Hanging Lake Trail
A short, steep climb to a turquoise travertine lake suspended on the edge of Glenwood Canyon — one of Colorado's most photographed alpine lakes, permit-only.
Trail Weather
Hanging Lake is a small, brilliantly turquoise lake formed on a fault line where dissolved limestone has built a travertine shelf above Glenwood Canyon. The trail is just 1.2 miles each way but climbs over 1,000 feet on a rocky, root-laced path with several creek crossings — enough to feel strenuous despite its short length. Spouting Rock waterfall sits just above the lake. The lake suffered serious wear from overuse and was further damaged by the 2020 Grizzly Creek Fire and subsequent flooding; access is now permit-only via a managed shuttle from Glenwood Springs. Stepping on the travertine or swimming is strictly prohibited.