Stepping into the steaming waters of Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, I felt a connection to centuries past. The Ute Native Americans once called these springs “Yampah,” or “Big Medicine,” a sacred haven for healing that shaped their way of life before settlers claimed the land in the late 19th century. Today, that legacy lives on—not just in the soothing 104°F pools, but in the resort’s eco-friendly ingenuity. Geothermal heat warms everything from showers to snow-melted walkways, a modern echo of the Utes’ respect for nature. Across town, at Iron Mountain Hot Springs, 16 riverside pools blend sustainability with serenity, while Glenwood itself runs on 100% renewable energy—wind, solar, and hydro since 2019. Surrounded by peaks and history, I soaked in more than just water; I soaked in a vision of travel that honors the past and protects the future.

Read More