Hanging Lake
A turquoise travertine lake fed by waterfalls, reopened in 2026 after a five-year rebuild.
About Hanging Lake
Hanging Lake sits high on the north wall of Glenwood Canyon, east of Glenwood Springs in the White River National Forest. A steep, rocky trail climbs about 1.2 miles and roughly 1,000 to 1,200 feet from the canyon floor to a small lake of startling blue-green water, fed by Bridal Veil Falls pouring over a travertine ledge.
Just above the lake, a short spur leads to Spouting Rock, where water bursts straight out of the cliff face and you can stand behind the fall. It is one of Colorado's most iconic scenes and a designated National Natural Landmark.
Access is tightly managed: you need a timed reservation, and the daily visitor cap is limited to a few hundred people. After the 2020 Grizzly Creek Fire and the debris flows that followed, the trail was rebuilt, with new bridges and a boardwalk, and fully reopened in June 2026.
One of the most visited short hikes in Colorado, following Dead Horse Creek up through Glenwood Canyon to a National Natural Landmark lake in the White River National Forest. It's an easy drive from Denver, which is part of why it draws the crowds it does — worth timing your visit for early morning if you want the place closer to yourself, and the lake's turquoise color needs direct sun to really show up in a photo.
History
The lake formed along a geologic fault, where a section of the valley floor dropped away from the canyon wall. Water carrying dissolved minerals deposits travertine as it flows, building the ledges that hold the lake and giving the water its distinctive color.
The 2020 Grizzly Creek Fire burned more than 30,000 acres in Glenwood Canyon, and heavy rains afterward sent mud and debris down the trail, knocking bridges off their foundations. A partnership of the Forest Service, the City of Glenwood Springs, the National Forest Foundation, GOCO and Colorado Parks and Wildlife rebuilt the trail with seven new bridges, stone staircases and a new boardwalk at the lake, reopening it fully in June 2026.
Photographing Hanging Lake
Best light: The lake sits in a shaded hanging valley, so soft light — overcast days or times when the lake is fully in shade — gives the best color and avoids blown-out falls. Fall brings gold to the surrounding trees, and spring runoff boosts the waterfalls.
Shots to look for
- The classic view of Bridal Veil Falls over the travertine ledge into the turquoise lake from the boardwalk, wide angle with a polarizer to cut surface glare
- Spouting Rock from behind the waterfall, framing the canyon through the falling water
- The fallen log in the lake as a leading line toward the falls
- Close details of travertine ledges and moss with moving water
Photo tips
- A polarizer is essential — it is what reveals the lake's color and the submerged log
- Your reservation includes a 3-hour window; budget time for both the lake and Spouting Rock
- Mist from Spouting Rock will soak your lens — bring a cloth and a rain cover
- Stay on the boardwalk; touching the water, the log or the falls is prohibited
- Check Forest Service rules before flying a drone anywhere in Glenwood Canyon
Know before you go
- A timed-entry reservation is required; book through Visit Glenwood Springs and check current prices and season
- Swimming, wading, fishing and walking on the log or falls are prohibited
- No pets except service animals, and pets may not be left in vehicles
- Arrive within your reservation window; rideshare drop-offs have not been permitted
- The trail is steep and rocky — wear good shoes and carry water
Prints from Hanging Lake
Every photo is available as a print on metal, canvas, wood or fine art paper.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a permit for Hanging Lake?
Yes. A paid, timed-entry reservation is required for every hiker. Book through Visit Glenwood Springs and check current pricing.
Is Hanging Lake open?
The trail fully reopened in June 2026 after reconstruction following the Grizzly Creek Fire. Always check current status before you go.
How long is the Hanging Lake hike?
About 1.2 miles each way with roughly 1,000 to 1,200 feet of elevation gain on a steep, rocky trail.
Featured in: Best Alpine Lake Hikes in Colorado · Colorado Waterfall Hikes
Combine it with
Glenwood Springs · Glenwood Canyon · Grizzly Creek · Doc Holliday's grave
More Colorado spots
Sources & further reading: visitglenwood.com · fs.usda.gov · cbsnews.com. Conditions, fees and rules change; check with the managing agency before you go.