Testimonials for the Wild Tour at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

Wonder what it’s like to take a Wild Tour at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park? Watch these testimonials from students and a teacher at the Denver Academy!

The Wild Tour at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park takes you deep inside Glenwood Caverns in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, for an on-your-belly caving adventure. Guide Lorie Sheader shows you what the Wild Tour is all about. Call 800-530-1635, ext. 0, for information and reservations.

Glenwood Caverns and the Historic Fairy Caves are part of Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Located on top of Iron Mountain at an elevation of 7,100 feet, the park offers walking and wild cave tours, thrill rides, mountaintop dining, scenic gondola rides and lots of kid-friendly attractions.

The King’s Row Cave Tour

Take a peek inside Glenwood Caverns as guide Kathy Miller gives you a preview of the King’s Row Cave Tour. King’s Row is the most highly decorated cave room in Colorado. The staged light show highlights the cave’s magnificent formations.

Glenwood Caverns and the Historic Fairy Caves are part of Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Located on top of Iron Mountain at an elevation of 7,100 feet, the park offers walking and wild cave tours, thrill rides, mountaintop dining, scenic gondola rides and lots of kid-friendly attractions.

 

Help name our new ride and you could win!

There’s a new attraction coming to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park this spring that will swing you up, up, up, around and around, and out over Glenwood Canyon. We need your help in coming up with a name for it, so we’re holding a contest on our Facebook page.

The grand prize, valued at almost $500, includes eight Funday Passes, each of which offers unlimited turns on all of the park’s rides, plus four souvenir cups and four t-shirts. The passes can be used one or two at a time, for two days at the park for a family of four, or for one party of eight. To enter the contest, post your entries at Facebook.com/GlenwoodCaverns by midnight on Friday, Feb. 14.

“The Giant Canyon Swing and Cliffhanger Roller Coaster have been so popular with our guests, we want to offer them another way to experience the thrill of our location overlooking Glenwood Canyon,” said Steve Beckley, who owns Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park with his wife Jeanne. “The new ride does just that, and because our guests and fans have been so supportive over the years, we’d like their help in coming up with a name for it. Our hope is to find a name that reflects the excitement of soaring out over the canyon.”

Located on the edge of Glenwood Canyon between the Giant Canyon Swing and the Cliffhanger Roller Coaster, the ride will swing riders out approximately 1,400 feet above the Colorado River. The swing, which is under construction in Venice, Italy, will resemble a large tree with a brown trunk and green foliage at the top. Upon completion in early April, it will travel by ship to the U.S. for installation and will be open to the public in May.

Contest entries may also be emailed to cavegirl (at) glenwoodcaverns (dot) com or submitted via Twitter tagged with @GlenwoodCaverns by midnight on Feb. 14. After the names are collected, the park’s management team will select 10 finalists. Those 10 will be posted on Facebook so that fans can vote for their favorites through Feb. 26. The winner will be selected by the park and announced on or about Mar. 5. Individuals may submit more than one entry. In the event that the winning name is submitted by more than one person, the first person to submit it will be deemed the winner.

Time to get those thinking caps on!

School Programs Combine Fun, Adventure and Learning

So, it’s the back to school season, you’ve just found some back to school coupons, you’re looking for a residential and new resources, and we’re going to add to that list. You want to make sure that the kids actually enjoy coming to your class, you want them to like you as a teacher. Doesn’t matter if you are a primary school teacher or a college professor, wouldn’t it be nice to get a gift at the end of the year just because your students loved your class so much? That feeling of appreciation would be totally worth it at the end of the school year. But now it’s only the beginning and there are a few things that you can do to make this a successful year. So, here we go…. Teachers, educators, parents, students…looking for a new field trip? Ready for a break from the classroom? Want geology, science and history lessons to come alive before your eyes? Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park offers school programs that will both educate and entertain.

Schools visiting the park get to explore the caves with guides who can keep the students interested by tailoring the experience to the age group. Kids also participate in an educational activity (gemstone panning for younger kids and a cave science lesson for older kids). They can also enjoy the rides and attractions, such as the alpine coaster and laser tag, for a special half-price school rate.

The school group program is available throughout the school year–if you feel like your class could use an adventure during the long winter months, Glenwood Caverns is ready to welcome you.

Vicki Douglas, a second grade teacher at Parkview Elementary in Rangeley, CO, has taken her class to the Park for the past several years. Here is what she had to say about the experience:

“The kids and adults love the trip. Most of the kids have never ridden on a tram so that experience is fun to witness on the way up to the caverns.

The guides we have had in the past have done an incredible job explaining everything on a 2nd grade level but making it interesting for the sponsors.

With a little prepping before making the trip the students learn so much about rocks, minerals and gems. Speaking of gems….the kids’ favorite part is always panning for gems! That addition to the park has really made a difference since the kids get to take home a prized souvenir.

As a teacher, my favorite part is the ease in planning the trip. I like the picnic area to eat sack lunches and the friendly staff. We are always made to feel welcome and the day is well organized. Even when we have brought two classes at once it was easy to split the group and keep everyone engaged while waiting their turn.

The giant sand box area is wonderful. The kids can unwind while waiting for the other groups to finish the tours.

This helps wear them out for the bus ride home!”

The school groups program really is a great experience for students and adults alike. Having fun and learning while you’re at it…what’s better than that? It’s great for parents to have somehwere educational to take their kids too. If your kids mean the world to you, get life insurance quotes from moneyexpert.com to see how you can make sure they’re always protected.
If kids play while they are being educated, they are sure to remember their experience for years to come. For more information, visit https://www.glenwoodcaverns.com/groups/school-groups/

Group photo on the big chair!

Winter Fun at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

What’s there to do at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in the winter? Zip down the mountain on the longest Alpine Coaster in the state. Take a guided tour of Glenwood Caverns and the Historic Fairy Caves. Take in the views of the snowy Rocky Mountains in a fully enclosed gondola on the Iron Mountain Tramway. Hold on to your seats as you watch three films in the 4D Motion Theater, then challenge friends and family to a round of laser tag. Enjoy lunch and warm up with a hot drink by the fireplace in the Lookout Grille.

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is located in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, less than an hour from Aspen and Vail. There are seven ski resorts within an hour, so it’s an easy day trip during family ski trips. Lodging is more affordable in Glenwood Springs, so it’s the perfect hub for a Colorado winter vacation.

Top Ten Reasons Glenwood Caverns should be…

Top Ten Reasons Glenwood Caverns should be the Eighth Wonder of the World

Recently, the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association entered Glenwood Caverns and the Historic Fairy Caves into VirtualTourist.com’s contest to crown “The Eighth Wonder of the World.”

Tourism boards, chambers of commerce and visitor bureaus around the world are sending in nominations to the website, which is a leading travel research website and community. The public is being asked to vote for their favorites out of the more than 200 submissions, and the “Wonder” with the most votes will be crowned the winner and will be featured in a national broadcast TV segment.

The Original Seven Wonders of the World is a list, compiled in the second century B.C., of man-made structures built during the classical era.

The Seven Wonders are:

  • Great Pyramid of Giza
  • Hanging Gardens of Babylon
  • Statue of Zeus at Olympia
  • Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
  • Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
  • Colossus of Rhodes
  • Lighthouse of Alexandria

We think Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park should be named the Eighth Wonder of the World! While the caves were formed naturally, it definitely took a lot of manpower to get them ready for the public viewing. Charles Darrow and his team first opened the Historic Fairy Caves to visitors in 1895, and the work continues today, with the recent completion of the Historic Fairy Cave Tour, showcasing even more natural beauty and amazing formations.

In the spirit of the Late Show with David Letterman, we’d like to offer our own Top Ten Reasons Glenwood Caverns should be the Eighth Wonder of the World:

10) The original owners of Glenwood Caverns claimed it first, in 1897, well before most of the other contestants even existed.

9) Glenwood Springs is a lot easier to find than Ephesus and Halicarnassus!

8) Seeing any of the Seven Wonders means being prepared for sweltering heat: the average summer high in Giza is 96° and in Olympia it is 97°! The Historic Fairy Caves, on the other hand, are a cool 52° year round–perfect for a hot summer day.

7) Most major attractions only invite you to take pictures, but if you take the Wild Tour you’ll be invited to get dirty, crawl on your belly and go deep into rarely visited areas of the caves!

6) We’re not sure, but we don’t think any of the current Seven Wonders offer drink specials and live music (Music on the Mountain at Glenwood Caverns does, though!)

5) The best things in life involve bacon
(cave bacon, that is!)

4) Glenwood Caverns and the Historic Fairy Caves were explored/excavated by enthusiastic cavers, not Greek slaves.

3) You’ve got to go diving underwater to see what’s left of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, but it’s only a short tram ride up Iron Mountain in Glenwood Springs to see the Historic Fairy Caves and King’s Row in the most highly-decorated show cave in Colorado.

2) There are no scary, hollow-eyed, naked Roman statues at Glenwood Caverns, only carved happy Wooden Bears.

1) Many of the Seven Wonders are known for their impressive height—but perched on the edge of the canyon 1300 feet above the Colorado River, Glenwood Caverns stands WAY above them all!

Do you think Glenwood Caverns should be the Eighth Wonder of the World? Cast your vote! Visit www.virtualtourist.com to vote for Glenwood Caverns and the Historic Fairy Caves. Voting is open until Sept. 30.

Free Funday Passes to Royal Gorge Bridge

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park Offers Free Funday Passes to Royal Gorge Bridge and Park Annual Passholders

In a show of solidarity for the Colorado amusement industry, loyal fans of the iconic Royal Gorge Bridge and Park have another option this summer, and it’s free. Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, based in Glenwood Springs, is offering a one-day pass at no cost to all current Royal Gorge annual passholders.

The owners of Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park know how important loyal fans are to the success of any business and they’re big fans of Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. Following the tragic fire that closed this Colorado landmark, the Adventure Park is offering current Royal Gorge Bridge and Park annual passholders a free one-day pass anytime during 2013. It’s going to be a big event, with pop up tents and activities for the family to celebrate this wonderful bridge. The mountaintop park that’s home to Glenwood Caverns and the Historic Fairy Caves, thrill rides and family activities is based in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

“Our hearts went out to everyone at Royal Gorge Bridge and Park last week,” said Steve Beckley, who owns Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park with his wife Jeanne. “Each year we take our whole management team to visit another theme park that’s known for its excellent customer service. We visited Royal Gorge in 2011, and everyone had a lot of fun. We were all impressed with their operation and are hopeful that they can rebuild and reopen very soon.”

In the meantime, Royal Gorge passholders can enjoy a day at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park on the house. The Funday Pass includes a ride on the Iron Mountain Tramway and park admission, two walking cave tours and unlimited access to the Alpine Coaster, Giant Canyon Swing, Cliffhanger Roller Coaster, Soaring Eagle Zip Ride, Wild West Express family coaster, Mine Wheel, GiddyUp, Fort WhereAmI giant maze, 4D Motion Theater, climbing wall and laser tag arena.

To claim the free one-day pass, Royal Gorge Bridge and Park annual passholders can bring a valid annual pass and a photo ID to the ticket office at the base of the Iron Mountain Tramway at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. The offer is limited to one Funday Pass per passholder; for family passes, the offer is good for the same number of family members covered by the Royal Gorge pass. Anyone with questions about the pass is encouraged to call 800-530-1635, ext. 0.

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. this summer, with the last tram ride up at 8:30 p.m. For more information, including fall and winter hours of operation, visit https://www.glenwoodcaverns.com or call 800-530-1635 or 970-945-4228, ext. 0.

Night Plane Descends on Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park this Saturday

Get ready for longtime local favorites Night Plane, who will be playing originals and classic hits at Music on the Mountain this weekend. Although they are often joined by additional musicians, this weekend’s Night Plane will be an acoustic trio comprised of Jimmy Dykann, Haden Gregg, and John Zajicek. Night Plane has been in existence since 1979, and they have been all over the country together: they recorded their debut album Night Plane in Los Angeles in 1982 and completed another album in New York in the 1990s. They are currently promoting a re-release of their first album on vinyl, which features four new original songs.

Veteran local band Night Plane to play free concert Saturday, June 8

“We mix it up, we like to play old rock and blues classics, maybe throw some reggae in there, but we also write a lot of our own material,” says Dykann. Dykann and Gregg are the primary songwriters, and they have been writing together since before they even had a band, in the 1970s. “We mainly just like to write about what’s going on in our lives,” added Dykann.

Night Plane has been out in California doing shows to promote the re-release, but they are back in the Valley for the summer. They play mostly private parties, but they will be appearing July 3rd in the park in Basalt and also at a benefit for the Aspen Deaf Camp with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band this summer.

The band has played with the likes of John Denver, Jimmy Buffett, and a ton of other musicians who passed through the Roaring Fork Valley throughout the decades. “We played with just about everybody that came through in the ‘70s and ‘80s. We opened a lot of shows. There’s been a good group of local players here for 40 years and we’ve had a lot of great shows around here.”

This will be Night Plane’s second appearance at Music on the Mountain. “We’re looking forward to going up on the mountain and playing. It’s always fun,” says Dykann. “The views, the people…it’s a great concert venue. We love it; outdoor shows are what we love. We were well-received last year, a lot of our friends came up. It’s always nice to have locals come to our shows.”

Don’t miss the chance to see these Colorado legends in their element, mountaintop this Saturday, June 8 for a free concert.  Bring at least one can of food for a free tram ride to the top, where you can enjoy rides, drink specials, and much more. It will also be the last Music on the Mountain concert until August, so make sure to follow Dykann’s advice and “Come see us!”

For ticket information, go to Glenwood Caverns’ Music on the Mountain