Glenwood Springs Airport: Does It Exist?

Glenwood Springs, Colorado, is a popular vacation destination, offering hot springs, a mountain-top theme park, whitewater rafting, cycling, and hiking. The town is served by several airports, including the Glenwood Springs Municipal Airport, a general aviation facility owned by the City of Glenwood Springs and managed by KGWS Sumers Airpark. However, travellers can also opt for nearby airports such as Eagle County Regional Airport, Aspen-Pitkin County Airport, Grand Junction Regional Airport, and Denver International Airport. These airports provide varying travel times and experiences, allowing visitors to choose the most convenient option for their journey to Glenwood Springs.

Glenwood Springs Municipal Airport

Glenwood Springs does have an airport, known as the Glenwood Springs Municipal Airport. It is a general aviation facility owned by the City of Glenwood Springs and managed by KGWS Sumers Airpark. The airport is located 3 miles south of the city and is surrounded by mountains.

On April 4, 2024, the Glenwood Springs City Council approved a lease agreement with a newly formed nonprofit, KGWS Sumers Airpark, for the management of the airport. The lease commenced on May 1, 2024 and has an initial term of 20 years, with options to renew twice for additional 10-year periods. The goal of this long-term lease is to ensure a well-functioning and maintained facility that is managed by airport users.

The airport is also known as the KGWS Sumers Airpark and was previously called the Glenwood Springs Municipal Airport before the lease agreement and name change in 2024. The organisation that manages the airport is made up of local pilots, community members, and aviation enthusiasts.

The airport is located 8 miles from the Glenwood Springs, Colorado, 27 miles from Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE), and 44 miles from Aspen-Pitkin County Airport (ASE).

Nearest airports to Glenwood Springs

Glenwood Springs is located in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, between Vail and Aspen. The nearest airport to Glenwood Springs is Rifle (RIL) Airport, which is 21.1 miles away. However, this airport is a local airport, and the closest major airport is Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE), 27 miles away.

Other nearby airports include:

• Aspen-Pitkin County Airport (ASE) - 33.8-44 miles away
• Yampa Valley Regional Airport (HDN) - 64.9 miles away
• Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ) - 78.7-140 miles away
• Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) - 87-90 miles away
• Denver International Airport (DEN) - 180 miles away

Glenwood Springs is served by four airports, with Eagle/Vail, Aspen, Grand Junction, and Denver International Airport being the closest. Glenwood Springs Municipal Airport (GWS) and Garfield County Regional Airport (RIL) are also non-commercial airports in the area.

Airports in the area

Glenwood Springs is served by four airports, with the closest being Rifle (RIL) Airport, 21.1 miles away. The other three airports are Eagle/Vail, 30 miles away; Aspen, 40 miles away; and Grand Junction, 90 miles away. Denver International Airport is also an option, at 180 miles away.

Eagle/Vail County Regional Airport (EGE)

A 40-minute drive east of Glenwood Springs, this airport is served by American, Delta, and United Airlines. It is a convenient option for those looking to cut down on driving time.

Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE)

Aspen Airport is served by American, Delta, and United Airlines. Car rentals are available, but for those looking to travel car-free, the Roaring Fork Transit Authority (RFTA) bus goes from the airport to Glenwood Springs.

Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT)

Grand Junction Airport is 90 miles from Glenwood Springs. Airlines serving this airport include Allegiant, American, Breeze, Delta, and United. Car rentals are available, and there is also the option to take the Bustang to Glenwood Springs.

Denver International Airport (DEN)

Denver International Airport is 180 miles from Glenwood Springs. From the airport, you can take the light rail to Union Station in downtown Denver, where you can access Amtrak and Bustang.

Glenwood Springs Municipal Airport (GWS)

Glenwood Springs Municipal Airport is a general aviation facility owned by the City of Glenwood Springs and managed by KGWS Sumers Airpark. This is a non-commercial airport.

Garfield County Regional Airport (RIL)

The closest airport to Glenwood Springs, Rifle-Garfield County Airport, is also a non-commercial airport.

Flying into Denver International Airport

Glenwood Springs does have an airport, the Glenwood Springs Municipal Airport, which is a general aviation facility owned by the City of Glenwood Springs and managed by KGWS Sumers Airpark. However, the closest airport to Glenwood Springs is Rifle (RIL) Airport, which is 21.1 miles away.

If you are flying into Denver International Airport (DEN), there are a few things you should know. Firstly, it is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving tens of thousands of people each day. It is located about 25 miles from Downtown Denver, which is about a 30-minute drive, depending on traffic.

Denver International Airport offers direct flights to destinations around the country and the world, including Reykjavik, Iceland. It is a hub for Frontier, Southwest, and United Airlines. When flying into DEN, it is recommended that you arrive at least 2 hours before your domestic flight and 3 hours before your international flight. If you are not checking bags, you can arrive at least 60 minutes before departure. Keep in mind that you will need time to account for transportation to the airport, parking, shuttle time, checking your bags, printing your ticket, going through security, and finding your gate.

The airport has two main options for parking, arrival pick-ups, and departure drop-offs: East and West. These options depend on which airline you are flying with. If you are arriving by train, you will still need to head in the correct direction to find your airline and check in.

There are several choices for airport parking lots, which are either owned by the airport or third parties. You can save money by parking in one of the third-party lots and taking a free shuttle to the terminal, but this will take a little extra time.

Ground transportation options can be found on Level 5 on either side of the main terminal. Some options include taxis, limousines/sedans, hotel shuttles, charter buses, on-airport parking shuttles, rental car shuttles, public bus services, off-airport parking shuttles, and rideshare apps such as Lyft and Uber.

Denver International Airport has a variety of dining options, ranging from local favourites to popular national names. Each concourse offers a wide selection of food during typical dining hours, and there are also places to eat in the Jeppesen Terminal pre-security.

The airport also features various artworks as part of Denver's public art program, including sculptures, murals, photos, sound art, and paintings. One notable piece is the Blue Mustang by artist Luis Jiménez—a 32-foot-tall bright blue cast-fiberglass sculpture of a horse with glowing red eyes.

Transport from Denver International Airport to Glenwood Springs

Glenwood Springs does have an airport, the Glenwood Springs Municipal Airport, which is a general aviation facility owned by the City of Glenwood Springs and managed by KGWS Sumers Airpark. However, the nearest major airports to Glenwood Springs are Eagle County Regional Airport (23.1-27 miles away) and Aspen-Pitkin County Airport (33.8-44 miles away). The closest airport to Glenwood Springs is Rifle (RIL) Airport, which is 21.1 miles away.

By Plane and Bus

The fastest way to get to Glenwood Springs is to fly to Aspen-Pitkin County Airport and then take a bus. This journey takes around 2 hours and costs between $200 and $600.

By Car

The cheapest way to get to Glenwood Springs is to drive. The journey is around 180 miles and takes approximately 3 hours. This option costs between $30 and $50.

By Bus

Taking the bus is the best way to get from Denver International Airport to Glenwood Springs without a car. The journey takes approximately 4 hours and costs between $90 and $170.

By Train

You can also take the train from Denver to Glenwood Springs. This journey takes between 5 hours and 7 hours and costs between $20 and $110.

Frequently asked questions