Hanging Lake near Glenwood Springs is a beautiful hike that needs to be on every hiker’s Colorado bucket list. This short but steep hike through Glenwood Canyon and Deadhorse Creek Canyon ends at a natural landmark, a travertine lake with a stunning clear green color, even in the winter.
HIKE TO: Hanging Lake TRAILHEAD: Hanging Lake Trail MILES: 3.4 miles TIME: 2 hrs (plan for 3 to enjoy the lake) DATE I WENT: 1/25/24 DIFFICULTY: moderate ELEVATION GAIN: 936 ft ELEVATION: 7,323 ft HIKE PERMIT: yes PARKING: free LOCATION: Glenwood Springs, Colorado
I’ve been wanting to see Hanging Lake for years and it was totally worth the wait!
The hike to Hanging Lake is a popular tourist destination and with good reason. You can hike here all year round and I recommend checking it out in both summer and winter for different experiences. Winter, of course, provides some more challenges which I’ll touch on below.
While many people see a photo of this beautiful lake and think it’s a quick and easy hike out, there are definitely some things you need to know before you go!
- A permit is needed to visit Hanging Lake and there is a ranger there that will check. Keep reading for more details on reserving your permit below.
- An important thing to remember for your visit is that you need to start your hike before 1 pm. It is listed as a suggestion so you can avoid coming down past sunset but I’m not sure how strongly it’s implemented.
- The Grizzly Creek Forest Fire in 2020 blazed through Glenwood Canyon which left the terrain fragile and unstable. This means the area is very susceptible to rock falls and mud slides so after heavy rain, the trail may temporarily close.
- The ranger did make a point to tell us if we hear any noises, look up for rock fall. They also make it very clear that this is a hike at your own risk type of hike so just be mindful of your surroundings.
- If the trail temporarily closes due to precautionary safety, they will refund your permit. Due to this possibility of evacuation, you need to have your vehicle on-site at the parking lot and cannot simply get dropped off.
- Dogs are not allowed on this trail.
- There is cell service at the beginning part of the trail (for Verizon and T-Mobile) but you will lose it along the way.
Hanging Lake is located close to Glenwood Springs, only 7 miles east, which has a few hot spring resorts such as Glenwood Hot Springs and Iron Hot Springs. This makes it a fun little getaway for visitors to see a unique natural landmark and enjoy some time soaking in the Southern Rocky Mountains of Colorado.
Hanging Lake Trail Reservations and Permits
You do need a permit to hike all year and it is split into two permits depending on what time of year you want to visit. There are 615 permits available per day
- Permit for April 1 – Oct 31: $12 per hiker (currently unavailable)
- Permit for Nov 1 – Mar 31: $10 per hiker (booking linked here)
Take a screenshot of your reservation before you arrive in case you lose cell service. The ranger just asked for my last name but it’s good to have proof.
Hanging Lake Directions
From I-70, exit into the Hanging Lake Rest Area (EXIT 125), where you will park. EXIT 125 is only accessible Eastbound, heading from Glenwood Springs.
If heading Westbound, you will need to exit at Grizzly Creek (EXIT 121), and loop around getting back on I-70 East in order to exit at Hanging Lake. If the Grizzly Creek exit is closed, continue 2 miles and loop around at No Name (EXIT 119).
These directions are also included in your reservation confirmation 🙂
What to Pack for Hanging Lake Hike in the Winter
- Sturdy hiking boots: Danner Mountain 600 and Lowa Renegade are both great if the temps aren’t too cold
- Merino Wool Hiking Socks: a lightweight pair of socks works just fine if it’s not harsh winter conditions and Merino Wool will keep you warmer
- Microspikes: I’ve been using the Kahtoola microspikes since 2018 and highly recommend them. They’re good to have if you plan on doing winter hikes.
- Layers:
- Down Jacket: This 32 Degrees down hooded jacket has been my current favorite for light winter activities. It’s light, comfortable, warm, and super affordable!
- Mid Layer: I didn’t pack one for this hike but Eddie Bauer makes a good grid fleece mid layer at an affordable price
- Base Layer: This midweight baselayer is very light and comfortable & only $7!
- Winter Hiking Leggings by Ridge Merino
- Gloves: REI makes the best fleece gloves that actually work well for touching your phone screen without removing your gloves!
- Buff: keep your neck covered in the winter to help prevent getting a cold
- Backpack: a small day pack like the Pingora Remote Z 20 is a versatile pack and a great pack for this hike
- Water and snacks!
Hanging Lake Trail Description
The trailhead starts from the Hanging Lake Rest Area and there is a restroom here.
The Hanging Lake Trail is short but steep. It is only 1.2 miles one way, but it has an elevation gain of about 1,000 ft. It starts at 6,387 ft and ends at 7,323 ft. Most hikers take about 3-4 hours. We hiked up in 52 mins and down in 50 mins from Sprouting Rock Falls.
There is also a flat, 0.5-mile walk from the parking lot to the trailhead which actually makes this hike a total of 1.7-mile one-way. This flat, paved trail hikes along part of the Colorado River through Glenwood Canyon.
The Hanging Lake Trail follows along Dead Horse Creek snugly between the giant canyon walls of Deadhorse Creek Canyon — it’s a breathtaking hike! I love how small canyons can make you feel.
The hike is well-shaded as it follows a canyon with a lot of tree coverage.
There are 7 foot bridges that you will cross but in the winter, some may be under snow. There were only 4 foot bridges for us to cross on our recent winter hike.
Further into the hike, you will see a mossy wall on the right side before the trail starts the final ascent up to the lake.
Just before you reach the top where the lake is, the trail gets a bit steeper and there are handrails to assist your climb up as there is more exposure and the drop-off is significantly more dangerous.
Once you reach this point, you see the lake in just a few steps. Follow a narrow path and you can hike to a nice viewpoint in the middle of the boardwalk and all the way around to the other side.
Hanging Lake is a beautiful, clear green lake and a National Natural Landmark. It’s one of the most untouched travertine systems in the vicinity so you cannot swim in it or drink from it but after you take in the sights, head to the waterfall behind it!
Booking travel soon?
Please consider using my affiliate links below. It costs nothing additional for you but helps me maintain the ever-increasing costs of running a travel blog:
General travel through Tripadvisor here.
Book your flights here.
Book your accommodations here on Expedia, Booking.com, Hotels.com, and VRBO.
Book your car rentals here.
Book your tours here.
Book your travel insurance here.
Hanging Lake Trail in the Winter (January 2024)
This trail is typically known as a stair master as there are steps throughout the trail. However, in the wintertime, the steps are all likely covered in snow and ice depending on recent weather, and can be slippery.
Bring microspikes for this hike in the winter!! Microspikes are tiny little spikes that you slip onto the bottom of your hiking boot and they help provide better traction for flat snow hiking and icy terrain. Click here to get your microspikes!
I hiked Hanging Lake Trail on January 25, 2024, and the trail was fully covered in snow. Parts of the trail are very steep and there are some steps kicked out from previous hikers that may help.
That last steep section before reaching the lake (that I mentioned above) can be challenging without microspikes when it’s icy. This part of the trail is also high up in the canyon and sliding up can be fatal.
While the rails can be helpful, never fully trust them. The first rail lower down that I grabbed on to swung a bit so you never know what may be loose.
Don’t skip the Sprouting Rock Waterfall detour
Once you are done at Hanging Lake, take a short detour to hike to Sprouting Rock Waterfall. It is only 0.1 mile (200 yards) away! This hike starts up some steps, which are covered in snow and ice in the winter, and flattens out.
This side trail only takes 2 mins to reach the waterfall but make sure you hike behind the falls and see it from all sides.
Pro Tip:
If you’ve hiked Hanging Lake Trail in the Summer, you need to hike to Sprouting Rock Waterfall in the winter! It looks completely different with the ice!
FAQ: Hanging Lake Colorado
How long is the hike to Hanging Lake?
The hike is 3.4 miles round trip, but it gains 936 ft in 1.2 miles.
Can I swim in Hanging Lake?
Swimming in Hanging Lake is strictly prohibited due to the fragile ecosystem.
Why is Hanging Lake so special?
Hanging Lake is a travertine lake and one of the larger untouched ecosystems in the area. It sits on a fault line and the clear turquoise-green color comes from the dissolved carbonate minerals in the water.
Travertine is a limestone rock that is typically deposited around mineral springs; it is formed by the evaporation of calcium carbonate minerals from the fresh water and is extremely sensitive. The travertine limestone at Hanging Lake surrounds the edge of the lake before it cascades down so there is a wooden boardwalk built along the edge so you don’t touch it. In the winter, the travertine may be covered in snow but the rest of the feature is incredible to see.
Most people who visit come to see the beautiful color of the lake and the waterfall but there are so many more natural geological formations to see.
Is Hanging Lake worth it?
100% yes. The hike through the canyon is almost as beautiful as the lake itself. Also, check out the detour trail to the waterfall behind the lake.
Where to Stay in Glenwood Springs Colorado
- Hotel Colorado — A historic, sustainable, and luxury hotel for your visit to Glenwood Springs. Fun fact: Presidents Roosevelt, Taft, and Hoover have all visited here! Click here to check availability
- Glenwood Hot Springs Resort — this hotel has the largest geothermal hot springs pool in the area and is conveniently located off I-70. Click here to check availability
- Best Western Antlers — A standard 3-star hotel but Best Westerns are always cleaner and nicer. Click here to check availability
- Glenwood Springs Inn — Budget-friendly and convenient location to hot springs and caverns. Click here to check availability
