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Glenwood Hot Springs Resort unveils five new mineral pools 

Guests can stand beneath the falls of the Falling Waters mountain grotto for a natural massage on shoulders, neck and back.
Andrea Teres-Martinez/Post Independent

The Glenwood Hot Springs Resort’s long-awaited east-end expansion project is nearly at completion, with the newest development being the opening of the new Yampah Mineral Baths on May 24. 

The Yampah Mineral Baths expansion features five new pools on the east end of the resort filled with pure mineral-rich water sourced through an on-site Yampah Source Spring. Around the pools, guests can enjoy an outdoor lounging area with shade and a fireplace.   

The Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, already boasting the world’s largest hot springs pool stretching the size of a football field (with 10 yards to spare), began construction on the new pools roughly one and a half years, though Pool Manager Taylor Mays said the idea for the expansion was first proposed nearly 10 years ago. 



“This has been on the mind of some individuals around here for well over a decade,” he said. “That’s something where we’ve taken our time, to make sure we see what we want to become as a resort … We wanted to make sure we got it right and had a product that would fit our guests.” 

The Glenwood Hot Springs Resort declined to disclose project cost specifics, but shared that it cost them “millions.” 



“I’m going to say it was worth every penny,” Mays said. “The cost was a whole bunch of headaches, late nights, a lot of unique challenges … As far as a dollar figure, ultimately, at the end of the day, (it was) worth every penny for what we get to provide to our guests.” 

The Inhale and Exhale baths offer more moderate- to low-temperature pools, for those wanting to experience the benefits of cold plunging.
Andrea Teres-Martinez/Post Independent

The five pools offer varying temperatures and environments, ranging from a 52°-60°F cold plunge to 100°-104°F cascade waters. The resort’s “Exhale” bath offers more neutral 75-80-degree waters, which serve as a transition between hot and cold pools. 

“You definitely want to work your way into either side of it,” Mays said about the intentional design of the pools. “Going from warmer, to warmer, to warmer into the cold plunge would be the most beneficial. Then you’re able to utilize that Exhale, the second plunge, to work your way back up to the hot water.” 

In addition to providing more pool options at the resort, each bath offers a unique array of health benefits fitting to the name “Yampah,” which means “big medicine.” 

The sound of running water and minerals from the Cascade Waters bath, the hottest of the five pools, can help moderate blood flow and ease stress and anxiety, according to the resort’s website. The cooler Inhale and Exhale baths offer similar benefits to cold water therapy, such as promoting speed healing, reducing inflammation, muscle recovery, circulation and more. 

The new Yampah Mineral Baths opened on May 24.
Andrea Teres-Martinez/Post Independent

The pools’ 15 minerals are the not-so-secret ingredients behind many of these benefits. Some of these minerals include: 

  • Sulfate – relieves pain and maintains healthy skin, hair and nails; 
  • Potassium – reduces high blood pressure and cholesterol; 
  • Magnesium – aids metabolism and protein synthesis; 
  • Zinc – helps proper functioning of immune and digestive systems; 
  • Boron – known to increase concentration and brain activity. 

The Yampah Mineral Baths — and their benefits — are included in all the pool passes and don’t require additional costs. All ages are welcome to enjoy the pools until 5 p.m., when the mineral baths become reserved for adults only. 

“Five o’clock gives it a good window (so that) even our families with younger children can go experience our new addition,” Mays said. “As we get past dinner, that gives us a whole area that’s nice and quiet and relaxing as you see the sunset going down in the background … it gives you that escape for the couple that’s looking for a quiet retreat.” 

The Inhale bath is the coldest of the Yampah Mineral Baths, sitting at 52°-60° Fahrenheit.
Andrea Teres-Martinez/Post Independent

The east end expansion replaces what used to be a kiddie pool, a small parking lot and a maintenance building. 

“Once we built the Splash zone (on the west end), we were able to close this kiddie pool because that was our means of getting families their own little place,” Mays said. 

The Splash Zone features a softer floor for children moving around, a zero-depth pool, an open-air tube ride, mini water slides and a fountain. 

“It’s been open for a handful of years. This was the first phase of expanding the property,” he said. “… It gives all these families a place to really enjoy the resort without impacting those that want to sit and relax and have a quiet corner. That’s the biggest benefit with our new expansion; it gives us the ability to cater toward both groups at the same time without impacting the other.” 

The pools are open year-round, as is the resort’s athletic club. 

“With lap lanes as well, we’re able to have it where (people) can come here for exercise,” Mays said. “Now (the pools) are another amenity to our gym, where you can do a cold plunge, you can come swim laps, and have it all in one place.” 

Guests at the Glenwood Hot Springs Resort splash down the Shoshone Chutes, an open-air tube ride with plenty of twists and turns.
Andrea Teres-Martinez/Post Independent

Although the new pools are operating, the resort is working to wrap up additional improvements to the east end expansion project, such as sidewalks, landscaping and fence work. 

“We still have some of those little loose ends that are kind of around the pools that we need to finish up, (like) some more permanent and nicer signage,” Mays said.  

The resort is continuously improving its amenities and expanding its offerings, with future projects currently in the planning process. 

“As far as the resort, we will continue to grow. We’re going to continue to expand, we’re going to continue to provide more for the guests. This is not the end of what we want to turn this place into,” Mays said. 

This fall, the resort will be launching a large remodel project on all 107 rooms of its lodge. 

Visit hotspringspool.com/Yampah-Mineral-Baths for more information on the new pools and their health benefits. 


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