Glenwood Adventure Company: Your one-stop shop for fun in Glenwood Springs

Mamas, it’s not too late to schedule the ultimate Colorado summer vacation in Glenwood Springs (or to start dreaming about next year!) 

In two short weeks, my family will be adventuring with the Glenwood Adventure Company, an outfitter that has offering adventures in Colorado for over 30 years. Not only do they offer whitewater rafting adventures but they are literally a one-stop shop for family fun in Vail Valley, Glenwood Springs and Buena Vista. Go horseback riding or offroading, do an escape room, rent river toys, test out your firing power with Sporting Clays and enjoy a guided hiking or biking excursions (and be sure to tap into their fleet of regular and E-bikes!)

Here are a few highlights of what they offer:

Whitewater Rafting in Colorado

Glenwood Canyon -Shoshone Rapids Half-day Adventure. Touted as one of their most popular trips, this rafting adventure is fantastic for families while still packing a great punch. Located in Glenwood Canyon, this trip offers Class II-IV whitewater and no rafting experience is necessary. The Shoshone Class III rapids boast a  2-mile stretch of exciting but not intimidating rapids while enjoying the scenery. And, depending upon water levels, there are plenty of opportunities for a swim. Minimum 30 pounds

Does that sound too much or not enough? They also offer family-friendly floats down the river, as well as full-day wilderness adventures including the action-packed Dowd Chute, a CLass IV+ section of the Eagle River near Vail. Or head over to Browns Canyon National Monument and revel in the challenge and the beauty of this region accented by the towering Collegiate Peaks. 

Rent River Toys in Colorado

Do you want to explore on your own? Rent river toys like duckies (inflatable kayaks) or stand-up paddleboards from Glenwood Adventure Company and explore scenic lakes such as Harvey Gap or Ruedi Reservoir. Or take a Guided Half Day Duckie Adventure! No previous river experience is needed for these Class II-III rapids but you’ll learn to master these rapids under the careful tutelage of your guide. Children as young as 7 can be in a double kayak; 13 and older can be in a single kayak. 

Horseback Riding

Glenwood Adventure Company offers family adventures where kids as young as 7 can ride through their six-generation family ranchland. There are also options for longer rides, evening horseback rides in Glenwood Canyon and even a Horseback Dinner Ribeye Ride!

Offroad Tours

Bair Ranch is one of the oldest family-owned and operated working ranches in Colorado.  You’ll be riding on terrain such as tight forest trails, gravel roads, mud puddles, crossing shallow streams and climbing steep hills. You need a driver’s license and must be over 16 to drive an ATV; passengers must be at least 5 years old. Other guided tours include an offroad tour of Glenwood Canyon and an Offroad Dinner Adventure with a family-style meal of ribeye, baked potatoe and more.

From mild to wild, Adventure Outdoors LLC provides incredible adventures with your safety in mind to build forever memories with your family.

Go to GlenwoodAdventure.com to learn more! 

Where to Stay in Glenwood Springs

After a delay caused by the pandemic, the Melville family’s multi-year, multi-million-dollar restoration of the iconic Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs has resumed. All guest rooms, along with corridors and the main stairway, are receiving comprehensive floor-to-ceiling makeovers.

Located at 526 Pine Street in historic Glenwood Springs, Colorado, Hotel Colorado first opened its doors in 1893. The hotel has been used as a temporary White House, as a place of healing for the U.S. Navy during World War II, and a community focal point from its inception. Today, Hotel Colorado is a beautiful step back in time, inviting guests to enjoy the cool mountain air, exceptional service and legendary hospitality. It’s an ideal venue for meetings and events with 10,000 square feet of newly renovated meeting and banquet space. Hotel Colorado is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and a member of the Historic Hotels of America. www.hotelcolorado.com