Glenwood Canyon Rest Areas Improvements | Design Phase

About the Project

This project will update three rest areas located along Interstate 70 (I-70) in Glenwood Canyon. The restrooms, vending areas, pet relief areas and signage at Bair Ranch, Grizzly Creek and No Name rest areas will be replaced or renovated to improve the user experience and minimize maintenance needs. The water treatment systems at each site will also be updated in conjunction with this project.

Design of these rest area improvements began in late summer 2025 and will continue into 2026. Reconstruction of the rest areas is expected to start in 2027 and take three years to complete, with one rest area being completed per year.

Schedule & Important Dates

  • Fall 2025/Winter 2026: Preliminary design in coordination with stakeholders using Context Sensitive Solutions process
  • Spring 2026: Virtual public meeting to share project plans
  • Summer 2026: Complete environmental clearance process
  • 2027 to 2029: Reconstruction of the three rest areas (one per year)

Project Area

A map of I-70 through Glenwood Canyon showing the three rest areas to be replaced or renovated: the Bair Ranch Rest Area at Mile Point 128.5, the Grizzly Creek Rest Area at Mile Point 121.02 and the No Name Rest Area at Mile Point 118.64.
A map of I-70 through Glenwood Canyon showing the three rest areas to be replaced or renovated: the Bair Ranch rest area at Mile Point 128.5, the Grizzly Creek rest area at MP 121.02 and the No Name rest area at MP 118.64.

 Context Sensitive Solutions Process

All I-70 Mountain Corridor projects follow a distinct CSS process. As apart of the CSS process, various groups are formed to work closely with the project team and assist with project decision-making. These groups review and evaluate alternatives, review environmental impacts and discuss mitigation.

Depending on a project’s size and complexity, these groups can include a Project Leadership Team (PLT), a Technical Team (TT) and Issue Task Forces (ITFs) for special interests such as history, wildlife and water quality. Due to the limited scope of the Glenwood Canyon Rest Areas Project, the PLT and TT are being combined into one group and no ITFs are anticipated.

 Rest Area Information

The Bair Ranch, Grizzly Creek and No Name rest areas were all built as part of the final link of I-70 through Glenwood Canyon, completed in 1992.

Before the construction of I-70 through the canyon, drivers along US 6 enjoyed numerous roadside and riverside areas for picnics, fishing, hiking and rafting. When the construction of I-70 eliminated these areas, impacts were mitigated by designing access to the canyon’s recreational amenities from each rest area.

Bair Ranch Rest Area

The Bair Ranch rest area is located along the south side of I-70 at MP 128.5. The rest area is accessible from both directions of I-70 and includes a large plaza overlooking the Colorado River and several picnic tables. The rest area also provides access to the Glenwood Canyon Recreation Path and access to the south side of the river.

Bair Ranch rest area front view
Bair Ranch rest area front view
A pathway at the Bair Ranch rest area with location maps on the left side
A pathway at the Bair Ranch rest area with location maps on the left side
Concrete steps going down to the river at the Bair Ranch rest area
Concrete steps going down to the river at the Bair Ranch rest area

Grizzly Creek Rest Area

The Grizzly Creek rest area is located along the south side of I-70 at Mile Point 121.02. This rest area is accessible from both directions of I-70 and provides access to the Glenwood Canyon recreation path. This rest area has considerable use because the Grizzly Creek trailhead and Grizzly Creek boat launch, popular starting points for hikes and rafting, are located immediately adjacent. The rest area includes several picnic tables and access to trails and the boat launch.

Grizzly Creek rest area front view featuring bike racks by the entrance
Grizzly Creek rest area front view featuring bike racks by the entrance
A paved trail near the Grizzlyy Creek rest area
A paved trail near the Grizzly Creek rest area
The front area of the Grizzly Creek rest area overlooking the mountains and concrete blocks for seating
The front side of the Grizzly Creek rest area featuring concrete blocks for seating

No Name Rest Area

The No Name rest area is located along the south side of I-70 at MP 118.64, about three miles east of Glenwood Springs. This rest area is accessible from both directions of I-70 and provides access to the No Name trailhead and the Glenwood Canyon recreation path. The rest area features an elevated viewing platform that is accessible by people with mobility impairments and picnic tables shaded by a large pergola.

No Name rest area front view with vending machines on the right side of the entrance
No Name rest area front view
A map and information about the location with mountain backdrop at the No Name rest area
A map and information about the location with mountain backdrop at the No Name rest area
A paved trail from the parking lot to the rest area building
A paved trail from the parking lot to the No Name rest area building