25 In Colorado/ Hiking + The Outdoors/ Travel

Hanging Lake Trail – Glenwood Springs, Colorado

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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.

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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.



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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.

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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.

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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.

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They’ve built a nice observation deck around the lake, which is great because it helps to protect the fragile environment up there. 
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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. 

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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.

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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!



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25 Comments

  • Reply
    Flying to Adventure--with Detours
    November 7, 2016 at 9:31 am

    Curses! My knees won’t allow me to do hikes like this anymore. Thanks for letting me hike vicariously through you.

    • Reply
      Paige Wunder
      November 7, 2016 at 4:24 pm

      No problem! I’m sorry to hear about your knees! Luckily for them, and you, there are loads of flat trail too! Thanks for checking out my post! Cheers!

  • Reply
    Courtney Minor
    November 7, 2016 at 6:54 pm

    I’ve been wanting to do this hike for so long but I always end up passing through Colorado in the winter. There’s too much ice & snow whenever I’m there. I’ll have to plan a trip for summer or autumn!

    • Reply
      Paige Wunder
      November 7, 2016 at 8:24 pm

      I’m glad I’m not the only person who has missed this hike before getting to do it. I promise it’s worth the wait! I heard that it’s insanely busy in the summer, but it was great in the fall we found parking, even in the afternoon. Have fun!

  • Reply
    Meghan
    November 8, 2016 at 1:11 pm

    So beautiful, Paige! I love your photos!

  • Reply
    FablesandCoffee
    November 8, 2016 at 5:39 pm

    I passed by this just last month and wondered at all the people in the parking lot 😛 lovely photos!

    • Reply
      Paige Wunder
      November 9, 2016 at 6:02 pm

      Haha! I guess you’ll have to stop next time, huh? 🙂

  • Reply
    Jen Morrow
    November 9, 2016 at 10:13 am

    I like hiking around Colorado, such beautiful trails. Beautiful lake, and no worries about me swimming in there, I know how cold that water is! BBBBUUURRRRRRR.

    • Reply
      Paige Wunder
      November 9, 2016 at 4:31 pm

      Haha! I can only imagine – especially this time of year! Not to mention that we drove through a snowstorm heading from here to Denver that day!

  • Reply
    thetravelpockets
    November 9, 2016 at 12:32 pm

    That water is so crystal clear! I absolutely love Colorado. I’ve never been on this hike, but am wondering if I would be able to do it with all the camera gear I usually take with me. I would definitely need to get into shape since this one sounds very steep.

    • Reply
      Paige Wunder
      November 9, 2016 at 4:22 pm

      It is absolutely beautiful. It’s worth it to be able to just take it all in, even if you have to leave some gear behind. I hope you get to make it sometime.

  • Reply
    Claire
    November 9, 2016 at 2:44 pm

    I’ve travelled quite a bit in the states but not been to Colorado yet, this hike looks amazing! And that water!! Shame you can’t swim in it, but conservation should be the top priority 🙂

    • Reply
      Paige Wunder
      November 9, 2016 at 4:14 pm

      I had traveled through Colorado several times and made stops in Denver and attempted to drive to the top of Pikes Peak (but our car broke down halfway up) but this was my first time really getting out and seeing the mountains and the amazing beauty of it! I will definitely be returning over and over again!

  • Reply
    carmyy
    November 9, 2016 at 2:58 pm

    This hike looks absolutely beautiful! How groomed was the path? Would you recommend this as a beginner or a more advanced hike? I’m dying to go to Colorado for trail running – it looks absolutely beautiful!

    • Reply
      Paige Wunder
      November 9, 2016 at 3:51 pm

      The path was a bit rocky. It isn’t paved or anything. The first part is all large rocks that sort-of make steps.
      I would say, for me it wouldn’t be too hard for a beginner as long as the beginner is in decent shape. I’ve never been trail running (I don’t like regular running! Haha), but I think it’s pretty steep for running and not exceptionally wide. Like I said, I’ve never been trail running, so I may be totally wrong.

  • Reply
    Christina
    November 10, 2016 at 2:48 am

    Looks like a lovely short hike through beautiful scenery. The water looks so clear. I’ve always thought of Colorado as a skiing destination but obviously the hiking is pretty good too.

  • Reply
    Svet Dimitrov
    November 10, 2016 at 7:07 am

    Paige, this is an utterly amazing place. It’s so good you came back to visit it. The views are just stupendous, drop-dead gorgeous, out of this planet…

    I wonder how many places we have missed during our wanderings! Excellent photos, by the way!

  • Reply
    Wandering JM
    November 10, 2016 at 9:14 am

    Seems like that this is a great place to hike! it is beautiful but too bad i cannot hike there really soon. too far from where I am now. 🙂

  • Reply
    eatlivetraveldrink
    November 10, 2016 at 9:53 am

    When I read posts like this it inspires me to want to be outside more. To go and experience new things. I spend most of my time in the city but nature always seems to win with its beauty.

  • Reply
    Ivy
    November 10, 2016 at 11:03 am

    This is such a stunning hike! I have a thing for lakes and waterfalls so this would totally be up my alley. Are you able to go underneath the spouting rock, closer to the water?

  • Reply
    nycgingeronthego
    November 10, 2016 at 10:31 pm

    Such a beautiful lake. The water is an amazing color. Why can’t you swim in the lake? Is swimming really considered that destructive? I’ve never heard of this…un;ess there are alligators.

  • Reply
    Aubrie
    March 22, 2017 at 11:27 pm

    I need to google this and see how close this is to me in Utah, it looks amazing! Hiking is one of my hobbies and I am always looking for new places to go! Great pictures!

  • Reply
    Agness of aTukTuk
    April 7, 2017 at 3:44 pm

    This seems like a great trail! I would love to go for a hike there!

    • Reply
      Paige Wunder
      April 13, 2017 at 10:05 pm

      It’s definitely my current Colorado favorite! Thanks for checking it out! Cheers!

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