Hanging Lake Trail – Glenwood Springs, Colorado

This post was updated January 2023.

Way back in 2012, my dad and I were on one of our father / daughter hiking trips in Utah and we passed through Glenwood Canyon. We stopped to use the restroom and saw a trailhead for Hanging Lake Trail, but we were on a time crunch so we passed it up. Upon Googling it later we realized that we totally missed out! It took me a little over four years to get back here, but this was the first hike we did on Matt’s birthday trip to Colorado before going to Estes Park!

This trail is best known for the waterfall-fed, turquoise blue lake nestled into the edge of the mountainside. It’s also famous for the log laying within the lake, although walking out on this log, like you may see in social media posts, is prohibited. Hanging Lake is a well-trafficked trail and in addition to the absolutely gorgeous lake that awaits hikers at the end of this trail there are loads of stunning viewpoints and overlooks along the way.

Hanging Lake Trail Need to Know

IMPORTANT UPDATE: This trail is open again!!! There are strict permits, which I’ll detail below.
TRAIL LENGHT: The Hanging Lake trail is 3.2 miles, out and back.
TRAIL DIFFICULTY: Moderately Difficult. This trail is by no means the most difficult trail I’ve ever done, but it is essentially 1.6 miles straight up and 1.6 miles straight down with an elevation gain of 1200 feet.
PERMIT NEEDED: A permit is now needed to take this trail to help keep this trail as wild as possible. A permit is needed to even park in the lot and permits will be required for each hiker.
TRAILHEAD LOCATION: This trail is located just off I70. There are signs leading up to it and there is a parking area specifically for this trail. There is no Hanging Lake exit for those traveling westbound. Get off at Grizzly Creek and get back on I-70 eastbound. Hanging Lake Trail is on exit 125.
IS IT DOG-FRIENDLY? Unfortunately for the hikers who love to hit the trails with their furry friends, dogs are prohibited on this trail. Also, it’s prohibited to leave your dog in your car.

Hanging Lake Trail Permit System

Since Matt and I visited Hanging Lake in 2016, they’ve implemented a permit system to help preserve this area.

TWO PERMIT SEASONS: There are two permit seasons: May 1st – October 31st ($12/person) and November 1st – April 30th ($10/person). Your permit is only assigned to a date, you can come any time during that day.
WHERE TO PURCHASE YOUR PERMIT: Your permit can be purchased on this website.
HOW MANY PERMITS/DAY: There are currently 615 permits available each day and the website tells you how many are left before purchasing.
CAB YOU BUY MORE THAN ONE PERMIT? Yes, you can purchase up to 19 permits in each transaction.

Booking.com

Hitting the Hanging Lake Trail

We were lucky enough to hit this trail in 2016 before masses and masses of people were visiting, which caused the permit program to be necessary. We were so very excited to be able to hit this trail and it has remained one of our favorites that we’ve done during our marriage because of the amazing payoff at the end of the trail.

The trail is easy to spot from the parking area. It starts up these rocks. They sort-of make steps and make it very easy to work your way up the side of the cliff.

The stream that creates the lake at the top flows down the cliffs into smaller cascades that you follow up the side of the cliff. It’s very peaceful sounding all along the way. I love that you get this sweet sound of nature as you wind up the trail.

Although the Hanging Lake Trail is very well-trafficked we were on our own the vast majority of the time and found so much peace along the way up. The only crowd that we encountered was near the top at the narrowest part of the trail and, of course, at the lake itself.

Just before reaching the hanging lake, there’s an extremely narrow part of the trail that hugs the edge of the cliff. The have it sort-of fenced off  you feel more secure doing the climb up. In addition to all of the excitement, check out this incredible view?! (photo above – bottom right in the gallery) Glenwood Canyon is absolutely an underrated beauty within the state of Colorado.

Just a few yards past the intense part, you turn the corner to see the stunning view you’ve been hiking for! Multiple streams of water fall over moss-covered cliffs and into the bright turquoise water of Hanging Lake.

There are all kinds of little fish in Hanging Lake as well! Not only is the water a bright, beautiful color, but it’s crystal clear! Don’t forget, though, that swimming and fishing in Hanging Lake is also prohibited.

This log stretches across a good section of the lake. Like I said earlier in this post, people often post taking photos on this log, but signs ask you not to walk across it, as it is prohibited. 

Also, be sure not to miss the spouting rock above the lake. I had never heard of this part of this trail, but if you continue straight instead of veering right to go to the lake, you will come to this waterfall gushing out of a cliffside. This water continues down the mountain and feeds into Hanging Lake.

The trip back down was easier on me (having asthma, the trip up is always harder for me), but for Matt (who has a wonky knee) the trip down is harder a lot of times. 

Hiking Gear We Recommend For This Hike

This is one of the most popular short hikes in Colorado, and it’s understandable why. This trail is beautiful all the way up and the finale at the top is unforgettable. This is in the top three trails that I did in 2016, and I’ve done a lot of them this year. If you’re anywhere near this trail and love phenomenal natural sites, be sure to take the time to do it.

Where to Stay Near Here

There are many options to stay near this trail and others in the area. This trail is quite close to Glenwood Springs and is a great place to use as your jumping off point for a hiking trip in this area!

Booking.com

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