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Fairy Caves: A Historic Journey Underground

Discover the historic Fairy Caves at Glenwood Caverns, a journey through time and natural beauty in Glenwood Springs.

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Explore the Fairy Caves, a part of Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, and step back in time to the late 1800s when they were first opened to the public. Discover the history and natural beauty of these caverns on a guided walking tour.

A brief summary to Fairy Caves

Local tips

  • Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the tour involves a quarter-mile walk through the cave.
  • Bring a light jacket or sweater, as the cave temperature remains a constant 52 degrees Fahrenheit (11 degrees Celsius) year-round.
  • Be prepared for Glenwood Springs' unpredictable weather, as a portion of the Historic Fairy Cave Tour is outside.
  • Consider visiting during the Music on the Mountain summer concert series for mountaintop musical entertainment.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Glenwood Gondola terminal at the top of Iron Mountain, follow the signs for the Historic Fairy Caves Tour. The entrance is a short walk from the terminal. Cave tour times are posted at the Glenwood Gondola ticket counter and the customer service gazebo in the Plaza. Be aware that the tour is a 40-minute guided walking tour that is appropriate for most fitness levels.

  • Public Transport

    From various locations in Glenwood Springs, take the Ride Glenwood on-demand service to the Glenwood Gondola. This service costs $1 per ride within city limits. From the base, purchase a gondola ticket ($32 if purchased online, $37 at the gate) to reach the park and cave entrance. Alternatively, the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) also serves Glenwood Springs.

  • Driving

    Drive to the Glenwood Gondola at 51000 Two Rivers Plaza Road, Glenwood Springs. Parking is available at the Glenwood Gondola station for $5. A free parking lot is located a short distance away. From the parking area, purchase a gondola ticket ($32 online, $37 at the gate) to access Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park and the Fairy Caves.

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Discover more about Fairy Caves

The Fairy Caves, nestled within Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, offer a unique blend of history and natural wonder. Originally opened in 1886 by Charles Darrow, a Glenwood Springs attorney, the caves quickly became a popular tourist destination, even earning the moniker of the "Eighth Wonder of the World". Visitors can explore the upper section of the cave on the Historic Fairy Caves Tour, a quarter-mile journey that retraces the steps of early explorers. The tour includes a visit to Exclamation Point, which offers breathtaking views of Glenwood Canyon and the Roaring Fork and Grand (Colorado) River Valleys. The tour also features "History Lane", illuminated with replica Edison and Marconi-style light bulbs, giving visitors a glimpse of what the caves were like over 100 years ago. The caves closed in 1917 but reopened in 1999 after 82 years, thanks to the efforts of Steve and Jeanne Beckley, who implemented modern cave preservation methods. Today, visitors can see both the historic Fairy Caves and the living Glenwood Caverns sections, which are being preserved with care. The Glenwood Caverns system has more than 16,000 known feet.

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