Glenwood Springs hails National Natural Landmark designations
There is yet another reason to put Glenwood Springs, Colorado on your next adventure bucket list.
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Debra Haaland announced Glenwood Caverns and Iron Mountain Hot Springs have together been designated a National Natural Landmark.
The designation cites the millions of years of geologic history in the location and their unique cave ecosystems.
“Glenwood’s caverns and hot springs are iconic Colorado treasures,” said U.S. Senator Michael F. Bennet.
“I am pleased to see them recognized as a National Natural Landmark and appreciate the Beckleys’ ongoing efforts to preserve these valuable resources for future generations.”
The National Natural Landmarks (NNL) Program was created in 1962 to recognize and support the conservation of sites that represent natural heritage.
The program now includes more than 600 designated sites that contain outstanding examples of biological or geological features.
Landmark sites are deemed nationally significant based on their condition, illustrative character, rarity, diversity and their value to science and education.
In 1999, Steve and Jeanne Beckley purchased the property and vowed to conserve and preserve the caverns.
“We are honored by the National Natural Landmark designation and so happy to continue to offer guests the opportunity to experience these natural wonders,” said founder and owner Steve Beckley.
The Beckleys applied for the NNL designation ten years ago, not yet understanding the full extent of how the site’s karstic components relate to each other.
Through the NNL program process it was discovered that the downcutting of the Colorado River into the Leadville Limestone created unique ecosystems within Iron Mountain.
Both the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park caves and Iron Mountain Hot Springs are habitats for species adapted to live in the extreme environments of the hot springs.
These includes eight native troglobites (fully cave-adapted species) and a diversity of microbes and 38 unique types of bacteria.
The National Park Service works in partnership with landmark to recognize and support conservation of nationally significant sites.
Iron Mountain Hot Springs has 32 different pools, two cafes and a newly added 21+ adults only section called WorldSprings.
It features a cold plunge pool, a Dead Sea Pool and a waterfall freshwater pool.
Related News Stories: Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument The CORE Act | U.S. Senator Michael Bennet White River National Forest - Camp Hale Memorial Campground Warren, Rhode Island Statewide Preservation Report BW-1 Executive Summary Illinois | FEMA.gov Fiske Terrace-Midwood Park Historic District ON-010 Colorado Groundwater Atlas - Colorado Geological Survey CertainTeed: Home Biennial Report
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent