On your next visit to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, let your curiosity run wild as you explore the wonders of the earth—at the surface and underground!
Into the Depths
The caves at the Adventure Park are more than a maze of underground passageways—they’re a time machine to the past. Forming over millions of years, these living limestone caverns feature stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, cave coral, aragonite crystals, and flowstone formations that seem straight out of a prehistoric movie set.
On a guided tour of King’s Row or the Historic Fairy Caves, visitors descend into a subterranean world filled with dramatic rock sculptures carved drop by mineral-laden drop. Each formation tells a story of geologic patience and power. In fact, the U.S. Secretary of the Interior named the caves a National Natural Landmark in 2023 because it is such a geological treasure trove.
But it’s not just the beauty that captivates—it’s the story. Local pioneer Charles W. Darrow first explored the caves in the late 1800s, opened them to the public, and installed electric lighting—a cutting-edge innovation at the time. Then, like now, people are drawn to the mysteries hidden in the earth’s darkest corners. What lies below the surface? What secrets is the earth keeping?
Take a tour and find out. A Funday ticket includes both cave tours. Visitors can also purchase cave tours separately. Available through April 28, check out the NNL Combo ticket, which includes soaking at Iron Mountain Hot Springs.
Showcasing the Earth’s Artistry
Just off the Main Plaza, Prebble’s Pebbles is a rock shop that feels more like a miniature museum, filled with stunning displays of crystals, geodes, fossils, and minerals. Named in honor of Peter Prebble, who owned the cave property from 1961 to 1998, the shop pays tribute to his legacy. Prebble and his team of avid spelunkers are credited with discovering cave passages like Jam Crack, the Barn, and King’s Row.
Walking into the store is like opening a treasure chest. You’ll find a dazzling array of natural gems—crystals with iridescent color and perfect symmetry, geodes polished to reveal sparkling interiors of amethyst and quartz, and fossils that date back millions of years. These aren’t your average souvenirs—they’re tangible pieces of the planet’s artistic process. Many are art-quality specimens worthy of any collector’s shelf.
How Nature Forges Rock Stars
Whether you’re marveling over the massive formations on a cave tour or admiring colorful crystals at Prebble’s Pebbles, you might find yourself wondering: How are these magnificent natural creations made?
It all starts with water. Rainwater seeps through the ground, combining with carbon dioxide from decaying vegetation to form a weak acid called carbonic acid. As this acidic water moves through cracks in the limestone, it gradually dissolves the rock, forming hollows and caverns. In Glenwood Springs, sulfuric acid from the area’s natural hot springs also played a role, accelerating the cave-forming process. This unique combination of geological processes has made Glenwood Caverns one of the largest caves in Colorado.
Geodes, like the ones on display in the rock shop, form a little differently. These crystal-lined treasures begin as bubbles or cavities in volcanic or sedimentary rock. Over time, mineral-rich water fills the empty space. As the water evaporates or drains away, minerals like quartz, amethyst, or calcite crystallize along the inner walls, creating a sparkling surprise inside an unassuming exterior.
The Magic of Curiosity
At Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, curiosity isn’t just welcomed—it’s celebrated. Whether you’re awestruck by the towering formations of King’s Row, enchanted by a shimmering geode, or asking questions about how stalactites grow, you’re tapping into something universal—the human desire to explore, understand, and connect with the natural world.
So, the next time you visit Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, enjoy the thrill rides and scenic views—but make time to let your imagination wander too. It just might lead you somewhere unexpected and magical!
