lake State Park, and Blue Mesa Reservoir; canoe at Lake Granby in Granby, Gross Reservoir near Eldorado Springs, and the Colorado River near Palisade; fish at Grand Mesa Lakes near Cedaredge, Lake Pueblo State Park, and Steamboat Lake State Park; sail at Lake Dillon in Dillon, Grand Lake, and the Ruedi Reservoir in Basalt.
    6. Swing your club. Golf at mountain courses such as Pole Creek Golf Club, Copper Creek Golf Club, Breckenridge Golf Course, among rock formations at Arrowhead Golf Course and dinosaur footprints at Fossil Trace Golf Club, or on the highest course on the continent at Mount Massive Golf Course.
    7. Go underground. Get out of the sun at Cave of the Winds in Manitou Springs, Rifle Falls State Park, Dinosaur National Monument, Whit4e River National Forest and our own Glenwood Caverns.
    8. Eat & Drink. As the fruit ripens across the season, check out the peach, cherry, and apple orchards and the wineries on the Western Slope, especially around Palisade, Grand Junction, Paonia, Hotchkiss and Cedaredge.
    9. Paddle whitewater. Go for the fast water in the Arkansas River Headwaters near Salida, Gunnison Gorge near Gunnison or Browns Canyon National Monument near Buena Vista. Take it a little milder at Glenwood Canyon near Glenwood Springs, Ruby Canyon near Grand Junction, or Eagle River near Gypsum. Take it easy at Cottonwood Lake near Buena Vista, Pearl Lake State Park, or Barr Lake State Park. For whitewater, hit Confluence Park in Denver; Clear Creek Whitewater Park, Glenwood Springs Whitewater Park, or Gunnison Whitewater Park.
    10. Get festive. Join the celebrations at the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival July 6-15, the Hot Air Balloon Rodeo July 14-15 in Steamboat Springs, the Denver Underground Music Showcase July 26-29, the Vail Dance Festival July 28-Aug. 11, the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo Aug. 28-Sept. 3, and A Taste of Colorado in Denver Aug. 31-Sept. 3.

For more information on these and other summer activities in Colorado, visit https://www.colorado.com/articles/colorado-family-attractions-summer, https://www.colorado.com/articles/5-things-do-colorado-summers-over, and https://www.colorado.com/articles/8-ways-love-colorado-summer.

Explore Glenwood's many hiking trails

10 Souvenirs to Take Home from the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park Gift Shop

Souvenirs play an important role in travel. They help us recall special moments long after our vacations are over. These 10 mementos from the General Store will help you remember all the fun you had at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.

Ever wonder why on vacation we’re lured into shops that sell trinkets emblazoned with the name of a place or attraction? Bringing home a little bit of the place we’ve been is not only fun in the moment when we’re shopping, that cute t-shirt or kitschy coffee cup can also bring us a mini-dose of happiness every time we put it on or fill our mug.

Kristen Swanson studies merchandising and what people buy when they’re vacationing. “Research has shown that all tourists, or most tourists…there’s always that one exception, are predisposed to shop for souvenirs as part of the activities they’re going to do when they go traveling,” Swanson said. “A souvenir is a remembrance of an experience. They have emotional value attached to them that ordinary objects don’t have.”

Souvenirs also happen to be excellent conversation starters. When you wear that Glenwood Caverns t-shirt, you never know who might ask you about your experience at America’s only mountaintop theme park. Break out your set of Glenwood Caverns shot glasses and regale your friends with stories of how you screamed like a little baby on the Giant Canyon Swing. Smile as your kids re-enact exploring make-believe caves while wearing their toy caver’s helmets.

Stopping at the gift shop to peruse the merchandise and select something special to take home is part of the pleasure of vacationing.  A visit to the General Store at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is no exception. Favorite souvenirs that guests like to take home from the park include:

  • Pressed pennies. It’s an inexpensive keepsake you can tuck in your pocket.
  • Yummy cake mixes packaged in wine and beer bottles. Not only do these travel well, they make great gifts for that special person back home watering your plants and watching your dog.
  • Wooden signs. These fun signs have sayings focused on hiking, camping and Colorado living.
  • Kid-sized caver’s helmets. After the cave tours, encourage their spelunking dreams with child-sized caving gear.
  • Logoed merchandise like t-shirts, coffee mugs and shot glasses. Among the most practical souvenirs, these items can be worn or used again and again.
  • Saw-cut wooden bears. These cute critters like hanging out on fire place mantles and front porches after they leave Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.
  • A bag full of polished rocks. Let the youngsters mine for their favorite polished rocks to take home in a drawstring bag.
  • Old fashioned toys. Keep kids entertained with retro-toys like popguns, slingshots and boomerangs.
  • Adorn yourself with something pretty and sparkly.
  • Fudge. Even locals and staff members can’t get enough of this treat. It’s made daily from fresh ingredients and comes in a mouthwatering variety of flavors. Top-sellers are Rocky Road, Chocolate Peanut Butter and Mint Chocolate.

Of course, this is just a sampling of what’s in store at the gift shop at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, stop in at the General Store to find your own perfect souvenir to take home.

Kids Happy Hour Only at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

Who says Happy Hour is for adults only? At Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, it’s not just grown-ups who can kick back and relax with a cool beverage.

As a family-friendly theme park destination, we really understand where kids are coming from. It’s not fair that Happy Hour is the exclusive domain of the 21 and over age group. At Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, we’ve rectified that disparity by creating our very own Kids Happy Hour.

At the Lookout Grille, every Monday – Thursday (through Labor Day), from 5 p.m. to closing time, kids 3 – 12 can get a beat-the-heat ICEE drink in a variety of fruity flavors for half price. ICEEs are an iconic part of summer. The frozen, carbonated drink was created by Omar Knedlik in Kansas in 1958 and it’s been a hot weather treat ever since.  Moms and dads don’t have to worry about being left out either because we’ve also got Happy Hour for the big kids with $4 drafts of Fat Tire, Blue Moon, Coor’s Light and our favorite—Adventure Park Ale, a locally-brewed IPA.

If you’re looking for some delicious eats to go with your suds and sodas, the Lookout Grille has plenty of belly-pleasing choices. Favorite appetizers include Mountain Nachos, a sky-high plateful of cheesy chips with all the fixings; and Loaded Fries, French fries topped with cheese sauce, onions and bacon. Yum!

The Lookout Grille’s main menu also has a little something for everyone. There are beef or veggie burgers and grilled chicken sandwiches, all with the option of a regular or gluten-free bun. Health-conscious options include chicken wraps and garden salads with or without chicken. A favorite that goes particularly well with sporting events is our plate of boneless chicken wings and fries. For kids choose a burger or chicken nugget meal that comes with a fountain drink and kid’s choice of kettle chips, applesauce or French fries.

Other places to grab some good eats are the Snack Shack where slices of pizza, brats and hot dogs are just the thing to satisfy growling tummies. When it’s time for a cold treat, indulge in an ice cream or a sno-cone. Our Popcorn Wagon is chock-full of theme park goodies like funnel cakes, cotton candy, corndogs, chips and cinnamon glazed nuts, as well as stocked with all your favorite drinks. For a truly mouthwatering treat, stop by the General Store to peruse the display case of fudge—all made by hand daily—and pick whatever is most tempting.

Stop in for Happy Hour—kids welcome—and stay for the fun of it! Find out more about Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park and how to plan your day and your vacation to Glenwood Springs.

Summer Holidays to Celebrate at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

You’re familiar with Independence and Labor Day— summer holidays traditionally celebrated with family and friends. However, these lesser known occasions, while obscure, can be just as much fun!

It’s summer, and at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park as far as we’re concerned that means every day is a great reason to have fun, do something different or daring, hang out with your peeps, eat your favorite foods and most of all make memories that live on long after the season ends. Sure, Fourth of July and Labor Day are day-off-from-work celebrations, but these off-beat “alternative” holidays add novel new reasons to get going, get-together and get busy doing something out-of-the-ordinary.

July is National Anti-Boredom Month. July is the half-way point of summer vacations. Filling the days between now and back-to-school can leave kids and their parents feeling restless. Annihilate boredom at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. A mountaintop of thrill rides, attractions and cave tours keeps the fun flying, zipping and soaring along!

Friday the Thirteenth. July 13th lands on a Friday this year. Instead of hiding from cats walking under ladders and avoiding broken mirrors, why not face your fears instead? Our thrill rides will give you plenty of opportunities to do just that. The Giant Canyon Swing launches riders out 1,300 feet above Glenwood Canyon; the 

The Alpine Coaster  and Cliffside Roller Coaster will have you on the edge of your seat as the G-forces kick in. There’s no better day than Friday the 13th for a screaming good time!

National Hot Dog Day is July 18. Theme parks and hot dogs go together like funnel cakes and whipped cream which we have as well.  Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park has three locations to grab a bite to eat. The Lookout Grille which has a full menu of options including burgers, wraps and salads; the Popcorn Wagon is perfect for grab-and-go options like cinnamon glazed nuts, funnel cakes, corn dogs and popcorn; and the Snack Shack in the plaza features pizza, brats, ice cream, sno-cones and of course hot dogs!

August is Family Fun Month. Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park was voted Best for Family Entertainment in the 2018 Glenwood Post Independent Locals’ Choice Awards. For families with younger kids the Park’s small attractions are exciting without being too scary. In addition to cave tours, the 4-D theater, laser tag, Wild West Express, Giddy Up ride, Mine Wheel, climbing wall and new sluice box provide hours of entertainment. Older kids and teens tend to favor the park’s thrill rides. A melodrama show, Trouble Bubbles at Iron Mountain Hot Springs gets laughs from all ages.

Just Because Day. This is one of our favorite oddball holidays. Every day, all of us do the things that are expected or required of us because we have to. Well, on National Just Because Day, celebrated on Aug. 27, that does not apply.  This day is a chance to do something without rhyme or reason like go to a theme park located on top of a mountain —just because.

Autumnal Equinox. Sept. 22, marks the day first day of fall; thankfully it still feels like summer. As for sky-gazing, there’s no better place to watch a Glenwood Springs sunset than from the viewing deck at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. Glenwood Caverns was also voted the Best Place to Watch a Sunset in the 2018 Locals’ Choice awards.

All of these are great reasons to get out and do something fun and different like visit Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. Pick a day, any day and make it special however you please!

5 Reasons to Love Summer Evenings at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

Ah, those summer nights! How we love them and so will you! Learn why evenings are extra-special at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.

  1. Fewer people. Summertime is peak season at America’s only mountaintop theme park. With the award-winning thrill rides, cave tours and a slew of kid-friendly attractions, it’s no wonder that as soon as school’s out for the summer families head to Glenwood Springs, Colorado and Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. While the park can handle a crowd, for anyone who prefers a quieter experience, we recommend visiting towards the end of the day. Even if you arrive at 4 p.m., you can still get a full five hours of exploring, adventure and fun in before the park closes at 9 p.m.

  2. Free music. Throughout the months of June, August and September, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park hosts weekly concerts. The Music on the Mountain series features artists playing a variety of genres from rock and country to blues and funk. To catch one of shows, bring a canned item (like soup or beans) to the tram base beginning at 4 p.m. (2 p.m. on Sundays) on the day of the show. You’ll ride the tram for free (a $16 value) and help those less fortunate. Music starts at 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 4 p.m. on Sundays. Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park also kicks off its popular Friday Afternoon Club on the Mountain summer series on June 15, with free tram rides, live music and food and drink specials from 5 – 8:30 p.m. The park’s FAC also includes a free tram ride with a coupon that appears in the Post Independent on Fridays. The coupon is valid for free rides up the mountain for up to four people starting at 4 p.m.

  3. Winning sunsets. For five years running, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park has been voted a Local’s Choice Gold Award for the Best Place to View a Sunset, by readers of the Glenwood Springs Post Independent! There’s no better vantage point to watch the sun do its nightly dive behind the horizon than from the viewing deck of the Lookout Grille. Evening light combined with panoramic vistas makes for spectacular images. Highlights include snowcapped Mt. Sopris and the Elk Range to the south, the Roaring Fork River Valley in all its emerald glory, the dual waterways of the Colorado and Roaring Fork Rivers, and West Glenwood Springs as the street lights come on for the night. If there are clouds in the vicinity, you’ll witness a masterpiece sky awash in colors. It’s official—we truly have the best sunsets!

  4. A cool breeze. Summers, even in the mountains of Colorado, can be sweltering with temperatures in the upper 90s on the hottest days. Fortunately, when the sun sets the temperatures drop, especially at the Adventure Park’s elevation of 7,100 feet above sea level. Evening visits are often ideal, with temperatures dipping significantly and late afternoon breezes rolling in. If you’re heat averse, this is best time to visit Glenwood Caverns.

  5. Dinner with a view. For a casual dinner that’s literally above the rest, you can’t beat a meal at the Lookout Grille. The restaurant serves all your favorites including appetizers, daily specials, burgers, gyros, vegetarian options, a kid’s menu, cold beer, wine, lemonade, root beer and more. Best of all, every meal comes with that unforgettable view we mentioned in #3!

Consider yourself invited for the evening. Learn more the Park’s offerings, hours and events at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.

Best table in Glenwood Springs is at the Lookout Grille at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park!