Hanging Lake Trailhead
4.8(632)google
4.4(14)yelp
HikingLakeReservation RequiredWaterfall
Overview
Hanging Lake is a lake in the U.S. State of Colorado. It is located in Glenwood Canyon, about 7 miles (11 km) east of Glenwood Springs, Colorado and is a popular tourist destination. When open, the lake is reached via a trailhead located along the Glenwood Canyon Bike and Pedestrian Path that runs along the north side of I-70 in the bottom of the canyon.
Practical Info
Every day7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Suggested Duration3-4 hours
Best TimeStrict permits are required in advance to hike to this incredibly fragile, world-class travertine oasis. Snagging a morning permit between 6:30 AM and 8:30 AM from May to September is the ultimate strategy. The deep canyon air is cool, the water gleams an emerald green in early soft light, and you will hike in pure serenity. (Note: Touching the water is strictly illegal).
Getting ThereThe trailhead is located directly inside the Hanging Lake Rest Area along I-70 Eastbound. During peak seasons, private vehicle parking at the rest area for hiking is strictly prohibited. Hikers must drive to the designated staging terminal at the Glenwood Springs Community Center and board the mandatory official Hanging Lake shuttle bus.
Travel Tips
- As a hyper-fragile National Natural Landmark, Hanging Lake mandates a continuous online Timed-Entry Permit framework for all entrants. No walk-up or gate ticketing exists; allocations must be won online 2 to 4 weeks early. Rangers check digital permit codes strictly at the dedicated I-70 Exit 125 canyon checkpoint.
- To shield this rare, fragile travertine ecosystem from catastrophic biological degradation, state law commands: never touch the lake water with skin, never dip footwear, and never walk upon the fallen log crossing the basin. Infractions register minimum $5,500 fines and immediate custodial environmental criminal arrest.
- The route spans only 1.2 miles but forces an exhausting 1,000-foot vertical scramble over raw, jagged boulders and heavy rock stairways. Slick moisture films in summer and heavy hard-pack sheets of pure ice in winter dictate a mandatory requirement for rigid hiking boots, and chains/crampons are legally required in winter.
Reviews
Positive
- The emerald travertine lake suspended on the cliffside with delicate veils of waterfalls is magical and fully lives up to its fame.
- Strict daily permit quotas protect the fragile ecosystem, allowing hikers to experience pure, uncrowded wilderness peace.
- The trail features sturdy log bridges and covered benches every few hundred meters, backed by highly precise safety signs.
- The official shuttle transit from the off-site station is highly seamless, delivering professional, stress-free crowd management.
Heads up
- The permit system is highly competitive; summer slots vanish weeks out, eliminating any chance for spontaneous walk-ins.
- The hike is short but brutally steep, gaining 1,000 feet over rough talus with a final dizzying rock staircase that exhausts casual hikers.
- The fragile travertine crust means strict security bans touching the water; zero wading freedom under pain of heavy civil fines.
- The actual canyon trail completely lacks modern flush restrooms; hikers must use facilities back at the transit parking lot.