Tips for Visiting Doc Holliday’s Memorial – A Glenwood Springs Must-See!

So, I’ve gotta say…I feel like I’m really not that old.  I’m in my early 30’s, so I think we can all agree that I definitely don’t have one foot in the grave. Despite this, I feel really old when I talk to others about Doc Holliday.  I literally can’t count on my one hand how many people have given me a blank stare when I talk about hiking to Doc Holliday’s Memorial in Glenwood Springs, CO.  Here’s how the conversation typically goes:

Me: Oh yes, I love visiting Glenwood Springs! We like to hike up to Doc Holliday’s Memorial.  You can access it from the middle of town!

People who make me feel old: (blank stare) Oh….ok, cool.

Me: (slightly flabbergasted and taken aback by their blank stare and non-committal stance until it finally dawns on me) Do you know who Doc Holliday is?

People who make me feel old: No I’ve never heard of him.

Me: (Quickly does a birthday count to make sure I’m not 174 years old) Well he was Wyatt’s…(now I’m worried that they don’t even know who Wyatt Earp is) just someone from the Old West. (Laments the lack of people in my generation who have seen Tombstone.)

I mean, it doesn’t make you a bad person or anything…it just makes me feel old!

Now that I’ve got that out of the way, the first thing I want to say about visiting Doc Holliday’s Memorial is that Glenwood Springs is so beautiful!! Everything is so green and lush – I just fell in love with it!  It’s definitely a place that you’ll want to visit if ever you come to Colorado!

Secondly, Doc Holliday’s Memorial at Pioneer Cemetary is most likely not his actual gravesite.  I don’t want this to be misleading, so I wanted to make sure y’all know!  Although his remains were reportedly buried somewhere in this cemetery, they don’t actually know for sure where they are.  Hence the title of “Memorial” and not “Grave”…or Tombstone???? (I couldn’t resist.)

Hike is a generous term for the path leading up to the Pioneer Cemetery.  At less than a mile, I really don’t feel like I’ve done anything – but it definitely has an incline to it so if you aren’t a frequent hiker you’ll probably feel it some…especially if you aren’t used to the elevation! Here are some specs on this short trail:

Directions: The trailhead to Pioneer Cemetery is located a few blocks off Main Street at the corner of 12th Street and Bennett Avenue.  It’s easy to find, especially if you just plug it into your GPS! There are signs off Main Street as well to help out.

Restrooms: No

Distance: 0.7 miles roundtrip, which does not include any walking around once you are to the top

Difficulty: easy-moderate

Pets OK: Dogs are OK on leash

Crowds: moderate-heavy

Fees/Permits: none

Tips:

• You are allowed to park in the residential neighborhood.  We parked close to Main Street, did our shopping, ate at a restaurant, and then walked to the trailhead.
• This is a very short hike but it is a very steady uphill trek once you start.  Even though it’s short, bring lots of water (especially if you’re not used to the altitude!)
• If you visit during the summer, this is a very hot hike! Most of the trail is in direct sun with little shade, so be prepared with water and sun protection!
• This trail can be very muddy depending on the time of year!
• Make sure to stop at Harvey Logan aka “Kid Curry’s” Marker as well! Another outlaw and gunman, Kid Curry ran with the likes of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid back in the old days!
• Some websites have this Cemetery labeled as “Linwood” and “Pioneer”.  The trailhead says “Pioneer Cemetery”, but just know that if you are reading Linwood somewhere else, it’s actually the same place.

The Pioneer Cemetery itself is very picturesque! Located on top of a hill overlooking Glenwood Springs, it offers fantastic views of the town and surrounding mountains!  Even if I didn’t get to visit Doc’s Memorial here, I’d still recommend visiting it for the old, historic markers and the surrounding views!

Since the hike is so short you’ll have plenty of time to stroll around the Cemetery to see all the historic Markers…

or just admire the views of Glenwood Springs!

The Memorial was well marked and easy to find.  There’s a fence that goes around it, but sometimes there are items left on top of the marker by people paying their respects to the famous Gunman.

The second time I went to visit the Memorial there were lots of cards, empty alcohol bottles, and cigarettes left at the marker (pictured above).

I included the above picture for those of you who may not know much about ol’ John Henry Holliday!! (Doc to his friends…that’s me.)  I love the quote from Wyatt Earp:

“Doc was a dentist whom necessity had made a gambler; a gentleman whom disease had made a frontier vagabond; a philosopher whom life had made a caustic wit; a long, lean ash-blond fellow nearly dead with consumption, and at the same time the most skillful gambler and the nerviest, speediest, deadliest man with a six-gun I ever knew.”

Obviously, a lot of my fandom of Doc Holliday is due to the movie Tombstone, but if you ever do any research on the historical facts about him it’s pretty evident that he was one bad mamma jamma.

Truly, this short hike is worth doing even if Doc Holliday’s Memorial wasn’t here! I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again – the views of Glenwood Springs are outstanding!

Had to get a picture of my little family by the Memorial! My husband and I are both fans of the movie Tombstone and interested in the historical figure himself! We couldn’t pass up an opportunity to see this and I’m glad we did!

Anyways, that’s all I’ve got for this fun stop in Glenwood Springs!  Don’t forget to leave me a comment!!

Sometimes I wonder… if y’all don’t leave me a comment…Does this mean we’re not friends anymore?

If I thought you weren’t my friend, I just don’t think I could bear it!

Until next time!