25 Nov Soak in the Night Sky at Iron Mountain Hot Springs
Come for a soak and stay for the stargazing. Iron Mountain Hot Springs is one of the most relaxing places to ponder the beauty of the night sky.
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, settling into the mineral pools at Iron Mountain Hot Springs becomes a front-row seat to the awe-inspiring cosmos. Even if you’re not an amateur astronomer, the beauty of the firmament is a landscape worth admiring, especially while soaking!
How to Enjoy the Heavenly Sights
With the shift back to standard time and that familiar “fall back” one-hour clock change, we’re entering the darkest stretch of the year. For stargazers, that means prime viewing time arrives early. In Glenwood Springs from late November through January, last light happens between 5:15 and 5:30 p.m. By 6 p.m., depending on the moon’s phase, the sky can turn pitch black—perfect conditions for spotting stars, constellations, and planets. The stars are so bright this time of year, that even the ambient lighting emitted at the resort and in the surrounding area doesn’t hold a candle to the light show overhead.
For a seat at the evening’s best show in the galaxy, make your soaking reservations a little later in the evening. It’s the easiest way to double-dip in both the hot mineral waters and the winter starlight.
What to Look for in the Night Sky Now Through January
Most of us can pick out the Big and Little Dippers, those dual cosmic ladles that act as celestial landmarks. But winter skies offer so much more. Look for Cassiopeia, a formation of five bright stars near the dippers. Crisp cold nights also bring into focus winter constellations like Orion, with his unmistakable belt; Taurus, marked by the fiery glow of Aldebaran; and Gemini, the twin stars Castor and Pollux. Don’t forget to look for Pleiades, also known as the Seven Sisters, a shimmering cluster of distant stars.
Planets put on a dazzling show too this time of year; most notably the largest two in our galaxy—Jupiter and Saturn.
And of course, the sheer size of the moon makes it a showstopper for months to come. The next full moon on Dec. 4, the Cold Moon, and the Wolf Moon on Jan. 3 will both be supermoons—full moons that occur near the moon’s closest point in its elliptical orbit around Earth. Supermoons appear noticeably larger and brighter, sometimes up to 30 percent bigger than a typical full moon. Imagine soaking in the warm mineral waters as moonbeams dance across the pools. Pure magic—Iron Mountain Hot Springs style!
Download A Stargazing App
If you’re interested in knowing more about the night sky, consider downloading a stargazing app. Many popular ones, like Sky Tonight, Night Sky, and Stellarium Mobile, are free and perfect for budding astronomers. These handy tools help you identify stars, constellations, and planets in real time—just point your phone at the sky!
More Night Moves
Nighttime at Iron Mountain Hot Springs is a special time to soak, and there are two ways to enjoy the waters. Premier Access offers those 21+, an adults-only soaking experience in globally-inspired soaking pools, while visitors with Select Access can enjoy the family-friendly atmosphere of the Legacy Pools at Iron Mountain Hot Springs. Either way, both offer the perfect setting for stargazing.
Wherever you soak, the Sopris Café and Sandbar Café are open in the evenings, serving snacks, cocktails, mocktails, and drinks, ideal for sipping while admiring the artistry of the night sky.
Star Light, Star Bright!
Winter nights are calling. For an out-of-this-world experience, let the cosmos become part of your soaking experience at Iron Mountain Hot Springs. Make your evening reservations now and discover just how heavenly a hot springs night can be.
Karin Gamba has been writing professionally for the travel and tourism markets for nearly two decades. She has promoted a wide array of travel products that include destination towns, vacation resorts, golf courses, ski areas, spas, hotels, restaurants and countless visitor attractions. Karin especially loves writing about her hometown of Glenwood Springs.