Hike to Hanging Lake in Glenwood Canyon

Hanging Lake Trail in Glenwood Canyon is one of those places that feels almost unreal. 💚🏔️💦 The hike itself is relatively short in distance, but don’t let the mileage fool you. It’s a challenging climb with a steady uphill grade and plenty of elevation gain. It definitely makes you work for the views, but the payoff is incredible. When you reach Hanging Lake, it honestly looks like something out of a fairytale. The turquoise-green water is surrounded by dramatic cliffs, lush vegetation, and beautiful waterfalls flowing into the lake. Not much further of a hike up, there’s also a waterfall that flows right out of the sandstone cliff above the lake, which makes the whole area feel even more magical. So if you’re up for a little more exploring, you can hike farther up to get a closer look at that waterfall coming out of the sandstone. Standing beneath those towering cliffs and waterfalls is such a cool experience. There were a couple of Stellar’s Jays that came down to see us as we sat and gazed over the lake’s beauty. The birds were such a gorgeous blue. This trail is very well maintained and kept up. You need a timed permit/reservation to hike Hanging Lake, so plan ahead before you go. The trail is challenging, but it’s absolutely worth the effort. This was one of my favorite shorter hikes and one of the most beautiful and unique lakes I’ve seen. 🥾🏔️✨ Definitely a must-do if you’re visiting the Glenwood Springs/Glenwood Canyon area!

Hanging Lake is one of the most breathtaking places we’ve ever visited and is absolutely worth the hike! The crystal-clear turquoise water, stunning waterfalls, and lush scenery make it feel like something out of a fairytale. Pictures truly don’t do it justice. The hike is definitely challenging, especially the steep sections, so be prepared to take breaks along the way if you need them. There are plenty of spots to stop, catch your breath, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. One important tip: make sure to reserve your permit ahead of time, as access is limited and reservations are required. Overall, this was an unforgettable experience and one of the most beautiful hikes in Colorado. We would absolutely recommend it to anyone who enjoys nature and doesn’t mind a bit of a workout!

Please read the website and plan your trip! Everything you need to know about the trail, parking, rules are clearly laid out. Be a respectful guest and carry out what you bring in (keep your trash in your car!) Beautiful hike. Not for the faint of heart - high elevation gain. Quite the workout, even for seasoned hikers

Beautiful lake up top and cute waterfall (sprouting rock) just a few minutes above the lake. Lots of marmots on the way to the sprouting rock. We took our time and it was about 1 hour to get up there and 35 mins to get back down. The trail is sort of like a stairmaster lol but it’s short. Spotted a beautiful western tanager! We were here 9 years ago and the water was deep turquoise color. I think the bacterial composition has changed after the fire, and the water is emerald green. The algae in the bottom look very healthy and bright green. A big shoutout to the workers building more guardrails: they were hiking back and forth bringing heavy cement bags on their back.

We visited Hanging Lake Trail in the late afternoon, around 4–5 p.m. I want to warn that this is one of the most physically demanding hikes I have ever done. The trail is essentially a steady uphill climb with stairs for about 1.5 to 2 hours. It is quite intense, but the path is mostly shaded, so we didn’t have direct, harsh sunlight, which made it a bit more manageable. Our kids (ages 8–10) were able to complete the hike, but it was definitely not easy for them, and it required a lot of breaks and encouragement. When you reach the lake, I also highly recommend climbing a few more steps above it to see the waterfall coming directly out of the rock — it’s one of the most impressive parts of the whole experience. One very important tip: you must book your entry in advance. Our reservation was originally for 2 p.m., but we tried to arrive earlier around 10 a.m. and were not allowed in because the site was reserved for a special event. We were told to return after 2 p.m., and after that we were able to enter without any issues later in the evening. I also strongly recommend bringing plenty of water. Ideally, around 3–4 bottles per person, since the hike is long, uphill, and physically demanding. This is absolutely necessary to stay hydrated. Overall, it is a challenging hike, but the views and the lake itself make it completely worth it if you are prepared.