For centuries, weary travelers have flocked to Glenwood Springs to soak in its healing, mineral-rich waters. Now, this beloved destination is getting a wellness-focused upgrade.
On the heels of its 10-year anniversary, Iron Mountain Hot Springs is debuting the Sauna Summit, which it describes as the first public sauna and plunge pool experience in Glenwood Springs and the most diverse sauna collection in the nation. The resort is also offering contrast therapy—the deliberate cycling between heat and cold—an approach that has gained traction in recent years among athletes, biohackers and wellness traditionalists alike.
Together, the expansion introduces sauna culture and contrast therapy as essential complements to Iron Mountain Hot Springs’ renowned geothermal mineral pools.
“The Sauna Summit is designed to give guests practical, proven ways to support their holistic well-being,” says Aaron McCallister, general manager of Iron Mountain Hot Springs. “By introducing sauna culture, cold plunges and intentional contrast therapy, we’re expanding the experience beyond soaking and offering new ways for people to recover, reset and feel their best.”
The resort now offers five new thermal features and three dedicated plunge pools. The appeal is both physiological and experiential. Proponents point to a range of benefits, from improved circulation and faster muscle recovery to better sleep and reduced stress.
But beyond the science, there’s a certain choreography to it. Guests can move through the property at their own pace, or participate in Iron Mountain Hot Springs’ guided circuits targeting specific health goals such as muscle recovery, cardiovascular health or nervous system regulation.
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Once relegated to Nordic traditions and elite training rooms, saunas and cold plunges have surged into the mainstream, fueled by a broader cultural shift toward proactive wellness. From boutique fitness studios to destinations like Iron Mountain Hot Springs, contrast therapy is increasingly embraced as both a social ritual and a science-backed way to recover, reset and recharge.
“With the popularity of saunas, cold plunging and contrast bathing, it made sense for us to not only expand on those features at Iron Mountain Hot Springs, but to also bring the very best experiences from around the world to Glenwood Springs,” says Rachel Sobke, senior director of water quality and offerings.
What sets the Sauna Summit apart is not just the number of offerings, but their diversity. Each sauna draws from a different global tradition, blending architectural cues with sensory elements.
“It’s time for guests to get out their passports again to visit the Summit,” says McCallister. “We are excited to bring even more global wellness, social and longevity benefits to our guests.”
The steam room channels the humid intensity of a Turkish hammam, which uses humid heat to help open pores, support skin detoxification and promote respiratory relief. Meanwhile the traditional dry sauna pays homage to Finnish bathing culture, with the deep, dry heat contributing to improved circulation, muscle recovery and stress reduction.
The red light clay sauna draws inspiration from the South Korean hanjeungmak, offering radiant heat and red light to encourage detoxification, joint comfort and cellular recovery. The aromatherapy sauna infuses the air with herbal notes reminiscent of a Russian banya, designed to stimulate circulation, ease muscle tension and calm the nervous system. Inspired by a Polish salt room, the salt sauna leans into mineral-rich air to support respiratory health, skin balance and relaxation.
That global sensibility is no accident. Iron Mountain Hot Springs is part of WorldSprings, a growing portfolio of destinations in Texas, Utah and Colorado that borrow inspiration from iconic geothermal sites around the world, from Iceland’s Blue Lagoon to the Dead Sea. Each WorldSprings location has as many as 32 total bodies of water inspired by famous geothermal locations, with temperatures ranging from 55°F to 108°F. WorldSprings’ soak experience is complemented by saunas, cold plunges, and freshwater pools. The company’s broader mission is to make wellness practices that might once have felt niche or inaccessible feel approachable, even social.
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“When we acquired Iron Mountain Hot Springs six years ago, the vision was to create a truly outstanding wellness attraction in America,” says Rob Kramer, co-founder of WorldSprings and managing partner of Off Road Capital. “The WorldSprings expansion, completed in 2023, followed by the opening of The Sauna Summit, accomplishes that objective.”
Here, wellness is not framed as solitary or austere. The spaces are designed to be open and communal, encouraging conversation as much as contemplation. It’s a place where visitors can move through a carefully constructed ritual—or simply spend an afternoon drifting between pools and saunas with friends.
There’s also a distinctly Colorado sensibility at play. Designed to be a “slopes-to-soak” experience, the Sauna Summit taps into the rhythms of outdoor recreation that define the region. After a day on the mountains—or hiking, biking or exploring in warmer months—guests can transition seamlessly into a different kind of recovery, one that feels both ancient and newly relevant.
“The Sauna Summit is purpose-built for guests to partake in contrast therapy and settle into an open, inviting space that encourages connection and shared time,” says McCallister. “It allows guests to reset their bodies through intentional wellness experiences or simply spend the day together in a beautiful setting, positioning Iron Mountain as a destination for both wellness enthusiasts and those seeking a more social, elevated way to unwind.”
