Hanging Lake Trail Reviews

Absolutely stunning views! Clean, pristine mountain wilderness. Hanging lake and waterfalls are incredible. It’s a tough hike— rocky terrain, but well worth the effort. Saw a bull snake, marmot, lizard and stellar jay. Bring lots of water!

great scenery, a bit crowded had to wait about a half hour to get a parking spot but the hike up was tough but the views at the top were spectacular

First time ever up to Hanging Lake. Trail provides quite a work out and is not for casual hikers so know your limits. Great scenery as you hike up and even better when you get there . Was not thrilled about having to pay for a permit but after hearing from numerous other people about how others trashed and abused the area , I can see why it has come down to that.
Make sure you take the Spouting Rock trail after visiting the lake, worth the extra 10 minutes or so to get there

Don't rush anything except getting there early to secure parking. After that, take your time & warm mittens if it's winter! The views along the way are beautiful, take it slow, look up often and enjoy the scenery. Up top, give yourself plenty of time to relax and soak in the beauty of this pristine tranquil lake. After a great hike, head on down the road for a dip in the hot springs!

My husband did the hike with our 5 year old son on his shoulders. It was rocky and steep in places but doable. My mother who is not in the best shape currently but good health completed it with moderate effort. Take your time, it’s not a race. Absolutely worth the effort and the small fee.

I’ve hiked up to Hanging Lake 3 times, and each time, it never failed me! My bf and I was there this past weekend, a beautiful, gorgeous day for a hike, and it was BEAUTIFUL!!!! My advice is to get there early, as parking is limited.

The hike to Hanging Lake is beautiful. It is a lake in the middle of a mountain. It is wonderful! You have to make reservations and take a shuttle in from Glenwood Springs. If you can hike of the groom's trail that is a little rocky, it's well worth the hike..

Great hike but not easy. We had clamp ons for our shoes... must have in winter. Gorgeous! Enjoyed the gorgeous day!!

This was the best hike we have done so far. Beautiful spectacular views. We hit it perfect. The weather was amazing and the water was going strong from the snow melt. Spouting rock is incredible you walk right behind the waterfall. It’s right before the lake. Don’t miss this!! Not to bad of a hike. I recommend a hiking stick and good hiking sneakers. Your feet will get wet with all the runoff.

Get there early! We arrived at 7AM on a Wednesday, and had no problem getting a spot. When we left around 9:30 no spots were available, and cars were waiting to get in. My kids who are young adults had no problem at all. My wife who works out daily, but has a mild heart condition made it, but just took her time. It was so worth it once you get to the top. Make sure you take the small trail at the top to the larger waterfall above Hanging lake. Bring water, and then brings one more.

It's an outstanding hike, but since they started charging $12 per person and a permitting process, it's a drag to schedule. While the hike is nice (we've hiked it several times), we don't believe the hike warrants $12 per person. It's simply not that nice.

We have stopped here several times and it is very beautiful. However, the one scary thing is the restrooms. The toilets were very cold with the air rising up from the river area.

Trail basically goes straight up the mountain on a rocky trail. Be sure to take water and something to help if you get short of breath due to the higher altitudes. When you reach the top the lake and waterfalls are beautiful!!

This is a short hike (1.5 miles) but moderately steep. I used poles which are a saving grace for my knees! The reservation system is nice because it limits hikers. The only thing is that there is a time constraint of 3 hours to get back on your bus so not a lot of time to picnic or just sit and enjoy this magical place. (you can ride stand by on another bus if you miss your designated bus)
A must do if you are in Glenwood Springs!

If you haven't already hiked this trail, you absolutely must!
You first need to make a reservation, pay $12, ride the bus to the trail head and allow yourself several hours because the views are amazing and you'll want to stop for photo ops. There's a toilet at the beginning of the trail head so be sure and visit it before you start and take plenty of water as there's none available while hiking. Take a snack or picnic lunch and enjoy the views of Hanging Lake before you hike back down to the shuttle bus. There are 7 small bridges, several small waterfalls along the 2.9 round trip miles. This is a must see and do activity while visiting Glenwood Springs.

My son and I hiked up and enjoyed the Day immensely. The bus ride over is great and the recording is very informative. The trail is very well marked. I would not say it is an easy hike, but certainly worth making it to the end. More or less it is like being on a stair master for over an hour. There are some rough spots. Go and enjoy!

I consider myself to be in pretty decent shape as I go hiking several times a week and usually get my 10k steps/day. This hike was brutal! It’s just over a mile straight up on lots of rocks. Definitely make sure you wear good hiking boots with traction as someone in our group only had tennis shoes and they were slipping and sliding all over.

We got to the trailhead at 6:30am to ensure we got parking and were able to get going before there was tons of people. In hindsight, I wish we would have started even earlier to avoid the crowds since it made hiking a bit of a challenge to navigate through all the people. We did the hike in 40 minutes but we were flying to get up there. I think most people could do the hike in 60 minutes or so.

However, if you make it to the top, it’s a gorgeous view of Hanging Lake and the waterfall.

There’s an opportunity to do an additional .2 mile hike to the top of waterfall so you can see where the water comes out of the mountain - DO IT!! You’re already exhausted and sweaty so what’s an additional .2 miles? You can walk behind the waterfall and cool off from the hike.

It’s an awesome hike but definitely a workout. The views are totally worth it though!

We had seen pictures & hiking Hanging Lake was on our bucket list. SO GLAD we did it!

Great signage
Technical hike (take the time you need)
Bring water/proper shoes
Take pictures
Each twist, turn & climb was a new slice of Heaven on Earth!

Took us 2.5 hours - athletic family who loved to stop, explore and play.

FYI Note: my husband could not hike at the last due to a medical reason. He was going to drop us off and head back to town for a few hours but they INSISTED on NO DROP OFFS.

We visited in November so the only downfall was that the hike is mostly shaded so there was a lot of ice and snow. It wasn’t too bad on the way up but going down was very difficult. At the very least you need hiking boots but spikes and poles would have been ideal. The hike is pretty steep but not terribly difficult and once you get to the top it’s totally worth it!

The Hanging Lake Trail and Hanging Lake is a must have experience! It's a beautiful hike, and the lake is spectacular, enchanting finish to a great little walk. If you are ever in the area don't miss it, it's well worth the trek up the canyon!

Didn't realize that reservations needed to be made, but no worries, this hike is great any time of day. Well worth the trip!

I have hiked to hanging lake many times while growing up in this area and it is absolutely gorgeous! I’ve now lived in Texas for over 20 years, living at about 350 ft. Above sea level, and the altitude made the hike extremely difficult for me and my husband. The trek is only 1.2 miles, but is very steep with large rocks, some with steps cut in. Unfortunately, we didn’t make it to the top. Dizziness and headaches set in. I recommend if you’re not accustomed to high altitude to let yourself get adjusted before attempting the trail. Park rangers were very helpful and friendly.

Fairly difficult uphill hike, but rewarding. I would not advise taking small children, although some do. Very dangerous. Saw a 5-6 yr old girl slip on rock “stairs” and almost fall off cliff. Her mom was shook up. But for a seasoned hiker it is fun and challenging. And do take the last short hike behind the falls....a bit further, but if you made it that far, don’t skip that!

A friend and I took this hike on a sunny day in September. Being from sea level, and not in the best shape, it was tough for me. My friend is in better shape and the altitude did not bother her. It is only a mile but it’s uphill the whole way. Bring water and be sure to do the extra 2 minute hike to the waterfall. The views are picturesque.

Hanging Lake and Spouting Rock and the scenery that surrounds them are absolutely gorgeous. It takes my breath away every time—from the beauty, not just the hike. While the hike is a bit challenging, you see people of all ages and fitness levels enjoying the trail. It’s totally worth the effort. You do, as of this writing, have to plan ahead and make a reservation and pay an entrance fee of $12, which is well worth it to help maintain and protect the area. The only downside, and it’s a big one, is that if you come in from out of town and don’t have a car, not having a shuttle available makes it tough to get to the trail from Glenwood Springs. After checking into every possible option, we ended up paying $100 round-trip for a taxi. I can’t say I’d do it again for that price, but if you have more advance notice than we did and stay at a hotel where there might be someone to help you figure out a solution, you could probably still do it. If you have a car, it’s super-easy and a great experience!

We had reservations for a 5 pm hike, and it started pouring rain at 4:55. Still, our group of 6 came prepared and started up the trail with occasional distant thunder. This is a steep though short hike. There are numerous places to stop and rest, including benches. There are trail distance markers to keep you motivated. We reached the lake in about one hour just as the rain stopped. We spent 30 minutes taking pictures and admiring the lake. The trip down was much quicker. This is a very popular hike for a reason. It is not an easy hike. It is steep with rocky steps and your quads and knees will curse you. But the reward is worth it. Beautiful lake with clear water and numerous brook trout slowly gliding. Take your time, plan for any weather, and have fun.

Watch for new limited access policy (requiring an in-advance permit) starting May 2019, per posted notice.
Did this trail in 45 minutes 25 years ago. This time (in our early 60’s) it took a bit longer than the stated 1-hour (up) average. Beautiful lake and spouting Rock waterfall (do go the extra 5 minutes up for this) at the top. Hiking poles would have been helpful (next time!).
It IS about as steep a hike (1000 ft elevation-change, very little “flats”) as I’ve ever seen. But only about a mile long. Bad knees/hips or cardio-pulmonary issues are not compatible with this hike, honestly.

We had the trail all to ourselves during our snowy hike. Highly recommended but if hiking in the snow - you will need proper equipment!

This hike was a workout, and oh so worth it!!! It’s a little over 1,000 ft of elevation gain in 1.2 miles from the trailhead. My 8yo and 5yo hiked to the top and my 5yo needed me to carry her a bit on the way down (lots of big rock steps got to be too much for her). We took our time and took frequent water breaks. Trial is mostly shaded and next to a creek which helps keep it cooler. As many reviews indicate, get there early or the lot will be full. The first day we got there at 10 and the lot was full so we left and did Grizzly Creek Trail. The next day we were at the Hanging Lake lot by 8 on a weekday and there were spots. Take lots of water, hiking shoes recommended, and enjoy nature at its best!!

If trying to reach the beginning of the trail, from Glenwood Springs, by car:
There is a small parking lot close by, it gets full easily.
Once full, the ranger will turn you away, will tell you to come back another day and if possible, use public transportation,.
We got there by bycycle, this is a great ride( if you are up for this) next to the river from and to Glenwood Springs.
It is a very enjoyable bicycle ride, must take food and water, park your bycycles at the beginning of the trail and be ready to walk/ climb the rocks and difficult trail to the hanging lake. It is only 1 mile but it is a very difficult, almost vertical trail.
Once you reach it...it is one of the most amazing places you will ever see.

I have hiked this trail many times. This was the first time since a permit was required. The snow pack was melting and the trail was under flowing water in several areas. This is a good work out and is challenging for some. All fellow hikers have always been courteous and help others at difficult areas. Wear appropriate shoes, take water and sunscreen. If you want to sit and enjoy the waterfalls then you need to hike fast to make it back to the bus in time.

It's been said over and over but the hike to Hanging Lake is well worth the effort. As far as difficulty, my wife and I did other hikes during our trip that were rated "moderate" that we both felt were more difficult than Hanging Lake Trail. Take your time and do it!

What a wonderful hiking trail. The way up was quite strenuous but worth the climb. It will take you a few hours and not for those with physical limitations. Does stay in the shade for much of the hike. Great views and to both the lake and the waterfall. Don’t forget you need s reservation.

While only 1.2 miles up to the lake, it is a little challenging due to the quick elevation over lost of rocks. Make sure to take water and wear good hiking shoes. We arrived at 7:00am and the first lot was almost full already, so make sure to go early. (When we left about 10:30am there was a long line of cars waiting for a parking spot.) While the lake was beautiful, make sure to go the extra 100 yards past it to see the waterfall, which we enjoyed just as much.

We loved the experience and left on earliest shuttle. Hike was cool as our core temps raised hiking up the steps. We arrived 45 minutes early 6:00 and it was totally unnecessary - the front desk girl did not even open up the center to check in until 6:20, hence the 4 star.

Next time we will use that extra time to get some coffee and a light breakfast before rushing out of the hotel room at 5:45 to get there. As long as you arrive ten minutes early, it seems you’d have plenty of time.

Not a lot of time for disabled or elderly individuals- it would be a nice option if people could select their return time on their permit when booking.

Did this as part of a day of cycling and it was steeper than expected but lovely. It was a very hot day and so the steep rocky walk was a little full on, but really nice. Still, worth being aware that it's not going to be easy if you've got a sore knee (which my wife had). The lake at the top is stunningly beautiful.

The trail is very steep but everything in the area was very well maintained, including two different restrooms. Very beautiful but steep.

Make sure you have a reservation before driving to the trail. It's a tough hike, rocky, lots of steps and a steep incline! But worth every single one.

What a great trail. The lake is beautiful. No wonder they tell you in the bus you can’t swim there. The water is so inviting. The hike up took us an hour (unfit) the last bit is steep but do able. We were dropped off about 9.30am and our return bus was 12.30. The walk up was great. There are toilets at the car park but none at the lake.
We booked online the day before and caught bus from community centre.

I loved Hanging Lake Park. Fun times. Fun hike! You see the beautiful Hanging Lake. Great activity in Glenwood Springs.

What a great hike. A short distance but a lot of elevation gain. Meaning lots of steps. But totally worth it. Do it early to avoid the heat plus the sun was nice for photos of the pond and falls early. A doable hike for almost anyone if you take your time.

We were 0 for 0 with parking lots on this trip. After our Parking Lot Debacle at Maroon Bells we were at least warned. We asked the motel keeper for advice about Hanging Lake and she told us "Honey, good luck." Apparently this is another poorly managed Colorado destination. We are forewarned (and you should be, too) that the parking lot is a virtual nightmare. Not big enough for all the cars coming in. We sit there waiting and hoping for a place to open up along with the other 25 cars waiting. We bail. Never got to hike to the Lake. My advice: get there really early or be prepared to wait. Just remember, everybody else is reading this and will get there really early, too. The motel keeper said that sometimes the ranger makes you leave and you have to drive a 10 mile round trip back down I-70 to get back and try again. I say to you: Good Luck and Loads of Patience. I have no idea if it's worth it.

It is so nice to see nature flourishing and being respected but enjoyed by everyone. The way this hike is designed with the reservations, bus shuttle, and permit at first seemed unnecessary but now I’m so thankful that this company has protected Hanging Lake and provided such a worth while experience for every individual. I cannot wait to go again!! Definitely hike up to Spouting Rock on the hike, super cool extra part of the hike :)

This is a challenging hike for many...only 1.2 miles but 1,200 feet in elevation gain which is about 80 flights fo stairs. It's all rocks all of the way. Hiking boots and poles (and of course water) are strongly suggested. The view at the top is well worth it. The lake and falls are beautiful. It's a long hike for a short stay, but that's okay because it really is a special place. And take the detour at the top to Spouting Rock where you can stand behind the waterfall.

For many (if not most), the three hours they give you for the hike before the return was not adequate. My return bus had more than 30 "stand by" passengers on it. Because it was mid-week and late in the season, this wasn't a problem and all got on the bus. But on a weekend, when buses are full, this could be an issue. And since many are taking more than 3 hours to complete the hike, I hope they revise the schedule in the next season. I also hope they loosen the cancellation policy in the off season if buses aren't full. We cancelled because of a threat of rain (80%) two days before out planned day so we changed it. But then the forecast changed and we could have gone. By then it was too late to change it back.

We went to hike the trail on a beautiful, May morning. We read that we add to make reservations and meet at the welcome center to be shuttled in-- the process was easy. I believe it was $12 a person that included the shuttle there and back and a park permit badge that you have to have to access the trail... The shuttle was perfectly on time and took us to the trail (around a 15 minute drive or so). Our shuttle arrived at about 11am and we were told that our returning shuttle would be back to pick us up at 2pm and it was on time.. They told us that shuttles come every 45 minutes so if you finish early or late it wouldn't be a problem to hop on another shuttle if there's room.

We elected to stay in the back to let the crowd pass (there were about 30 on our shuttle) as certain spots on the hike are very narrow. The hike was uphill, sometimes rather steep, the whole way. We are 27 years old and in fairly good shape and the hike was tough for us... Took close to an hour and half for us to get up. The hike is beautiful along the way with constant streams passing. We finally reached the top and the view was lovely, however a bit smaller than we expected. We hung out up top for about 30 minutes before coming down. The hike down is actually tougher on your body with it being so steep and narrow. It would definitely be tough with ice and snow on the ground. I believe this hike would be very tough for kids and elderly.

We made it down with about 5 minutes to spare is all (we didn't expect it to take us so long but it was tough). Overall a good hike, but i really wouldn't deep it as incredibly special.

Tip-- pay the extra $8 for a hiking pole. Would have been very hard without it.
Tip-- Bring water! and lots. We both carried a backpack with a 2.5L hydration pack and was so glad we had it. You can get easy dehydrated.

Well worth the climb for the amazing views .We went early in the morning morning & were surprised at how busy it gets ,took us approx 3 1/2hrs up & down .Go prepared walking sticks are a great help as the path is quite rocky .

The hike up could be considered tough for older folks, out of shape folks and those not used to the elevation. I am in decent shape and live in Denver and it took me 45 minutes to hike without stopping. So very pretty.

We got there after 6 and made the most of it. Parking lot was quiet so we went up the trail. It was very tricky and exhausting and even found momma bear and 3 Cubs just off the path half way up. Once we got up to the lake it was definitely worth how sore and tired we were. Loved it!

1) Reservations: Online reservations are required. Cost is $12 as of June 2021.
Print your confirmation or save it to your phone, because there is no reception at the trailhead.
2) Parking: Included in the reservation.
3) Start time: Go early! I had a 7:30 reservation and it was perfect - it was still cool and there were few people on the trail.
4) Attire: Proper footwear a must. No flip flops or sandals. Hiking pole(s) useful.
5) What to bring: Water. There is no drinkable water on the trail. The water in the creek and lake is not safe to drink.
6) Restrooms: In the parking lot and at the trailhead only. None along the trail or at the top.

The trail is short but steep, narrow and rocky. It's mostly shaded. The additional short trek to see the Spouting Rock waterfall is definitely worth it.

The hike here is pretty steep but there is no monotomy since there is a beautiful stream flowing beside you. There are air conditioner vents along the way to cool off. Probably coming from underground springs or caves.

Hanging Lake Trail is probably one of the most visited trail and hikes in Colorado. It’s a short journey that rewards you with some fabulous views. It shows a total round trip mileage of 2.8 miles, but my GPS mapper showed almost 4 miles. Regardless, it’s a nice hike, has some steep sections, waterfalls, several bridges, gorgeous canyon views, and of course the Hanging Tree Lake at the top. You’ll be taking a lot of pictures, but be ready for a lot of hikers on the trails because of its popularity. Be aware that next year in 2019, the National parks folks will limit the trail to a max of 645 hikers per day by paid permit only. So try to get there this year if you can!

Be ready for long hiking. We are slowly reach hanging lake in 1.5 hour. Don't forget your water and good shoes. And when you reach the place you will forget all your fatigue. If you have a chance do it!

This is an excellent hike....fairly difficult as it is uphill and steep but worth the effort for sure! Beautiful falls await!

They are doing a great job of limiting people at this very cool destination. Shuttle service is easy. The trail is gorgeous and the lake is beautiful and with limited number of people allowed it is a treasure.

The accessibility and beauty if this trail and the lake make it pretty popular and busy. We didn't find solitude here on a Friday hike, but the weather WAS perfect so...parking seemed tricky.

Very difficult hike. All shale rock and quite a climb. Wear your boots and bring poles. Stunning views of lake and waterfall! Bring lots of water and food.

I’m an avid hiker all over the world and this is one of the most beautiful hikes I’ve done. I would say it’s moderately challenging only because it’s not too long. Definitely an uphill hike though!

The trail leads to very unique hanging lake. It is very popular, so you need to plan ahead and understand all the issues related to parking and permit.

The scenary along the trail is very beautiful. But the difficulty of the trail is greatly exergated. From parking lot, it took us an hour up and another half down. Having just hiked many trails in Utah before taking this one, so I can responsibily say this trail is pretty easy to do, especially considering how short it is. I did see many people on the trail with fitness level or footwears normally not appropriate for truely strenuous trails. And this again just demonstrates the difficulty level is much less than officially claimed.

This is a phenomenal hike but pretty steep. Not for the faint of heart! Beautiful trail through the woods ending at a marvelous emerald gem of a lake! Incredible!

We were driving from Denver to Moab on Friday afternoon and came across this walk so decided to stop. There were five us ranging in age from 24 to 45+ comprising 2 girls and 3 boys. The walk starts off flat by a picturesque lake with a gorgeous light from the fading sun, then after about 100 metres starts to ascend. If you're not a good walker or are a little nervous about heights, then you may find the experience a little tiring and wearisome. One of our party had leopard skin shoes and had not expected the length of the trip up - prompting lots of moans and high levels of anxiety when she came to the last bit of the climb towards the lake. But with a bit of coaxing she made it, only to discover that (as a Croatian) the Hanging Lake is like a microscopic version of the Plitvice Lakes in Croatia - so she felt a bit miffed as the Croatian lakes don't involve as much hiking.

One warning - try to leave before it gets dark. If you have slow people in your group you are at risk of walking in the forest (or rather climbing down rocks) in pitch darkness unless you give yourself sufficient time to get back.

All in all a lovely walk unless you're a Croatian city-slicker who prefers clothes shopping and you're in your crocodile skin shoes.

This is one of the most gorgeous places in the world, you can definitely bring kids but it is a steep hike. Bring hiking boots too! Worth every bit of the energy to get to the top! The hike up is also amazing multiple small waterfalls and gorgeous scenery!

The climb is relatively short, but somewhat technical. You don't need to be an athlete, but being in relatively good shape helps.The views are amazing, and the lake and Spouting Rocks ore worth the sweat.

My gf loved it! Definitely a steep incline up, but worth it once you get to the top. It was a pretty hot day so start as early as you can! We didn’t arrive until 8:30 (drove from Denver area) so we started much later than we wanted to.

Reminder to not believe reviews that it is an easy hike. Pretty challenging for anyone out of state and not used to altitude. Beautiful lake and highly recommended.

not too Hard awesome views we loved it !!!!!!! can't wait to do it again . bring a water bottle at least maybe two

Got to hike this while it was still fully open -- but I would take a shuttle to do it. The parking lot was nearly full when we arrived about 7:45 a.m. and some hikers were coming down the trail as we went up. It was partly cloudy, so heat wasn't an issue, but rain soon was. It sprinkled on us on the way up but the ground was dry.
It is steep and I was glad I had my hiking poles, especially on the way down. I'm in my 60s and like to have that support when needed -- like in slippery mud. It is steep in places and the elevation gain is substantial so give yourself time to breathe -- especially if you're from a lower elevation. And drink water.
It was sprinkling at the top, but just beautiful and we had time for a quick snack before the rain picked up. It had been a dry year so the rain was needed. It was a bit slippery in spots going down and the rocky trail was fairly crowded. Glenwood Canyon was misty and beautiful, too.

If I recall correctly the hike is about 3 miles there and back. It took our group about 2.5 hours, which includes picture time and going to the other hike right before Hanging Lake which was another 5 minutes or so. Beautiful and worth the hike. There is a point where you do need to use the rails to climb a little bit, and the incline can be a little steep at some points. The only down fall of the place is that the parking is horrible. If you dont get there early, like 8-10am, don't bother going till later, 4-6pm. We tried twice driving back and forth from exit 121 to exit 125, and the parking lot was full the third time was a charm.

I assumed this was going to be an easy hike since it was sort of “touristy”. NOPE - it is hard. Come prepared with good shoes, lots of water (we went thru 3 bottles in the way up), and the mental preparedness to go up, up,up over rocks. It was all worth it. Beautiful scenery. And make sure to take the side trail to the waterfall - that was the highlight for our kids.

Absolutely stunning, the hike up was well worth it. Make sure to pack plenty of water and a snack for the top, there’s plenty of benches to rest. Please carry out all trash and keep this place pristine, it’s gorgeous

I am NOT a hiker but our group made it to the top in under an hour. It's a strenuous hike for a novice, but doable. Because we had to go by shuttle, I was concerned about the time restraints, but we made it up and back in plenty of time to catch our shuttle. At the top, the elevation is over 7K so the temperature drops quite a bit and it's a workout for your lungs. Caution: there are lots of leaves and rocks on the trail that are slippery when wet, wear appropriate footwear.

This was a difficult hike so bring water and maybe snacks too. It was well worth the 2.50 mile (round trip) hike. Dont forget to go up a lil further to Spouting Lake. Really cool waterfalls. Use poles if you are older or not in that great of shape.

It’s an amazing place to go have strength it was worth watching the top. I’m 60 years old and took me 4 hours. I stop a lot and drank lots of water.

Hanging Lake is one Colorado’s most beautiful spots. With that comes a fair amount of foot traffic. The trail is rocky and steep in areas but short and accessible to many. The lake itself is remarkable and well worth the large numbers of people. We live in Colorado and have avoided it because of how populated it is. I’m so glad we did it. Right now, when the lot is full, park rangers will ask you to come back unless you get lucky and someone pulls out as you pull in which is what happened to us. It’s worth going now though because starting in May 2019 there will be a limited number of permits given out each day and they will be having people take a bus to the trailhead versus drive their own cars.

This walk will take approx one hour to reach the lake all uphill through wooded areas. Once at the lake the view is well worth the effort. A side path leads to the top of the falls where further photo opportunities await.
A permit system is in operation to access the walk with limited numbers being allowed. Permits can be obtained by paying a small fee at the Visit Glenwood web site or visiting the office in Glenwood Springs. The fee includes transport from the office to the start of the walk.

Enjoyed the entire hike along the trail to see the most beautiful lake! Clear jade green waters and gorgeous falls! Worth every step to see!

We arrived at about 10AM on a Wednesday. Parking spaces were still available. The hike is almost all uphill, with very few level sections. Most of it is over rock. A big plus is that almost the whole trail is shaded by trees. We saw quite a few kids on the hike. And four people INCLUDING TWO WOMEN were carrying kids in backpacks! Awesome! Many of the people coming back down while we were going up said, “It’s worth it!” The toughest part of the climb is a steep section with a handrail just before you arrive at the lake. And, yes, it is worth it. Do yourself a favor and relax by the lake, then on the start of the way back down, take the side-trip to the spout above the lake. Enjoy!

I hiked this with my eight year old daughter. It was challenging but doable and gave us a great sense of accomplishment when we got to the top. We took the first shuttle of the day and enjoyed a very quiet and peaceful walk; no crowds at all. We have a four and seven year old who were really not old enough/tough enough to hike so my husband took a 3:00 shuttle instead and went alone. His experience was a little different. His pictures of the lake were so astoundingly pretty. The afternoon light makes the green water stand out more. But there were obviously a lot more people up at the top when he got there. Overall, either way, we both highly recommend the hike. I think it’s awesome that they are regulating it with the shuttle system. It makes it possible to enjoy it in a less crowded environment and makes it more possible for them to care for and protect such a delicate and unusual piece of nature.

Was a steep climb for our 8 & 10 year olds but they made it! The lake & waterfalls are beautiful! We are glad we made the effort, good family memories.

went on a three week road trip from seattle to vegas visiting many national parks along the way and hanging lake was by far the most beautiful place and the best view of the entire trip. honestly photos do not do it justice!

I heard about this place and had to see it for myself. Gorgeous! Such beautiful views, the canyon, the creek, the forest, and of course the lake. A little bit of everything. Moderate climb. Wear hiking boots.

The hike on the trail to the lake is beautiful. Some spots are steep but we just took our time, stopped frequently and hydrated often. The lake is pretty and we enjoyed watching the chipmunks and birds. I liked the bigger waterfall above the lake the best!

We almost did not hike the trail since it was late in the afternoon. So glad we did! This is an awesome hike. Be aware at the end there is some pretty steep steps. Might not be suitable for under 10 or older hikers. It is worth the work. Beautiful.

This may be one of the toughest ‘short’ hikes you may ever do. It’s a significant elevation gain in a short distance. It’s completely doable... but I don’t want someone to think it will have zero challenge. Bring some water. More challenging for someone with knee issues. The trail is well marked and defined. You follow a steam all the way up. There was a fall wonderland of trees near the top. See the lake first and then go to the waterfall above (Spouting Rock.). The top waterfall is a short walk from the lake and very worth it!

One of my all time fav hikes. I'm 59 and while I find the hike challenging, it's def doable. First half mile is flat but then it climbs for about a mile. there are 6 bridges so once you get to #6 you know you're close. Trail has very few switchbacks (nice) and is well maintained. I used trek poles which help tremendously because there are alot of high stone steps. we took the 8:15 shuttle and the trail was primarily in shade

The lottery system is fantastic as it keeps the trail traffic down. No issues booking a reservation. Only downside is you limited to 3.5 hrs from start to finish. If you miss your scheduled return trip then you have to go on standby. It tooks about an 1:10 to go up and 1:30 to come down. Spent about 30 min at the top

The lake itself is magnificent. there's a nice boardwalk that goes around half the lake. Be sure to hike the extra 100 yards to Spouting Rock. Def worth the addit uphill.

I have tried to go to this place twice before, but the wait was always long because it is just so popular. This time we got lucky.

The hiking was a beautiful,steep, and relatively short hike. I think I saw it was about a mile up. I got some great photos, saw some fish and chipmunks, and then decided to walk up a bit further to a waterfall we could walk behind.

This is a short but strenuous hike on a rocky trail. Plan to take well over an hour to hike a mile and a quarter, unless you are in good shape. The lake is well worth the effort it takes to get there. The new permit system is well run and it’s fun to ride the bus up there.

We had a four year old and he did pretty good. I have bad knees, so I had to use walking poles. Somewhat of a challenge on the way down. Trail is not flat all the way. Some areas are rocky so have to watch your footing. Bring water bottle and snack with you when hiking. View at the end of the trail is eye candy view of waterfalls and lake.

This is a pretty difficult hike, but worth every step! I am so glad that rangers are limiting the visitors because we don't run into people with dogs or people who go off the beaten path. Only people who truly appreciate this beauty come now!

After reading reviews we decided to make the hike in the early morning and I'm so glad we did. It was pretty chilly without the sun overhead on the way up.. there were only a few people out hiking when we started but on the way down there were tons we had to make many stops to let people heading up pass us. It took us way longer to get down than it did to hike up. The hike was refreshing and the views were wonderful. Not nearly as difficult as some reviews made it sound. Would absolutely recommend

This hike is a must do if you’re in average shape or better. I would consider it a HARD hike, but the views were beautiful on the way up and once to the top, both the short trail to the left to go behind the waterfall as well as the short distance to the right to the Hanging Pools are spectacular. Make sure you take the time to see both, since you hiked up there anyway.

Do a quick search on their official site before going, as you don’t park at the trailhead and walk in during peak vacation months (May-October timeframe ?). You must reserve your hiking time online or in person at the Glenwood Springs community center. We met at 1pm, left on bus at 1:30pm, started hike at 2pm, reached the top at 3:10pm, enjoyed the waterfalls & pools for 40 minutes, then headed back down slowly & carefully. We didn’t have hiking poles, but I can see how they’d come in handy on the way down. Just extra support to avoid a bad fall. Especially if the trail is damp at all. Our bus ride back was set for 5pm and we arrived at 4:40pm with 20 minutes to spare.

The hike is about 1 1/4 mile one-way and your gaining elevation the entire time. The trail is rarely smooth walking and has many areas where the ability to step and down off rocks that aren’t always flat surfaces is imperative. It’s very easily an ankle roller/breaker if you’re moving too fast and not paying close enough attention to where you step. Particularly on the way down.

I saw some older people with limited range of motion and families with smaller kids who were complaining 1/4 mile into the hike and having just been up to the top, could see the writing on the wall as to whether they’d make it or not in the timeframe allotted for their return bus. I would definitely say teenage/double digit age and above as a general rule. We watched and helped an older lady who fell hard against a rock on her arm and ribs while going downhill and who was hiking by herself. She had a 1/4 mile to go to even ground and we sent the park staff up to assist her down, as she didn’t want assistance and her lack of mobility was going to get her hurt bad with the long & uneven steps down the rocks trail.

Lastly, we hiked in tennis shoes, which was fine for a drier day, but a hiking shoe with some ankle support would have been better. Please read other reviews before taking on this hike. Especially if you aren’t as agile as you once were or you have kids that don’t have the stamina to attempt a vertical hike on uneven ground in a predesignated timeframe.

This one is a challenging hike - rocky path/stone steps on an incline make up the majority of this hike - make sure you are well-prepared. Here are my tips for enjoying the hike:

1) If you need two hiking sticks on a regular path - this may not be a good one for you. The rockiness makes it quite difficult for those with unstable knees/ankles. Kids may or may not tire out - we noticed some doing great, we noticed others that were clearly tired out before reaching the top.
2) Bring plenty of water. Went through 2 liters individually and still wanted more.
3) The altitude is a factor. It's not easy climbing up if you are not used to it. Plan for half a day here especially if you aren't used to endurance-testing activities.
4) Currently you need reservations. If you can get an early one - do it. The coolness of the morning helps a lot - especially on a clear and sunny day.
5) Wear hiking boots. You can't swim in the lake - so no need for sandals. Definite need for ankle support and grip. Tennis shoes slip easy on the rocks.
6) Do go a little further for the upper waterfall - its a nice spot.
7) Do respect that others will want a selfie/family pic/etc too - don't hog camera spots!! With the reservation system it isn't too crowded - which is nice.
8) Look for/listen for marmots , ferrets, and other small mammals
9) Keep on the trail. We saw a few kids/adults who were hiking through the creek/waterfalls, and trying to have fun going off trail. It is not allowed and made clear by the staff. Keep this place nice for others to enjoy by not destroying the fragile ecosystems. Also with the rocks it really is unsafe to let kids scramble up and down off the path - there are other rocky hikes to do this in, this is not one as it puts others on the small trail at risk also if your kid slides into them.

This is an absolutely beautiful hike you will enjoy if you are prepared for it. If you aren't you will be wanting to turn back at every step..

One of the most beautiful hikes I have experienced. There were some steep parts but nothing more needed than good tread on sports or hiking shoes.

The trail was difficult and a bit of a challenge but it was so worth it to see the beauty along the trail the absolutely incredible view at the top.

This trail is rated moderate- Well- if this is moderate, I hate to see hard. But the workout is worth it.
Take water. Oh my gosh we saw so many people without water. We gave away what we could to kids whose parents forgot water or snacks.
You have a three hour window to hike up- enjoy the falls- and catch the bus back. This is not possible if you want to enjoy the falls and lake.
We took a lunch and sat to look at the lake and falls. Then hiked behind the falls and to spouting rock. We didn't make the 3 hour window and it was not a problem. We were still able to get on the next bus. So take your time and enjoy the scenery. And take water.
Lisa Reinicke Author

The hike to the falls is really tough, so if you aren't able to handle a pretty steep but well laid path hike vertical for about a mile, then this isn't the hike for you!

This reminded me of stepping back into time and looking at a lake where you would see dinosaurs and cave people living side by side. It's majestic and a natural wonder.

I will be back as soon as the weather gets nice again!

Awesome hike. Outdoor colorado at its best
Rated difficult- some steep climbs
Reservations are required
Very scenic climb, with small water falls along the hike.
Had rest benches every 1/2 mile some with AED devices
Nice hand rails near the top of the hike

Awesome what an incredible lake open the mountains stunning piece of geological beauty kind of an incredible moderately too difficult hike but well worth it absolutely fantastic must do it if you're in Glenwood Springs area

This was one of the hardest things we've ever done (physically) -- but also one of the most rewarding things.

Being from Texas (and pretty amateur hikers), the altitude kicked our tails. Our family (two adults, plus a 12- and 8-year-old) probably took a 5-minute rest every 5 minutes we walked, and were greatful for those who said to take plenty of water (I drained my 2-liter pack early in the trip down). We debated stopping multiple times along the way, but thankfully, we did not. All in all, it took us about 3 hours to get up, and another hour to get down.

The views at the top are amazing -- it really does look like the best of the photos you see here. And the hike to the waterfall is worth it, too.

Stunning scenery! Uphill climb but worth it to see this geological gem! Wear hiking shoes and pace yourself. Don’t forget to make a reservation!

You can no longer just drive up to the trailhead. You now have to reserve tickets and shuttle times for a small price. The system works quite well! You also driving to the Glenwood Spring Community Center for the shuttle services. It says arrive 30 mins early but if you arrive 10 mins and are prepared should be no problem. The ride is about 20-30 mins. Once you get to the trailhead is when your last hope for restroom facilities and you have about 3 hours until your departing shuttle. Doing the trail is harder than expected. It’s says about 2.5 miles with 1200ft of elevation but I’d say it’s over 4 miles with closer to 1600ft elevation gained. However, once you get to the top it’s totally worth it!! The views are breathe taking and you see why they limit people!

Two side notes: BRING WATER! You can miss a shuttle but be aware you are put on standby for the next available spot.

We were one of the last few people to hike this trail before they close the highway exits, parking lot and make everyone take the shuttle bus to get there. You must have a permit to hike, but they don't make it easy to get one. There is visitglenwood.com to schedule the shuttle, then they have a different web site posted at the base of the trail (but there is no internet access), and a phone number to call. Good luck. Anyway, the effort is worth it because this is a beautiful hike. There is running water, waterfalls, birds, marmots, fish, a crystal clear lake and a giant waterfall coming out of the side of the cliff (that you can walk behind). The hike is short but strenuous, only the last 30 steps, once you get to the steel railing, are really steep. The good news is that you can take lots of breaks and enjoy the beauty all along the trail. Bring some water and take your time. 2 hours to get up (yeah, you are going to stop and take a lot of pictures), and 40 minutes to get down.

My husband and I have been wanting to hike this trail for awhile and finally decided to make it happen before the permit system goes into effect (next year?)
We rode our bikes from the exit just east of Glenwood Springs (“No Name” exit) to avoid a parking issue at the trailhead. The ride through Glenwood Canyon took just over an hour each way, was mostly flat, and quite beautiful.
We locked up our bikes at the far eastern point (not by the parking lot) in order to save walking further than we needed to. From there the hike up to Hanging Lake was less than an hour each way but very steep (maybe around 1200-1300 feet of elevation change). I thought it might be more difficult than it was.
The reward at the top is so worth the effort... not a typical mountain lake but more like a grotto type setting. We didn’t find it to be too crowded, perhaps because we were there during the last week of August.
If you do this wonderful hike, be sure to also take the very short path to Spouting Rock; there is a sign pointing you in that direction near the lake. Beautiful waterfall!

We decided to take this hike after a morning rafting trip. We had only done 2 hikes before (Bear and Bierstadt Lake). This was more difficult than both but definitely worth it. It's very steep alot of big steps up rocks. Take your time and work your way up! This is a heavily trafficked trail so there will be tons of hikers. Bring water!

Bring lots of water and a hiking stick. You will not regret the effort and knee workout! Take the additional trail to Spout Rock.
Beginning 2019 the number of hikers will be limited each day. Please remember to pack out all trash to keep the trail and lake pristine.

Awesome and beautiful hike! It was a trail that was relatively easy to moderate for me, but it does have quite a few steps and a 1200-foot elevation climb within just 1.2 miles. I did this hike during my honeymoon 12 years ago, and it brought back so many wonderful memories. I love all the new bridges along the path. You must make a reservation to hike. Get there early!!!

Best hiking trail. The hike was not easy but definitely worth it. The scenary is absolutely beautiful and Hanging Lake is nothing to compare. If you are not a regular hiker, it may take you more than an hour to climb up. The trail is quite steep with rocks and stairs but there are some benches along the trail for you to sit and catch your breath. It is nice that they label bridge with numer as they are total 7 bridges. When you see bridge number 7, you know you are not far from Hangjng Lake. The lake is very beautiful. The water is very clean that you can even see fish swimming in the lake. However we saw a young woman in bikini, walking on the log which across the lake, trying to get a good photo of her in the middle of the lake. She even sat on the log and put her feet in the lake. That was really bad as there is clear sign telling peoole not to do that so to protect the lake from pollution. Overall, it is a must visit place if you‘ve never been there to see.

Moderate difficulty hike, took about 1.5 hours to do. The hike is in itself stunning and the view once you get to the top is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in my life!!! Either get there super early or around 3pm because the parking lot gets full quickly and it’s small. Once ur up at the top, do the extra 10 min hike to sprouting rock, worth it. Definetly one of the top three hikes of my life, a must see and do in Colorado.

It is a little off the beaten path bit that is what makes it so special! At the top the water 💦 is so clear you can see the fish 🐟.

We went in mid-March when there is still a lot of snow...

---Take exit 125 off i70 east
---The trail has parts that are very icy-- make sure you have proper footwear, including snow boots preferably, and yaktraks or some sort of effective traction cleats/spikes/grips. Too many people were slipping and sliding down the trail which is dangerous.
---Be careful taking kids
---Be warned, the trail is a bit treacherous; it is not for the faint of heart or out of shape elderly people.
---The view/lake at the end IS beautiful.
---Budget your time... it took us 1.5 hours to get up to the top and we took a few breaks along the way. Be sure to be down well before dark because there are no lights and it will be dangerous otherwise.
---Bathrooms-- CLEAN and plenty of stalls. Not port-a-potties.
---Parking-- limited when it gets busy
---$$$ - They will start charging for admission starting April 2019 per the notices posted around.

Overall, would recommend visiting after the snow has melted but if you are in town this time of year, its worth it to check out.

Amazing place but very crowded, takes away from the beauty. Better to find a different place to enjoy hiking.

I went here October, 2019 during my stay in glenwood, along with visiting the adventure park. Its a long hike, so you need stamina if your gonna try it! Once you come up to the top, you won't regret it! I would give a four because of how hard it was personally for me, who is weak. But for everyone else, a 10/10!

I’m just amazed at this place. The park. The location. The nature. It’s an absolute must do when you are here!

I was skeptical that my 2 sons (20 and 17) would be able to drag themselves away from their phones long enough to do this strenuous hike with us, but it turned out to be one of the best experiences we ever had as a family. We were visiting Glenwood Springs, and Hanging Lake was a must see, so we set off around 5pm, when we figured the parking lot would be emptying out. We had no trouble getting a spot, and started off with great gusto. The gusto evaporated soon enough, but the determination remained, and we watched our 2 sons transform from electronics-addicted zombies, to enthusiastic hikers:)
The sense of camaraderie you get with the other hikers is enough to keep you moving upwards, no matter how difficult the terrain. Everyone we met who was on the way down told us how worth it the climb is when you get to the top, and they weren't kidding. The lake is simply stunning. I doubt it's even possible to take a bad photo of it.
When we finally got to the bottom, we felt such a sense of achievement. I'm sure experience hikers would find it easy, but we were first timers and were rather proud of ourselves:)
On the way down we met families with small children on their way up, and some of the kids were wearing flip flops. This is not something I would encourage. Sneakers or hiking boots really are necessary if you don't want to get your feet cut up.
As of 2019 they will be limiting the number of daily visitors to 615, and a permit will be required, so if it's something you have thought of doing, you should get to it soon.

The trail to get to Hanging Lake is definitely a difficult one. It definitely requires proper shoes, water, and layers of clothing! The temperature changed drastically during our two hour hike. At certain moments we were freezing, and then we were warm in the sun and shedding layers.

Our family of 5, ages 17-54 hiked this trail and loved it. We started early, had no issues finding parking and the trail was not overly crowed. Those in our group ranged in fitness levels and all managed. It is steep with some large steps and some boulders. We took breaks as needed and were hugely rewarded to reach Hanging Lake.

Incredible view and easy hike. we took so many pictures because the lake and the waterfall was just so beautiful.

Yes you should do this. Is it too hard or difficult for you is what you really want to know. First, wear a hiking shoe (firm rubber sole) and it will help you. I only had Nike sneakers and my feet were sore from all the impact. 90% of this hike is rocky so your feet can take a bit of a beating. Second bring at least 1-2 quarts water. Third take your time and take breaks at the markers to enjoy the magnificent scenery. Fourth ignore the "return trip" TIME on your lanyard from the ticket/permit office. Fifth, consider walking poles/sticks (I saw many people with what looked like ski poles) It took my family (4) 80 minutes to get to the top (with the many breaks we took enjoying the scenery). It was a good safe pace. None of us were gassed or concerned. Down is easy so long as your careful with your footing. It's not as hard as I'm reading from others on Trip Advisor. I can only assume they are not in good health and failed to think about the three advice points I mentioned. Honestly I saw kids in flip flops, nursing mothers in flats, even a young girl in what appeared to be ballet shoes. Not smart.
If you get easily winded - pass on this. The climb is safe. You wont get lost and Park Rangers are all around. If you have bad knees -pass on this. The climbing will be adverse. I have a hip issue and was fine. Go as far as you can. The steepest part is at the top and they have sturdy well secured railings to keep you safe.
Dont worry about the return bus trip back. You dont have to take the bus they schedule you for. You can easily take the next available bus (like every 45 minutes). We were supposed to be on the 4:15 bus but rode the 5:45 bus. There were people on it that were supposed to ride the 2:30 bus. Who cares, take your time and enjoy this bucket trip experience.
Do you have legs that work? Can you breath? Can you climb stairs? Can you carry a light backpack with water in it? Then what's stopping you? Geeze I have surgically repaired hips and exercised indused asthma and I did it. It's not dangerous unless you cant use basic common sense. It's a Bucket List experience. I never knew this existed.

Sometimes expectation exceeds reality. Hiking up to Hanging Lake is not one of those times. The trail is pretty steep but there are plenty of spots to take a break. Bring water! You will be very happy that you made the hike when you behold the lake and waterfalls.

I hiked this trail a couple of years ago, although TripAdvisor is making me select a date from 2019. May is an incredible time on the trail because of the snow melt — there are temporary waterfalls everywhere as the snow is rapidly melting. Hanging Lake itself is spectacular, and the trail isn’t too difficult if you’re used to hiking. This is by far my favorite trail that I’ve hiked in Colorado because of the gorgeous views at Hanging Laje. I imagine that it would be a challenge for hikers who aren’t used to the high altitude or the length of the trail. The only frustrating thing is that the trail is so popular that it can get crowded, and some vandals have unfortunately defaced the trail with graffiti. If you do visit, please be respectful of the fragile nature of this location. Don’t add to the graffiti, pick up after yourself, and whatever you do, respect the fragility of the Hanging Lake by not coming into contact with the water. I’m not sure how the trail has been impacted by the new restrictions on the number of visitors per day, but when I hiked the trail, there were way too many people out there. I’ve heard some frustrations with the new restrictions on the number of daily visitors, but given that some hikers are disrespectful of the environment, it was probably a necessary decision for the long-term preservation of this awe-inspiring trail.

The climb was very steep and rocky, and right at the top it was vertigo inducing, but it was so worth it. A beautiful natural phenomenon.

Short 1.2 mile hike but a real good work out. +1000 ft . The lake is beautiful but don't miss the hike above the lake to the waterfall. could be easily missed. Its the trail to the left just before you get to hanging lake.

Was worried how my twin 8 year olds would do with this hike as one complains of her legs hurting upon any adventure. But WOW, they had the absolute best time on this trail and totally forgot that it might be considered “exercise”. Trail runs along the water with lots of rocks to climb and plenty to keep you distracted. The path really wasn’t that long and the views on top are totally worth it. Soooo Happy we did that, highlight of our trip to glenwood. Do it!!! You will be smiling the entire way I promise.

this hike is not for the faint of heart as it can be demanding. It is basically climbing up 1100 feet of stairs and the stairs leave a lot to be desired. i am pretty out of shape and 50 lbs overweight so i was pretty winded making the climb. But the reward of seeing Hanging Lake was worth the effort!

Thank you for organizing and keeping this beautiful hike pristine with the new transportation and permit system!! Great day...

Very efficient job of getting a permit, being scheduled, and getting a bussed to the trail. Trail was in great shape. A tough hike for senior citizens. But so beautiful to make it to lake. One of the most beautiful places anywhere in Colorado.

make no mistakes, you're up to a tough walk. it starts easy and becomes steep towards the end, but the scenery is amazing. make sure you book a place on the shuttle.

Hanging Lake was absolutely beautiful and definitely a must do hike if you are visiting in the area. Making it to the top is worthwhile!

A friend of mine suggested doing this as part of my vacation to the area. Will do it again if I’m in the area. Be sure to book your spot early for the process that’s now required to hike the trail. Also don’t overlook going a little higher on the trail and check out the Spouting Rock! The trail is not for the faint of heart, ankles, or knees. The end result is worth it after a tough hike there though. The buses run close to being on schedule so make sure you pay attention to the time. And for goodness sake, don’t forget your camera!

Because you have to book a permit with an entry time in advance, the flow of visitors is channeled and there are no waiting times.
The path is not technically demanding, but strenuous, as it goes steeply uphill in places. But the lake makes up for it. Great colors, interesting waterfalls.

Took the 2:00 PM bus . Began the hike like everybody does. Hike is described as Strenuous ha ha ha ha It's GRUELING !! Wives made it maybe half way. My brother in law and I were "Do or Die" mode. As you can tell we didn't die !! Lake and waterfalls are attractive, but far less that I expected from all the hype.

We awoke early to arrive at the parking lot by 6 AM and started the hike with flash lights. It is not an easy hike (but much easier than Royal Arch trail in Boulder) and the sites at the top were excellent. Go the extra bit for the spouting rock. Wake up and go early and you will love it.

This was a great hike. We went in the afternoon on a Monday and had no problem with parking. The hike was a bit more rigorous than I was expecting. Definitely bring water. It'll take about 2.5-3 hours to go from top to bottom.

This is such a magical place. It just appears in the middle of a mountain forest and looks unreal. Hopefully everyone that visits will take care of this jewel in the mountain!

I read that this trail was rated 'moderate' but they must be in better shape than I am (which is probable lol). The trail is very rocky, and basically staircase after staircase - and some of them are fairly steep. However, the trail is gorgeous. A good portion follows along the stream and it's gorgeous. My bonus daughter (16 years old) did puke 3 times on the way up, so I'd advise *not* eating Culver's for lunch before you trek up. My nephew (13 years old) sprained his ankle on the way down and we had to carry him for a bit. One down side - there isn't anyone monitoring the trail so if there was a true emergency, you're one stuck duck. There's zero cell service. So just come prepared with basic first aid and plenty of water. I am not at all in shape but managed to make it up and back in 3.5 hours. I do recommend going at the later time slots because it was cooler and the sunset was *amazing* on the side of the mountain. Also, you 100% should continue and do the extra little 5-minute hike up to the waterfall. Two other people recommended it to me and I didn't think it would be worth it - it's WORTH IT! Hang out at the lake first, get your Insta photos, then make your way up to the waterfall for more fun.

This should be a "bucket list" item for anyone who likes to hike or see one of the most beautiful spots in Colorado. It's a little over 1 mile hike to get to Hanging Lake from the starting point and about 7 miles from Glenwood Springs along I-70. If you visit, you must purchase a permit that cost $12 per person if I remember correctly and reserve a time slot and the reservations fill up quickly. Currently they only open up slots on Tuesday for the following week. The parking there is very limited but they have someone there that will try help find a parking space for you. The front gate gentleman working when we went (July 4th) was very nice and had a great personality to greet people.

Depending on your pace, I would say you can plan on spending anywhere from 2 - 4 hours there. Also, depending on the time of the year you go will make a difference on how much the water is flowing from the waterfall above Hanging Lake. We have only gone twice and both times it was in the summer so I have no idea how it would be to hike the trail when it's cold and icy.

Behind and above Hanging Lake is "Spouting Rock" and when we went on July 4th, it was running really good so you could see 2 water falls flowing. There is no swimming allowed at either location (Hanging Lake or Spouting Rock). At Hanging Lake the water is so clear you can see the bottom very easy and there are some fish in there if you look hard enough. The last time we went in August, the water level at Hanging Lake was lower and the waterfall above it wasn't flowing as much.

If you hike here, definitely take some water/liquid since there is nothing to drink up there. Before you hike, there is a nice indoor bathroom next to the parking lot. Also, dogs are not allowed. There are essentially 2 check points to ensure you have a reservation/paid permit. The gate guy where you check-in at with your vehicle and at the beginning of the trail. I once read that Hanging Lake has over 130,000 visitors a year so if you plan to visit this beautiful spot, make your reservation as early as possible. If you visit this beautiful spot, you won't forget it!

The trail up to Hanging Lake is not for the weak and infirm but it's worth it!!! It definitely is an accomplishment and when you finally get to Hanging Lake you see it was worth it. A memory with my daughter that I will treasure!

The hike was pretty steep (little over one mile with gain of over 1,000 feet) but the waterfall and lake at the top are well worth the effort.

I think going very early or later in the day is a good idea - last I was here was 20+ years ago and crowding was not a factor

My mom and I what was a tough hike to see Hanging Lake. It was well worth the 1 2 mile hike. It took us a over an hour to get up. I like the 7 bridges and mile markers to let you know where you where on the trail up. We went on Wedsnedays late morning. It was not too busy with hikers going up and down the 1 trail. It was nice to stop and admire the view. In the shady spots it does get cool. Make sure have enough water to get up and down the trail. Please note you do make reversations for a park permit and shuttle. Shuttle does not run the off season beginning November 1st until April 30th of the following year. The shuttle bus to the parking lot of hanging lake is very nice idea of cutting down the amount of people.

This is not for the faint hearted but totally worth it. My husband is not fit & is “in shape” but it’s round lol. It’s a very steep climb but if you’re not fit take it slow & steady with lots of stops & you’ll be so proud of yourself & reap the rewards when you get to the top!!! Take plenty of water!!!

Hard going up and hard coming down but well worth it! Helped to know there were 7 bridges. It helped us gauge our progress.

My sisters and I spent my little sisters bachelorette party in Glenwood. We hiked up hanging lake. It was a tough hike but it was totally worth it once We got to the top.

If you go in the winter make sure to bring crampons for your shoes. It was very icy and slick. Many people fell.

first of all, Hanging Lake and Spouting Rock waterfall are simply stunning. however, it is a bit of a complicated process to get there. the original rest stop parking area is now closed due to excessive congestion a couple years ago. now the process is to make a reservation on-line for the shuttle at $12 per person and you park at the Hanging Lake Welcome Center on the west side of Glenwood Springs. from there, you board an old school bus for about a 20 min ride to the rest stop parking area where there are rest rooms. a bus leaves every 45 minutes. you walk about 1/4 mile along the bike path and this part is flat. then take a left onto the trail for a steep 1.2 mile climb of about 1200ft elevation gain. be aware that this is a rigorous hike and you must be in shape for it. we saw several people on their way up as we were on our way down and it was obvious they would never make it to the lake. a busload of 44 people every 45 minutes is a good system to keep the number of people manageable on the trail. when you arrive at the lake, you are shocked at the beauty of it. there are walkways around the lake that you must stay on to protect the beauty. after spending time taking photos at the lake, take the short uphill hike to Spouting Rock Waterfall which is spectacular. then hike back down to the rest area, board the bus, and ride back to the Welcome Center. for the hike, have good shoes, proper outerwear, and hydration beverage. there are no facilities at the lake.

This is a hard hike up hill, but worth it. Budget 3 hours to be safe. Take along a hiking staff or two!

If you can get tickets while the social distancing limits are in place, do it! This felt like a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience 19th Century solitude in a gorgeous natural environment. We saw less than 25 people in the 3.5 hours we were hiking or picnic-ing at the lake.

This is a must do hike but you need to get to the parking location prior to 7 am to get a parking spot. After this time the hike gets very crowded.

The hike is about 1.71 miles up to the lake. It’s a steep hike in areas but well worth it. Take breaks on the way up and have water and a snack. Beautiful views. Going down was easy.

It was a very difficult hike going up with loose rocks and incline pretty much the entire time. However It was fun experience and the trail is very pretty. The waterfall at the top was a nice way to cool off. I'd recommend bringing your lunch and enjoying the scenery at the top!

We came during peak season. We stayed in Glenwood Springs and our plan was to do the hike on the way back to Denver on Sunday. We got to the base and the parking lot was full and the park rangers turned us away. Well.... there is no Eastbound access to 1-70 from Hanging lake so we literally had to go back toward Glenwood Springs to the next exit to backtrack. We went back, exited at Grizzly Creek Exit and parked there. Pulled our bikes out and biked about 4 miles back to Hanging Lake did the hike and biked back. This is the best way to go. If coming from Glenwood, exit Grizzly Creek, park there, hop on your bikes (if applicable) and bike into hanging lake. It is a little extra work but at least you can do the hike as opposed to being turned away from the parking lot because it is full. Alternatively, the staff says that after 3 PM during peak season the parking lot thins out..... This hike is worth it - stay the course!

Moderately strenuous hike with many rocky steps, uphill the entire way to the lake (about 1.2 miles each way), but SOOOO worth the work to get there! Crystal clear lake with beautiful falls at the top! Take the extra few minutes to hike to Spouting Rock while you’re at it! Took about 2 1/2 hours for our family of 8 (6 children from 7 to 17 years old) to complete the round trip.

We did the hike today - June 6, 2019. I cannot stress enough the importance of doing ALL the research surrounding this hike and then decide if you think it is worth it. In hindsight, we wish we had spent our last day in Aspen where we enjoyed the equally challenging hike to the Maroon Bells and were rewarded with much better vistas.
In my opinion, Glenwood Springs is very touristy and not at all geared toward the serious hiker. We had planned to do this hike on the way out of town because we read that it is easily accessed from exit 125 on interstate 70. However upon arriving at the exit, there was a sign that it was closed. It took additional time and research to learn that they close the exit from June to October. The only access is through a shuttle service from the Glenwood Springs welcome Center. We booked reservations however, this is a very unorganized operation. There was a problem with our reservation, the buses were over a half late for pick up and there was no communication on how to go standby for an earlier shuttle if you finish early (which we did).
The hike itself is extremely rigorous which we are used to, however it was obvious that many of the people were not. We watched several people fall on the way up and the way down. The hike up is very steep and on rocky terrain the entire way. There was also a lot of slippery areas due to the snow melt. The way back down was equally as treacherous. The literature and reviews surrounding this hike do not inform the readers of what is physically required. It is very dangerous for the ill prepared.
When we got to the summit, we were a bit disappointed. Yes, it is beautiful. But if you are an avid hiker with a lot of experience, I do not think this will be in your top ten. We have seen much more beautiful summits in other places such as Glacier National Park, Lake Louise in Canada and the Fingerlakes region of Upstate New York just to mention a few.
I would bypass Glenwood Springs altogether or if you are destined for that area, spend 45 minutes and travel east on Colorado highway 82 to go to Maroon Bells. You will not be disappointed.

On a small park near I-70 East there is a short hike that will get you to one of the top 10 most beautiful waterfalls in Colorado. It will leave your quads and buttocks feeling like they've performed a 100 lunges, and your face with a smile of satisfaction. Highly reccomended!

We took the advice from other travellers and started our climb around 6:30p to avoid the wait to get in the parking lot.

The climb was steep and rocky in many areas which created a challenging climb. My 14yr old son and I made the climb in 35min but I would give yourself 45-50min for the climb.

The view when you reach the top is amazing and well worth it!!!!!

It was well worth the hike up the mountain. I hiked this with two 9 year olds, two CrossFit athletes, a 20 year old man and my husband. I am a 42 year old mom, I walk and do strength training 1-2 times week and I rate this hike has challenging, but totally doable. However, if you have not worked out your legs or taken a good brisk walk in some time, you might rate this as difficult. Moms out there, plan to bring water, snacks and layers of clothing if hiking in the winter. We got hot going up there in November, but coming down I out back on a layer. It is absolutely gorgeous and great workout. I suggest hitting up the Glenwood Hot Springs after so bring a swimsuit. I think we did the round trip hike in 90 mins with shorts breaks as we went up. Highly recommend it!!!!

So, we did this hike as part of a bike ride...I am so tired! But, it was so amazing!! The hike is about a mile, but it is straight up the mountain side...be prepared. The views on the way up are well worth stopping for and checking out. Beautiful scenery of the canyon, but the stream along the trail is nice to rest by, too...maybe a lot of rest stops. The view up top is incredible...I understand why it is so popular...WOW! Crystal clear lake with the water falling around it...definitely a must on any visit to Glenwood Springs!

We really enjoyed hiking up to the Hanging Lake. It was very strenuous, so make sure you are prepared.

This is a very pleasant surprise when staying in Glenwood Springs CO. The location is an environmental protected area, allowing only specific numbers of visitors. Reservations are needed as bus takes you to the trailhead and from there your adventure begins. The trail winds and switchbacks up the cavern walls, the views are amazing and the quiet is covered by the running brook you criss cross over by small bridges as you ascend. The hike is strenuous at times, recommendation to take your time and breath in experience. Hanging Lake is peaceful, a place to reflect, the short detour to Sprouting Rock is well worth the effort brings a smile and gives a needed cooling spray.

The hike up is quite steep and can be grueling for some! I would definitely do it again though. It is an amazing natural attraction, very peaceful. The water is so clear. Did see people letting their children play in the water and leave trash after having a picnic, which was quite disturbing. Overall......it is definitely a MUST SEE! Take your time, go at your own pace and you will have no regrets!

Very Difficult trail but well worth it. Actually rock climbing in some spots. Not for the faint of heart.

This challenging hike is so worth it! The falls and lake at the end are breathtaking. Good hiking shoes are a must, and be sure you're up to a very rough trail. LOVED it!

The hike to Hanging Lake is 1.2 miles. The first .2 miles is from the parking lot to the trailhead. The 1 mile hike up to the falls has an elevation gain of 1000 feet. It is VERY strenuous, not for the faint of heart. The falls and lake are absolutely beautiful. Make sure you take the short hike to Spouting Rock. It has 3 falls, 2 of which appear to be coming straight out of the rock wall. You can walk behind them. We went in the late afternoon (3:45PM) which afforded a lot of shade on the trail & great lighting for photos. Bring enough water, because there is none there. The shuttle service is great. It controls the number of people that can be there, thus allowing the area to recover from damage inflicted by too many visitors in the past.

This was such a beautiful gem! The water is so clear you can see all the fish swimming around! Beware there was still a lot of snow which at steeper points was difficult. We wore hiking shoes and had poles with us... I 100% recommend the poles! Made me feel so much more comfortable climbing! We did slide on our butts near the top just to get down without injury! If you are prepared, it is not a very difficult hike (that's coming from someone who rarely hikes)!

Nice place, but it's unfortunate how the community monetized the site. Many similar sites available in the state are free. The worst part is that it forces you to make a reservation and take a shuttle that only comes every 45 minutes, so you could end up waiting quite a bit. If you don't like your assigned departure time, you're on standby. It's very inconvenient. If they want to force people to take a shuttle, they need to be more frequent. This is a poorly implemented cash grab. It is a nice site and it would be worth it as a pit stop on the highway, but as a half day activity - which their shuttle system forces it to be - it's just not worth the time or money investment. Go to a national park instead.

Vigorous yet short (1.2 miles x 2) hike. Lots of water falls and beautiful nature to see as you climb.

For a hike just a little over 2 Miles that takes about 3 hrs to complete you know it’s gotta be difficult. It’s steep, it’s rocky, but it’s worthwhile when you get to the top! Go early to get parking and miss the crowds. Don’t forget to bring water and use restrooms beforehand. Definitely do extra climb (200 yards?) to see spouting rock!

This is most often rated as the #1 waterfall in Colorado to hike. The combination of the steep hike with the idyllic setting at the top is what really makes this hike worth it.

Also, after seeing the Hanging Lake with the falls providing the great backdrop, take the trail up behind the lake to the spouting rock falls. It is an interesting formation in a nice setting.

We loved the hike and especially the beautiful destination. My companion and I are in our early 70's, and my two recommendations are to go early and take hiking sticks. The sticks are so helpful coming down.

Beautiful and fun - but very steep if you are not an active person. Making reservations is easy. It is a big window 3 hrs, we were able to jump on an earlier bus back, no problem.

For someone from Texas, this is a strenuous hike! Bring more than 20 oz water per person. I didn't and got pretty dehydrated. The views are just stunning and we were delighted. Just do a better job preparing!

Go in the height of snow-melt season! There's water falling down the mountain everywhere! And spouting rock is spectacular. It can be a hard hike for the average middle-aged person, but it's worth it. Take it slow and you will do just fine!

The parking is extremely tight....be sure to get there early. (My family got there before 8 and the parking lot was already filled). The hike to hanging lake is beautiful, but strenuous. It is a pretty steep climb. However, the view at the top is incredible and well worth the walk. Be sure to visit "Spouting Rock," it is located behind the lake and has a marked trail. I saw people of all ages making the climb, just be sure to drink plenty of water, wear proper shoes, and give yourself at least three hours if you plan to take breaks or explore at the top.

We took 2 7 year olds up the trail (trail is a strong word here) to the lake and waterfall. The shuttle was fantastic and we took 2.5 hours to do the hike, getting right back on the bus we were scheduled for.
It was a challenge. It's mostly rocks you're climbing over! But the 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 mile marks are helpful. Wanted to turn back a few times but so glad we did not.
Please wear hiking shoes!! And enjoy this pristine place :)

Parking is small so be sure and get there early (before 7 on weekends) It was worth the long hike, it was beautiful up at the top. It’s also Kid friendly. Be sure to take water and some protein bars.

Set your alarm to get up early and avoid the crowds. We got a close parking space and only encountered about 20 other hikers in the early morning. Our trip back down the trail was stop and go as we had to let others pass. So worth the early morning to see the sunrise through the canyon.

The shuttle from town is quite a long ride, especially if highway construction is going on, which is often the case. That said, it was worth the ride. Twelve of us started the hike, the fittest making it up in under an hour. The less-fit of the group too 2+ hours to make it to the top, and a younger person with knee issues quite after 30 minutes. For everyone who made it to the top, it was well worth the hike. When we got back to the bottom, we had to wait 40 minutes for the shuttle, felt like forever.

This was an amazing trail in the winter. I can't wait to hike it in the spring or summer. You definitely need microspikes. Getting up the last part is practically impossible without them because it is so slippery!

This hike is an amazing hike! You need a reservation but it is absolutely worth the 12.00 per person. The hike is not the easiest but take your time and the reward is worth the effort.

bike from hanging lake to mount Rushmore. 458 miles. come join the fun raises. trying for 5million. thank you all . God Bless and have a great day no matter what.

We decided to stop yesterday and check out the trail. We quickly realized that we did not have the right foot ware on after walking up the first 50 feet of the trail. After investing in some Yaktraks, we returned today. It was a beautiful hike! Slow and steady it took us about 1 hour and 15 min to go up and 45 minutes to hike down. We met quite a few groups that either had just boots on or tennis shoes. They were really struggling. If you want to enjoy the hike more, I would recommend wearing spikes or Yaktraks. Many people also had hiking sticks which I'm sure helped also. Definitely a don't miss! Just Gorgeous!!

Don't miss this. Well worth the uphill hike. Not too hard. We were lucky to get a parking place and miss the crowds on an overcast day midweek.

This is a pretty difficult hike, but worth every step,fortunately you return in next available bus.Water,some snack and walking sticks necessary.

Visited with friends and family and enjoyed the tough and at times very steep incline. When there you are rewarded with such beauty that one finds in movie sets. It really is a piece of heaven and well worth the moans and groans from the kids on the way up.

Bring water and wear good shoes - it’s pretty rocky terrain.

Restrooms v clean at the base.

Ensure to visit the waterfalls at the very top .

Trail is back open. Beautiful trail. It's a hard trail but I as a 38 year old, out of shape, middle aged male not used to the altitude was able to accomplish it. Despite being passed on the trail by people 20-30 years older than me and young children it was worth the challenge. The trail is very rocky but jist about anyone can do it. Take lots of breaks, bring lots of water. I would recommend hiking earlier in the day as it's a bit cooler. It was well worth it.

I'd seen a blog online which had mentioned Hanging Lake Trail, but struggled to find any mention of it in the Guide Books. Either the books are rubbish or they're trying to keep this place a secret? You'll have to book your permits in advance of your hike as there are restrictions on visitor numbers. We fortunately had an 8am hike time, the bus was well organised and although we struggled to hear the commentary on the bus, the scenery made up for it. The drop off point has a toilet and picnic area.
The hike took us the allotted time, we took opportunities to take photos and see the cheeky chipmunks at the lake. Wear proper closed-toed shoes, take water, snacks and a camera. You won't be disappointed!

Came here for a winter hike with my family, first time for us and this was amazing, the scenery was great, the trail slipping in some areas covered in snow. Reports of a mountain lion was in the area but we didn’t see any. Great for the kids on the way down sliding on their bums. Definitely recommended.

We rented bikes in town and biked to the trail. We must have been at an off time from any busses, as the trail was not overly crowded during mid afternoon. As others said, the trail is steep. We are advised hikers and we took short breaks along the way and made it up in about 50 mins. I would recommend wearing shoes with a firm sole as the trail is rocky and bring plenty of water. Highly recommend and imagine it is beautiful any time of the year.

This trail is not for the faint of heart. The 1.25 mile one way trail is very steep and rocky. It is one of the most challenging climbs we have done. Good footwear is mandatory. We were there Memorial Day week end and there was still ice in several spots. There are restrooms at the visitor center at the trail head. Lots of rest stops along the way. Make sure to research prior to heading to the trail. Reservations required. We reserved 30 days in advance and the time we wanted was sold out. We showed up early and were on standby for an earlier shuttle. You cannot drive to the site. You go to the designated area to ride a shuttle to the trail head. Cost is 12 pp. You have a designated time to return 3 hours after arrival. 3 hours is not enough time. We took longer climbing to the top. Three hours does not permit much time to enjoy the view at the top. We had to go stand by for the return ride-you are only guaranteed a seat at your designated time. Everyone on the trail must have a pass to enter. There is a person at the entrance checking to assure you have paid your fee.
Beautiful view-well worth the effort to climb to the top. Take plenty of water and snacks

A challenging hike straight up, beautiful and worth it. The shuttle in was not as usr friendly to book as the site kept crashing. We ended up just going and getting tickets at the shuttle location.

Love this place! Short but strenuous and steep hike! If I had an option to pick one place only..this would be it!

First time to Colorado! This place is well worth the hike! We will definitely go again. Our 5 grandchildren were troopers they walked the entire time!

This is a 1.2 mile hike alongside the creek which is lovely. Lots of spots with rocks or bridges to stop and catch your breath as there is also a 1000 ft change in elevation which may impact you. I am 64 and in good shape so I didn't find it bothered my heart and lungs but I did feel some lighheadedness and as we came from a much lower elevation my body had not adjusted to the change in elevation. Nothing serious, I was still able to complete the hike but had to stop a couple of times. Be sure to bring water and hydrate often. The path is a bit rough so you have to pay attention to where you are going and it can be quite challenging in some areas, still so worth it. Make sure you go to Spouting Rock at the top, just a bit further and go under the falls, so cool and refreshing too.

2 hours up, 37 minutes down. Our shuttle bus driver wouldn't wait even one extra minute and they run only every 45 minutes

We got there at 6 and there were about 10 other cars there. We were down by 9 and there was a line of cars waiting who knows how long. GO EARLY.

The hike was insane. I don't work out so I struggled. Breaks were often and I was sweating way before the 1/4 mile mark. The climb was rocks, dirt and pretty much straight up.

TAKE BREAKS. TAKE WATER. TAKE SOMEONE WHO WONT BE IN BETTER SHAPE AND WANT TO RUN UP THAT HILL WITHOUT YOU.

I saw mommies and daddies with littles strapped to them - These poor people were in for a long hike. I wish I could have helped though I am not sure that I would have been able to.

TOTALLY worth it and I wasn't so sore that I couldn't function the next day.

Ill take my teens up with us in the future though I will be leaving out 8 and 9 year old at home.

The Trail to hanging Lake is some great exercise with great views along the way. The Trail does get a lot of Hikers on it which degrades it a bit. They do their best to maintain it for you!!

This is a beautiful place. It is not an easy hike. The day we were there they had to carry a lady down that broke her ankle. The officer that was at the trailhead said they ave 2 to 3 per week. But it is worth the trip if you are in shape for it. It took us an hour up and about 50 min down.

This hike is breathtaking - literally! Nearly 1,000 feet in 1.2 miles, but it's worth it. The lake at the top is serene and gorgeous.

The hike is fairly rocky and steep, much of it is step-like, made of rock. The rock is pretty uneven, so I'd definitely recommend wearing a good pair of hiking books. Tennis shoes or other shoes leave you at a much higher risk for ankle injury (Someone broke their ankle one of the times I was on this hike , so I'm not exaggerating!)

Near the top there is a very steep section of stairs, but there are hand rails to help out. This is a fun, challenging hike!

Previously, this hike has also been very crowded and parking has been an issue. Starting this year (May 1st), they are capping the number of people who are allowed on the trail and visitors must ride a shuttle to the hike. If you're planning to go this summer, be sure to check out advance booking to make sure you get your desired time!

Go to the VisitGlenwoodSprings website for more info on the shuttle

This is an amazing hike!

We went during the " peak" season and took the shuttle from Glenwood Springs. The ride was about 15 mins.

The hike can be strenuous especially if you are an out of towner who is not used to the elevation. It can seem daunting at times but there are so many places to take a break if you need, lots of benches!

The air really cools off as you get higher up and you see some amazing views. This is by far one of my new favorite places. I cannot recommend enough!

Hike is not too bad, however it can be steep/slippery in some spots. We went in the winter (mid Jan) and it was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. We did however have spikes on the bottom of our shoes. I suggests taking hiking poles if you go in the snow, but well worth the hike.

This is def worth the hike. But it’s not a 1.2 mil hike to get to the small water fall. 4 miles in total One way. 8’.3 miles up and back. And it’s a little further to get to the big one. If you don’t plan on 5 hrs it’s hard press to fully enjoy it. And don’t do the late hike. It’s not recommended

Hard climb for some to do in three hours. Helpful to have hiking poles. I like the fact that I don't have to drive and hunt for a parking space, nice to have the bus to take you, nice rest on way back to your car.

Together with my husband we visited Hanging Lake Trail last May. It was not so easy to climb endless steep steps to reach that fantastic view!!! But it worth it!!! We will never regret it! Never!!! The view was jaw-dropping!!!

Spectacular place! It was a tough climb up but very manageable with frequent water breaks. The view, of both the lake and waterfall, was well worth it!

This is not the easiest of trails but it is well worth the effort and there are amazing views around every turn and hill

Hanging Lake is an amazing hiking opportunity In Glenwood Springs. Not only the Lake at the end of the trail but also the whole trail is visually enchanting making the hike a very enjoyable one. It is a very popular trail in spite of how strenuous it is. That is the reason, the city limits the number of people on the trail by a pay-permit system, and by shuttle transport to the trailhead. Currently it costs $12 for the service. The shuttle drops off hikers at the Hanging Lake trail stop where there is a full restroom facility. Then it is about a ten-minute walk on the paved Glenwood Canyon Bike trail to the Hanging Lake trailhead, where permits are checked before one is allowed to get on the trail.

The hike from here on is a continuous ascent on rocky terrain (about 1.4 miles up). The trail wends through the canyon next to the Dead Horse Creek. The path crosses the creek several times by means of wooden bridges. Almost continuous shade is available through the whole trek. The view of the bridges and the numerous waterfalls make the scenery worth stopping to appreciate. The trail is a further steep climb at the end just before reaching the Lake, but a nice stair with handrailing has been built by the city to help with getting to the top. These stairs are also a place to get an expansive view of the canyon below.

Once at the top where the a lake is, the city has built a wide boardwalk with rest benches on the edge of the lake. Caution: The handrailing on the boardwalk is not continuous, so be cautious of the breaks in railing. The boardwalk is the place to rest and enjoy the beautiful turquoise lake and the two waterfalls that spring from the mountain in front that feed the lake. The water is so clear that the abundant little trout fish are easily visible.

Additionally, there is a little path from the boardwalk (about 5 minute walk) to Sprouting Rock so one can go behind the two water falls for an amazing experience. The sight, the cool mist and sounds of the waterfalls are not to be missed. I would rank this whole hike experience as a classic hike. My hats off to Glenwood Springs.

1. Must go
This really is completely worth your time. The shuttle was clean and timely, although we did have to wait some time for the next return shuttle.
The hike is quite steep, it’s worth it to stop andenjoy the scenery on your way up. The view is absolutely worth it- be sure to take the trail to sprouted rock.
There was still snow in some places resulting in portions of the trail that were quite slick. The last portion of the hike ( war the rail) is quite steep, be mindful of you are afraid of heights.
Outstanding trail and absolutely worth your tome. Budget at least 3 hours+ for the hike with the shuttle (about 20 minutes each way).

When I read about this lake, I knew immediately that I would like to photograph it. Little did I know how much of an effort it would be to get there, but after a steep climb up, I was not disappointed. It’s absolutely stunning!!
We happened to choose the hottest day of the week, possibly the summer, to make this hike, and I was glad I took a walking stick and plenty of water!
We missed our reserved bus by just two minutes, but the next one came right along. If it’s hot, allow yourself a little more time unless you’re young and fit.
Definitely a once in a lifetime place to visit!

Beautiful view at the top. Very tough hike but we did it. Took us 2 hours to reach the top, but we are seniors 69 & 81. So just pace yourself and enjoy the views of small waterfalls on the way up. We were booked on the 1:30 bus but showed up before 9:00 and got the earlier ride. Also missed our bus for our return but caught the next bus. Suggest hiking in the morning to avoid the hotter weather. Can cross this off my Bucket List. Take lots of water and some snacks.

We went in summer with my family my son is 3 years old, and he made it until the top, the view is amazing!!
The trail is a little bit hard but anyone can do it, resting a little bid.

This is a great hike up to a beautiful small mountain lake and water fall. If driving, go early as the parking fills up fast. We ride bikes in from Glenwood (6 miles) and it was a great ride along the river. The return trip is almost all down hill. Make sure you take the 5 minute hike from the lake up to spouting rock water fall. It is well worth it.

It is important to know that as of May 2021 a reservation and permit is required to visit. We were turned away because we did not get one ahead of time.

Went on a Tuesday. I would say moderate to difficult for most people. Bring lots of water and maybe rain gear. Total time about 3 hours. AWESOME!

A moderately difficult train. Clear marked paths. Beautiful scenery the entire way! about 95% shaded. The last leg up to the lake is the steepest. Recommend good hiking boots!! No mud on the trail it was dry the entire way. After you leave the lake make a right up to spouting rock. Well worth the extra little walk up!! If you want to stand in the falls I would recommend bringing a change of clothes or a towel! We didn't and wish we had!

If you can't get there to park before 9:00 AM (the lot is really small), then you are better off waiting until later in the afternoon. We arrived around 3:00 PM on a weekday and there were several open spots. The hike up took us about an hour and 15 min. It is straight up, but beautiful along the way. It is not the easiest hike and we left our younger children at home. I would not recommend bringing kids under 9 or 10 yrs. old. Wear good shoes for hiking because it is rocky in many spots. The lake and waterfall at the top are just gorgeous. Well worth it for sure. I've never seen anything like the color of Hanging Lake. And PLEASE, PLEASE respect the efforts to conserve this area and do not attempt to go in or touch the water. We saw an Asian tourist bend over and take a drink from the lake and I almost lost it. We want the trail to stay open for everyone to experience, so leave it alone.

This is a strenuous hike uphill, 1000 feet, but worth the work! It took our family 1 hour to climb up and 30 min to walk down. Our 4 kids are ages 9-16 years old. Bring water and there are stops to take breaks along the way.

The climb is deceptively tough, but it was a pleasant hike. Give yourself self a couple of hours if you want to enjoy the 1.2 mile climb

You can only reach the trail, now, by booking tickets either online or in person, during the "summer" months of May-October. Limited number of tickets each day, so plan ahead. Sells out. Then they provide a bus from downtown Glenwood Springs to the trail head. You're given a guaranteed seat in about 3 1/2 hours to make the hike and return to the bus. If you're quicker than that--or longer--you can take a number and ride stand-by, but don't worry, they won't leave anyone behind. The 3 1/2 hours is about right--especially when you get a look at the lake and the waterfalls--just amazing.
First 1/3 mile is on the paved bike path, then about a mile of uphill hiking over rocky terrain, some of it gets really steep, with handrails. It is strenuous but loads of kids and "flat-landers" make the hike daily, so not too bad. But please watch small children! There is a section of trail covered with water, so take your time and pay attention. Mostly shady trail.
The view at the top is simply indescribable. Gorgeous lake with water so clear it's almost invisible. Plenty of benches and places to sit, so bring a lunch and relax. Take the extra trail to the waterfalls to cool off.

TIPS: Lots of Water, Protein, Walking Stick, and Perseverance.

The end is worth the journey and make sure you go all the way up to Sprouting Rock and then hit the lake. We loved the reservations system as it makes the hike and visitor volume extremely manageable and makes the hike all the more enjoyable. If it was a free-for-all it would be a much different experience especially on the weekends.

Make your reservations online well in advance for the early time slots and arrive at the Glenwood community center 30 min early as suggested. You will need to check-in inside the community center and get your pass for the bus transportation. Bus ride is about 20ish minutes long to the trailhead. Restrooms are at the community center and at the trailhead. You will take the concrete path for approximately a 1/4 mile and then the trailhead is on the left side immediately before the bridge, if you go over the bridge you have gone too far.

We always take our hikes early and this was no exception as we went at 8:15a - 11:45a. They allow for 3 hours round trip and we had a full bus going (~44 people) and only about a 1/3 of the people made it back on our bus @ 11:45.

It took us 80 minutes to climb up with a lot of short breaks. It is one giant stair climb going up and I recommend a hiking pole/stick for all. It is 1000 foot ascent and 60 flights of stairs per our trackers to the top. Make certain to bring enough water and protein. We had water packs which are life savers for these kind of hikes. Be prepared if you have young children or are carrying any on your back as again it is a 1.1 mile hike straight up on an aggressive stair climber and it is completely doable for all ages if you plan accordingly but make certain to set your expectations properly as you may need to catch a later bus depending on your rate of ascent. It is a mostly shaded trail which is really nice. There are 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 1 mile makers along the way and that last 1/4 mile seems like it takes forever in your mind but keep going it is worth it.

After viewing the Sprouting rock at the very top and taking some time at the lake which was truly beautiful we then started the return descending trek. It took us ~45ish minutes to get down and really just depends on how fast you want to go and again the hiking sticks were a must for us and the volume of people made it a very enjoyable hike down.

We made it back to the pick up point with 20 min to spare which was perfect. Bus drivers are prompt and we were in our vehicle and on our way back home 30 minutes later.

It was well worth it.

TIPS: Lots of Water, Protein, Walking Stick, and Perseverance.

Enjoy!!!😀

Nice hike but very very crowded. The lake is very nice and people are friendly. The hike is short but steep and everyone hiking needs good shoes and water. Spend time going to the Sprouted rock which is really cool.

We took our children 3,5 9, 13 and they did great! It was pretty steep but the view at the top was worth it. A little over a mile each way.

We hiked the lake trail in August. We stayed at a nearby hotel and took an early shuttle. If you desire to hike you must get a pass, available online, and take the shuttle. This is well worth it and reduces the amount of foot traffic considerably. The hike is a bit strenuous and definitely windy. Take your time and take a few rest stops along the way up and down. There are seven bridges you cross and each has a seating area. To get the best experience after seeing the lake hike a short distance up and see the falls that fill the lake. While you cannot touch hanging lake you can walk beneath the falls Spouting Rock.

Most everything is covered in previous comments. I would encourage 6:30 a.m. time frame. We were disappointed when that was the time available but it turned out to be the best decision. It was nice & cool while hiking up. When we got to the top, there was a short side trail we could have taken to some waterfalls. A woman told us to go to the lakes first since since we exerted ourselves getting there & the land around the lake was flat & relaxing. We took some pictures then backtracked (a few hundred feet) to the waterfall trail. It was a short, easy climb yet I did like the woman’s suggestion. After taking pictures there, we noticed sun getting brighter so had to go back to check out the lighting on the lakes. Glad we did. Got even better pictures. As we descended, we passed a lot of people heading up making me realize again how glad I was we got the earlier time. Many beautiful views all along the trail which I snapped pictures of on the way down, when the sun was out more. Hiking in the cooler morning but having the sun come out more when we were at our destination & on our way back made 6:30 a.m. a great hiking time.

A great hike! Took about 2 hours up and back down after stopping about 10 times on the way up for a few minutes to rest. No problem parking at 8:30am on a Sunday but 5 minutes later would have had us waiting for a spot. As many say hydration is more important than you might think before and during. The falls trail was closed for some sort of construction but the lake was pretty even though the air was smoky for nearby wildfires. Restroom was modernish with no hand towels but running water and drinking fountains. Make sure to book your reservation weeks in advance for an early time.

The hike is great but the website doesn't accurately describe the difficulty in my opinion.
Be aware that there are some large steps and lots of rocky uneven parts on the trail. The very end is really steep and only wide enough for one person, you can't go up or down if somebody is approaching.
The hike is worth the effort and the falls just before the end are a must see.
Get there early because there's not nearly enough parking. Bring lots of water and wear sunscreen.

The hike is rather steep at times. Use trekking poles if need some help with balance or for the joints. The hike follows the stream and has constant waterfalls and beauty. The trip is worth every step! The reservation and bus system went smoothly. Pack plenty of water. You will not regret hiking to Hanging Lake!

Hanging Lake was truely stunning and probably one of the favourite trails. Its a slow climb most of the way with a scramble up some rocks at the very end. Lots of shade, sounds of the river as you're walking and plenty of wildlife! Hike wasn't that hard but make sure to bring plenty of water and good shoes as some of the path is slippery. You need a permit to hike so make sure to book in advance, The rangers were around and very friendly and helpful. The bus too and from the site was well organised as well

We are flat landers and did the total trail in 3 hours 30 minutes, that included a nice stop at the top for pics and the hike over to spouting rock waterfall. It's only 5 minutes more for the waterfall and I recommend it. Absolutely stunning lake and views from the top. Last 100 feet or so is quite steep but there are hand rails. My son who is 11 had no trouble at all. Take lots of water and go early!! You won't regret the hike once you see what is at the top!

Heart pumping steep rocky climb to a beautiful serene small lake and waterfall. Plenty of benches to rest along the way. No cell phone service in this area of Glenwood Canyon.

Go early (like 7:30am) to beat the traffic and get a parking space. It's not a terribly long hike but it can be strenuous if you're not used to going uphill a lot.
If you do this hike, be courteous and respectful to Mother Earth. If you see trash, pick it up and bring it back with you!

This is a very good hike. As everyone has stated get there early. On a Monday we got in at 7:40am and only a few parking spots left! This hike is not easy but I woudnt say its difficult. Slow and steady with our teenagers! We saw lots of older people (I'm 61) and many over weight people that made it. Don't miss Spouting Rock! Dont hike all that way and not go another 200 ft!

This is a fantastic hike! Make a reservation for sure! Lots of “steps” but not a long hike. There is a lot of vertical gain though! Make sure you go to the spouting rock waterfall too!

The hike is really not that bad and you have amazing views the whole way. The topnis picture perfect and nice for a good snack. Definitely would recommend!

We used to do this hike regularly (every year) with our kids. They started requiring reservation and we got our tickets back in April for this weekend (Strawberry Days) in particular. The problem is that you cannot cancel the tickets less than basically three days out and there is no refunds. It was SNOWING yesterday and raining today and the weather was pretty unpredictable. We had tickets for 8:15 and despite getting there 20 minutes early (PLENTY of PARKING and YOU DEFINITELY DO NOT HAVE TO GET THERE 45 minutes early as they suggest). People arrived 2 minutes before the scheduled leave time and had no problem. They DON"T leave on time which is annoying.

The welcome center unashamedly sells expensive souvenir shirts and rents poles for $10. Expensive snacks and water bottles basically. A truly commercialized experience.

Its a typical school bus - nothing fancy like a shuttle.

You get to the site and its a little sad to see the fully empty parking lot falling into disrepair. The hike was fine. It a 1.2 mile hike up to the lake and then a few hundred yards maybe to Sprouting Rock (which frankly seems to be a better view than Hanging Lake). They have put a lot of chains and closing off of parts of the trail which is sad and fully detracts from the hike, They have put some barriers in and one part is a tree that almost fully blocks the trail. They call them "improvements" but the trail isn't that "natural" anymore as they have poured concrete in a bunch of places to make "steps" now. Its not an arduous hike as there were many old people on the hike as well as 3 and 4 year olds hiking by themselves. The very end might need a little assistance as the steps are large.

You have to wear these ridiculous badges the whole hike and you get 3 hours from drop of to "return" trip. The problem is that we got to the hike by 8:40 and easily were done by 10 but had to wait for our "assigned" return time of 8:45. So basically sitting in the parking lot for 45 minutes to wait for the "assigned" bus. Busses only run every 45 minutes and you are ASSIGNED a return tme. You can TRY to stand by but they have a really stupid system to try to grab a stand by pass which are all piled on a board. Oddly anyone hiking up can grab them and so the only thing left (even if you are the ONLY person there is a 19 or something stupid.

We saw one hiking ranger. Oddly he said nothing about the idiots who blocked the path (creating a parade because slow and oblvious hikers dont undersatnd trail etiquette). He also walked by several hikers with LOUD speakers BLARING metal music and said nothing. Honeslty if you want to listen to music while you hike, take headphones. Most of us want to enjoy the music of the waterfalls and river. While its great they finally got animals (dogs) off the trails (no more stepping in poo that no one picks up), they don't bother to educate anyone on hiking etiquette (step off the path for hikers that are obviously in better condition/hiking faster). We saw a TON of people feeding the ground squirrels at the lake (and the ranger said nothing there either).

They have simply commercialized the experience without improving it. Busses don't run often enough and the "assignment" of buses back strand people unnecessarily. There is no cell service either.

I have to agree with other travellers, there are far more beautiful waterfall hikes, better vistas and they are free and uncommercialized. We have done this hike with our family for many year and this is our very last time we will do this hike, Its so sad how commercial it is. The only people hiking are entitled people who have little respect for the actual nature experience. Loud music several times, People who have no understanding of hiking (hike to the right, step off the path to rest, dont' block the trail, keep conversations between your own party (screaming and yellling to hear yourself echo is annoying), standing under the actual waterfall (so no one can take pictures without YOU in it) is self absorbed and downright rude.

We enjoy the beauty of hanging lake with people who maybe can't afford the "shuttle" and consider if they "pay" for the experience they can ruin it for everyone else as they please. You used to be able to do it as a sunrise experience but now you can't. You have no say over how long you can take (otherwise you may not get on a shuttle back for HOURS). If you take the 6 am shuttle , there is no return until 9:30.

An easy hike for someone who has never hiked before and wants a 'starter' experience.

This hike was mostly through forest, but once you arrived at the lake...it was spectacular and worth the hike! The waterfall was worth seeing also. We were 2 families with kids ranging in age from 9 years old to 13 years old and one of the kids is not that into hiking, but everyone enjoyed this hike and it was a very doable 2-3 hour hike round trip (for those with limited hiking interest)

It’s open! The fires last year came close but didn’t affect the area as much as it could have thank goodness. The trail is easier to follow than I remembered from my visit years ago. It’s still a long hike if you’re not used to hiking because of the uphill path and the altitude. Loose pebbles and rocks were my main concern as I’m clumsy and usually twist my ankle by not watching where I step. I brought walking poles which actually made it easier once I got used to them. They we’re definitely handy on the way down.

You book online on timed tickets which include parking or you can select biking as well. I think they also have tickets without either option. You need to print out your permit to show and there’s no cell service there so you can’t access your emails for the permit. They send a reminder email when it’s almost trip time. If you’re heading from Denver or on I-70 West, you need to get off at the Grizzly Creek rest stop exit 121. Then get back on I-70 heading East and get off at the Hanging Lake exit 125 I believe. At the entrance to the parking area there is a Park Ranger checking tickets and they also have information for you if you’ve never been before.

Primarily restrooms at the bottom, none up at the lake. Follow the path a little ways but realize it’s not like that on the trail up as the path is a biking path. Park near the loop or if full then come back towards the entrance and park along the road before the exit. It’s a little over a mile but it goes 1,000 feet uphill. Don’t swim or disturb the area. Check out the Spouting Rock area to the left of the lake, a few more yards up.

All good information. I showed my permit and we parked. Made sure we had our water and used the restroom before we set off. After walking along and taking in the sights - soaring mountainside and river, we turned left at a clearing with informational boards and a gate. There was another Park Ranger who checked our permits once more and off we went. You have three hours to complete your round trip and it took us an hour to hike up. People passed us going up and down and we passed some people. You’re expected to give way if you have a better spot to do so and everyone yielded without being asked which was nice. There was one guy who was rude on the way down as he brushed by me bounding down. That was not cool as it scared me since I’m already afraid of heights and was trying to be careful.

There are rest areas all the way up. Some are benches, some natural - trees stumps and logs. There is a stream which was dry at the lower levels. There are switchbacks where you can mistake it as a path. That was one of my worries is I’d get lost but it was better than I remembered.

The extra yards to Spouting Rock was worth it. Lovely waterfall you can walk behind and interesting rock features. Also cool in the shade and spray of the water. We walked down to the lake and enjoyed watching the fishes swim beneath the fauna. The columbines were pretty. And the waterfalls amazing. The lake is clear and the color so gorgeous. The lush vegetation is so green.

The way down we took our time to enjoy the bridges and the stream and the butterflies. It was easier for me coming down than going up. I heard from another group that they felt coming down was more difficult and hard on their calves. I would recommend hiking to the lake once in your lifetime if you enjoy the outdoors. But pace yourselves and drink enough water. Wear the right gear. Bring snacks but pack it out. And don’t ruin the lake and the surroundings.

Trail is closed and is planed to stay closed for the foreseeable future
The pictures look like it would have been amazing
But…. The trail is closed :(

Yes, all other reviews are right, you need to see this. All reviews about the difficulty of the trail were correct, although the trail is in great shape considering the usage. I tried on two previous trips to Glenwood Springs to do this, only to be thwarted at the parking lot, but the parking lot does a good job of governing how many folks are on the trail at one time. It never felt crowded, just busy. This time we rode bikes down the canyon and parked at the trail head. Highlight for me was the staircase section right below the lake. Reminded me of Angel's Landing at Zion. Do the Spouting Horn side trip while you're there. Very cool.

You pick up that Hanging Lake Shuttle at the Hanging Lake Welcome Center , 110 Wulfsohn Road, Glenwood Springs, CO. Staff is wonderful. the hike is beautiful, but challenging for older folks (lots of big rock steps). Trail is well-maintained. The lake is truly one of the gems of nature.

I've done this hike twice, once before it got ruined by disrespectful tourists and once after they initiated the 'bus to the trail' policy. Evidently things got so far out of hand and trashed the place to the point where they had to take things more seriously, which is an absolute shame but entirely worth it. That said, THIS TRAIL IS NO LONGER OPEN TO THE PUBLIC WITHOUT A PASS.

The trail itself is a big climb up the side of a beautiful little stream that features tons of small waterfalls and is just beautiful. While the water looks as fresh as physically possible, there is a risk of bacteria so don't drink the water no matter how hot and humid it is.

The majority of this climb is in the shade, but it does start off in the sun for the first 10% of the climb. Be aware of that. The shade makes the sun more tolerable but adds a bit of humidity, so come prepared with plenty of water There are seven bridges that crisscross the Dead Horse Creek and each has a small bench nearby or place to sit and rest. The most difficult portions are between bridges 2-3 and 5-6. You'll be given a total of 3hrs which should translate to an hour to hike up, an hour up there, and an hour down but going down only takes about 35 minutes so you're given plenty of time for this 1.2mile hike.

Please remember that you start at a high elevation, so if you've just come in from the low country and haven't taken a few days for your lungs to adjust you'll find this hike even more challenging than it seems on paper. Overall it's a fairly easy and rewarding hike if you know your limitations.

Moderate to strenuous hike to beautiful hanging lake with falls .natural minerals make water so blue. Surrounded by Rick walls. Restrooms at base. Extremely poor parking. Need to bus folk in from external lot.

This was a moderately strenuous hike, going up about 1.2 miles. You are walking /climbing most of the time over rocks and tree roots, as you hike. Although you are going high up, you’re not on an edge most of the time, which worked for me because I don’t like heights. The short part where you are exposed to an edge, is protected by railings. At the end are delightful Hanging Lake and Sprouting Rock. The water at Hanging Lake was so clear that we could see fish swimming in the water. It took us about two hours round-trip to complete the hike, and we really loved it!

When you see the sign on Hwy stop! This is one really beautiful place. The trail is really really steep. Hiking poles would help out a lot on this trail. The trail climbs over 1000 fr in only a few miles. At the top the lake and waterfalls are awesome. Bring plenty of water.

I am in my 50's and my husband in his 60's. We decided to brave the trail. I would recommend good hiking shoes because this is about 1.25 miles long but you are ascending about 1400 feet. There were some slippery spots. However, the views are worth it. We did see people with small children on their shoulders and people with flip flops; wouldn't suggest either.

This was a tough hike but worth it! My husband and I hiked up with our 4 and 9 year old girls. The trail is very rocky, much like climbing steps. It gets steep at the very top so that was the hardest and scariest part with my 4 year old. The water is beautiful at the top with plenty of seating in the shade. We got there around 10 and the parking lot was full. Cars line up waiting for someone to leave so it took about 30 minutes to park. Take lots of water and take it slow and you will make it up! The hike was worth it!

Hanging Lake in the winter is glorious! A bit tricky with the shaded and icy trail portions. But slow and steady gets you there and it is truly worth it...magical!

irs a really nice hike go 4 it plenty of places to rest on the way up. You are hiking up the entire way so plan...

Definitely worth getting up early before the parking lot is full and starting the climb early in the day. A walking stick is recommended for some of the steeper parts of the hike.

My wife and I picked up a couple of delicious sandwiches sodas & water and rented some Bikes from Glenwood Adventures. They dropped us at Bear Ranch and we Biked the canyon back towards Glenwood Springs with the intention of Picnicking at Hanging Lake. We arrived at the trail head chained our bikes and started our hike. A kind soul on his way down offered me his walking stick (a 4 foot thin branch) I gave it to my wife and found another. Trust me this came in handy! This hike doesn't mess around its almost immediately a tough stony climb. There are several spots to stop and take a break . There are even a few benches scattered along the trail. You will cross a total of 7 bridges on your way up. This comes in handy for figuring your progress. When passing the last bridge on your way up, its about 10 to 15 minutes ahead. You will be aided by some rails which will help you along this last stretch. Once you are there at Hanging Lake, you will realize how worth it the hike was. It is simply breathtaking. Go ahead and do yourself a favor and climb the extra way up to the waterfall above. You will not be disappointed. The hike back down is a whole lot easier!
Remember stay hydrated, use a walking stick and PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE WILDLIFE!

This is an absolutely beautiful hike! Easy for kids (10 & 7). But it is NOT free. You will need a permit for each hiker $12 each. You will also have to reserve your spot early. The earliest time we could get was 3 days out.

The trail is difficult. We are in our 60's and used our hiking poles. We do a lot of hiking and this is the busiest trail we have been on. We got there early and had no trouble parking. When we left at 11 AM people were waiting in line to find a parking spot

Hanging Lake Trail is a great hike for all levels. It is not what I would call a technical hike, but it does have a tremendous amount of elevation gain over a relatively short distance. I would just say pace yourself depending on your level of fitness. We arrived around 6:30 am and the lot had not starting filling up at that point. Going up we didn't experience that many hikers. The lake and area at the top (including spouting rock) are so amazingly natural and beautiful that it makes the effort well worth the trip. I would add that on the way down the trail had gotten very crowded, so I would try to arrive as early as possible. The parking lot was completely full upon our return. This is what I would call a must do in the Glenwood Springs area!

This was the first time me and my husband visited Glenwood Springs, CO we just wanted to do something different for New Years 2018 and even though it had just finish snowing it was really a nice place to visit and we anticipate going again and taking the grand kids.

Absolutely amazing. I was planning our vacation in Colorado and I came across photos of Hanging Lake. Even after reading reviews I decided that I needed to do this hike. I totally surprised my husband. So much so, that a month after our vacation he is still talking about it. Reason being he is still shocked that I decided to do this and that I actually followed through: I am probably 100 pounds overweight, give or take. I am NOT athletic. I am a couch potato and I HATE to sweat. I also broke my ankle (off the bottom of my leg) a few years back and I have a lot of hardware (screws, plates, etc.) in there and it just doesn’t work like it did before I broke it. Not to mention I am NOT a morning person. So, taking all of that into consideration he was/is still completely blown away with this portion of our trip and the fact that I did the entire hike with a smile, from ear to ear, the entire time.

Read the reviews, mine included, as they have valuable information included in them.

I got up earlier on vacation to do this hike, then I do to go to work… WORTH IT!!! Would do it again without hesitation.

We arrived early at the parking lot, so parking was not an issue. However, we didn’t realize that there wouldn’t be a place to stop and get breakfast on the way from where we were staying. ☹ So we arrived having not eaten since dinner the night before. I stupidly suggested that we should just do the hike “since it is only a mile”. HAHAHA I knew it was “difficult” so who knows what I was thinking! We started around 8:00am, I think, and we did not finish until noon, I think. We went all the way to the top including the extra portion to see Spouting Rock. I have included almost 30 photos. I am glad we started earlier because it did get very hot by the time we were descending. It also got substantially more crowded. I preferred the hike on the way up where there
weren’t others on the trail.

I have absolutely no regrets. This was hands down the best hike I have ever done. The “reward”, at the middle - because you must go back down, meaning the views of the beautiful lake were worth it all. I would absolutely do it again. I would prepare better the next time to say the least. But, I would love to do this again.

I wore sneakers and I was fine. A better shoe should probably be worn but I didn’t pack that type of footwear. I had limited space in my luggage since this was a 10-day trip for us. Make sure your shoes have tread on the bottom at least. I also recommend taking water and even possibly snacks – at least for when you’re finished. You should also eat breakfast beforehand…. HAHA – I did say I wasn’t thinking. This is a very challenging hike. There is a little bit of everything on this hike. Steep sections, stairs, bridges – 7 total, gorgeous views, beautiful scenery, benches to rest, etc. It has a huge elevation change for the “short” length of it. I took a TON of rests along the way, that is why a mile-long hike took us so long. This worked out well for my dear husband since he likes to take photos. Going down is also not super easy, especially when you’re short, although it is substantially easier than going up. A lot faster to go down too. If you are afraid of heights, there is a section very close to the top where you are on a ledge and there are actually rails. It’s like being on a lookout. Spectacular views but, I could see some people being frightened by the height of it. When we completed our hike the parking lot was full, and people were waiting for others to leave so they could park.

Last, we were really disappointed with the amount of people feeding wild animals. Please people do NOT feed the wildlife. There are a million reasons why this is a horrible thing to do. Most were doing it to be able to photograph them ☹ Selfish! How do you know if what you are feeding them is toxic to them??? We saw a chipmunk, included a photo, and beautiful birds, at the lake. I did not get a photo of the birds, as I refused to feed them like the other people there…

Also, people were very selfish regarding taking photos. We encountered this a lot on our trip throughout Colorado. When we went up to Spouting Rock it was impossible to get a photo of it without people in it. I don’t understand why they couldn’t just get in position take the photo and move on so others could have their turn. Then while waiting for the others to continue on, more people would come and then just go in front of you, like you were invisible. Aside from this, it was an experience that I will NEVER forget.

This lake is something out of Never Never Land. It wouldn't have surprised me if Captain Hook himself came walking up to me while there because the lake is hard to describe how beautiful it is. A fairy tale can be the closest description of this lake. I know there are over 2000 reviews of this lake, but you just have to see it to understand. THE WATERFALL COMES DIRECTLY OUT OF THE ROCK in the upper falls. I am telling you, it is hard to make this stuff up. For experienced hikers, this trail is a piece of cake, but if you do not live at altitude, it might be hard. Take your time and ENJOY THE SCENERY! Please stick to the trail and don't play with the water.

Make sure you are relatively fit, or be prepared for a long strenuous walk. It took my husband and I 50mins to get there but others who were over weight and unfit took a lot longer. We are not over the top fitness fanatics but you still need some level of fitness. Once you get to top, it’s all worth it.

As the website says, make sure you're prepared for the trail. It's short, but it's all uphill, and sections are steep and/or rocky. Wear good shoes, bring a water bottle, and catch your breath whenever you need to.

The trail climbs through Dead Horse Canyon next to the creek, and the last section before the top suddenly opens up for a great view all the way down the canyon you just ascended. The lake is just as lovely as all the pictures, with clear, turquoise green water. Spouting Rock was awesome as well; I would have hiked this trail just for these falls! So neat that you can walk all the way around them.

It sounds like parking can be limited even with the reservation system, so arrive early in your window. You have to walk a section of the Glenwood Canyon bike path to get from the parking lot to the trailhead, but it's short (0.25 mi), flat and paved, and very scenic in its own right.

Our family of four (13- and 11-year-old) really enjoyed this hike. It was tough, but doable, and well worth it once we arrived at the top. It took us about 90 minutes to get up, then we enjoyed a snack and the beauty of the lake and spouting rock, an additional little hike to the left, where you get to go behind a breathtaking waterfall. It took us just over 30 minutes to get down, but we were moving pretty quickly. Pack water and a snack. The very top is a scary stairwell with rail next to a dropoff, a little scary, but conquerable even for my height-gearing self.

This is now up there with one of my two favorite hikes of all time. Though short, just 1.2 miles, you climb 1200 feet, but the view at the end makes it so worth it! It also was not crowded, thanks to the new shuttle/permit system. The shuttle ride was a short 15-20 minutes. We saw waterfalls like this in Croatia, but had never seen anything like it here- just gorgeous!!!

A good friend told us not to miss this hike while we were in Colorado. We are so glad we made the time to do it.
I have to admit we started off at too quick a pace and I needed very quickly to stop and rest. My hubby and I are both in our early 60's.
We fell in behind a young couple with several children and their pace suited ours until we got our heart rates and breathing under control.
It can feel precarious especially at the very top and dang having short legs can be a drawback, but I made it!
The lake is gorgeous and the short trek up to the waterfall is worth it as well. Once you got that far make sure you do that.
The trip down is somewhat easier but the main thing is to remember it's not a race. Stop and enjoy the time being out in nature.
Things will be changing next year since there have been issues with the way people have been using the trail and the lake
I'm not sure who is in charge of the area but starting next year they are limiting how many hikers can go up in a day. They are planning on shuttling people to the parking lot and you will need to have obtained a voucher for the hike.

On my bucket list for 30 years--turns out that it was a good thing that we waited until fee/permits are required--660 people a day, rather than an hour and no parking issues made for a very pleasant experience. Reservations and bus ride went smoothly. We took the last bus up (4:30) and enjoyed hiking in the cooler part of the day. The hike is a steady climb, but along a beautiful creek with beautiful views the whole way. Lake is lovely; make sure you go the extra 1/4 mile to see Spouting Rock.
With the last bus up, there is a $250 per person charge if you miss the final bus back at 7:30 or so. We hiked up, took lots of pictures, explored Spouting Rock, took pictures on the way back down, chatted with some fellow hikers, and still made an earlier shuttle back. But we weren't hiking with younger kids. Shuttle seats are available first by reservation time, then first-come, first-served with space available, so taking a different shuttle back didn't seem to be any trouble.
This is truly a moderate-more difficult hike as it is a steady climb with few level traverses. Trekking poles are helpful for those with knee, ankle, or balance issues. They rent them at the bus loading station if you don't have them and think you might want them. Do wear sturdy shoes and bring water if you want to have fun. Crocs and flip-flops are not good choices. We saw families, kids in backpacks, younger kids, very pregnant women, and octagenarians all successfully reaching the lake, even though the path was wet in spots due to snow melt. Trail is well-defined--you won't get lost or need navigational aids. So glad we went!

A must see in Glendale. Doable but difficult trail for the out of shape. It took us 4 hours round trip. I’d also recommend renting a hiking stick as it helps. My sister and I counted down the seven bridges to encourage us that we were getting closer. Unless there is another easier trail it would not be doable for those in wheelchairs. Make sure to go to one of the earlier time slots if out of shape to leave extra time so you can ride one of the other shuttles back to your car.

The full hike took us just over three hours and we needed to take a few breaks due to some little legs (7 year old) in our group. We got there at 7:30am and that seemed to be the perfect time. When we were leaving just before 11am there was a huge line of cars waiting to get in. Make sure you wear tennis shoes - do not attempt in flip flops!

The trail is currently closed due to mudslides in the area. Sections of I-70 are completely closed as well. It has been like this since sometime in July. Be aware if traveling to Glenwood Springs area. Several hikes are inaccessible and the river is currently brown from all the mud.

This trail is about 1.8 miles long but it is up and steep. However, the reward is well worth it. At the top the trail splits into a Y. Go left a short way further to discover a nice waterfall that you can walk behind. Go back down the trail to the Y and go right. This is a wow factor. One will discover a small lake/pond size body of water created when the lake was located higher up the mountain and collapsed. Blue/green crystal clear water held in place by travertine dams.
One will also find aggressive chipmunks that if you let them will climb into your pack looking for food.
Because this place is so amazing, the number of people allowed to hike in is limited. You can easily make reservations ahead of time to acquire a pass and transportation via a bus. You get 3 hours to hike up and back. You do need to be in shape. I would rate it moderate plus.

The hike is well worth the time and effort. There were plenty of places to rest on the way up. You are hiking up the entire way so plan on at least an hour if you’re in decent shape. It can be a little tough on the knees. Go early! We started at 6:45 a.m. and there were already hikers on the trail. If you’re not a morning person, it seemed pretty calm around 5:30 /6:00 p.m. so you could always go in the evening.

This is a Bucket List destination if you love natural beauty! Just please respect it and keep it clean for future visitors.

5 of us started at 7:15AM and we were up and down back to the car by 10AM. Late July. If you aren't used to exercise you will get winded and it will be challenging. Very pretty trail and excellent views. Would recommend for hikers.

We are both in our 60's and portions of the trail were a bit challenging but it was well worth the hike. We took our time and stopped multiple times for rest breaks on the way up (a 900 foot or so elevation change) but were very glad we made it. Finding parking in mid-afternoon was a bit of the challenge as the trailhead parking is also a rest area, but on the 900 , but we found a spot after waiting a few minutes. Recommend an early start to get a parking place.

Be prepared for many conditions! We ran into mud, ice and snow on the trail. Have food, water and wear layers! We wore yaktrax on our shoes, which helped us so much! Great adventure!

One of the most beautiful things I've ever scene. It is worth the hike, but it is a VERY hard hike. If you have trouble with steps, don't attempt. We went at 5pm which was probably a good time. It is as pretty as the photos you see. A photographers dream.

We loved this hike!!! The waterfalls at the lake are raging with all the spring snow we got!!! It was so awesome to see!!! It was pretty steep grade at some parts, so families with toddlers would have a tougher time climbing that part of the hike! There are 7 bridges before you get to the lake and they get closer together the higher you get, so don’t quit before the summit!!! And the turn off for the waterfall is steep right and the beginning and then levels off so don’t let that keep you from going up to the top!! You can get behind the falls and go through a keyhole in the rock to get an amazing picture from the front of it!!!

Hanging Lake was a moderately difficult trail with lots of rocks and steps. We enjoyed the shady trail on the warm day. Take lots of water and snacks or lunch. Our Hiking sticks were very helpful going uphill and down. We chose to rent bikes in town and ride their van, avoiding the full parking lot issue. The bike ride was doable because it was downhill most of the way back to Glenwood. Be sure to see the Spouting Rock too.

The new permit and shuttle system is great. Just plan ahead, know the process and you’ll have a great time without the hassles of limited parking or a crowded trail. They issue 615 permits per day and they are spread out over the day in 15-minute increments. You park at the Hanging Lake Welcome Center. This is not the same thing as the Visitor Center, which is on the Main Street of Glenwood. The Welcome Center is adjacent to their Community Center. You can buy your passes online or through Glenwood Adventure Company. $12 per person. You take the shuttle and start your hike. Nice restroom when you get off the shuttle. Trail is 1.2 miles and it’s like climbing 90 flights of stairs. Path is rocky and uneven in places but well maintained. The lake is worth the effort. Take the path off to the side to see a larger waterfall and stand behind it. DO NOT GO IN THE LAKE OR WALK ON THE LOG. Just enjoy the beauty and keep it beautiful for everyone else.

The hike is high on rigourous rocks, but shorter than most hikes. Go early in the am if it's hot out. Parking is tight. We rented bikes and on the way down on the bike trail we stopped for the hike. The lake and waterfalls are worth it. Enjoy it when you get to the top. Eat your lunch and enjoy. Going down is easier.

We visited Hanging Lake outside of Glenwood Springs last Friday for the first time. We heard a lot about the lake but we were still very surprised by all the amazing extras.

At times we felt as though we were in 'Jurassic Park' and other times it seemed we were in a 'Lord of the Rings' movie. We had no idea there was also an incredible waterfall higher up on the hillside feeding into the lake as well. It was truly amazing! It's quite a hike so if you're out of shape or have young children I would not recommend it. I also recommend you wear appropriate attire and bring lots of water.

There was so much to see and experience. I took a ton of photos and selected my favorite for this post.

You can no longer drive yourself to Hanging Lake, and I recommend you make your reservations early to ensure you have a seat on the shuttle. The office and shuttle are located at the Glenwood Springs Community Center which is across the street from the Marriott.

There is a large clean bathroom in the parking where you can also fill up your water bottles.

Definitely not an easy hike for beginners, but worth every step of the way. Don't forget to take the path to the left as you approach to see a beautiful waterfall. The permit system that has been put in place is phenomenal and prevents overcrowding. The only inconvenience is that if you don't book early enough you may not get a spot. I could not imagine visiting this place and being able to take it all in if there were hundreds of people there. I expect the permit system to be utilized in many more attractions within the National Parks and completely understand why. The hike takes approximately 1 hour each way and recommend spending about 30 to 45 minutes at the lake.

Hanging Lake is worth the climb. The trail is shaded in spots and follows a creek the whole way up. It is a little steep, but well worth the view at the top. Be sure to take the little side trail to Sprouted Rock. A permit is required for this trail.

Between the shuttle and the 3 hour time on the trail, this was a half day excursion for us. We haven't hiked it before, but I certainly appreciate that the new permit system makes the trail not as crowded as it sounds like it used to be! We had no problems with the reservation/pass process and 3 hours was a good amount of time for us.

We hiked it with our 4 & 6 year olds on foot no problem, but are all regular hikers in good shape with proper hiking shoes. It definitely was not an easy hike but we didn't feel like we needed poles or to take a ton of breaks I loved how the trail wound across the same creek/rapids/mini waterfalls over and over again, and the hanging lake summit was gorgeous! Going off to spouting rock was 100% worth it, standing behind it was thrilling. We had maybe 20 minutes extra down at the bottom waiting for our return bus, so the timing felt perfect.

I wouldn't choose this hike over going up to RMNP but we are really glad we came over for a day, spending 1 night and swimming in the hot springs pool as well. The views at the top are beautiful and so it the entire trail going up!

I saw photos of the lake prior to the hike and didn't understand the draw. However, the canyon is absolutely stunning!

I will give it to you straight. Parking is tight and it is monitored. So if you get there and the lot is full they will send you packing. The hike is strenuous. It is straight up. It is certainly something most people can do, but it isn't a "walk in the park". The view is amazing. It is well worth the effort.

Beautiful sight to see! Book in advance during peak season. My husband and I were fortunate to be added to a wait list and were able to take the place on the shuttle for “no shows”. I would not count on “standby” in the summer due to the rush of visitors.
The hike was much more steep then we expected. From the look of fellow hikers, they seemed to feel the same way. It was over 900 vertical feet to the Hanging Lake.

Know your limits!! This hike is listed as moderate. We hiked it on a very hot and humid day and witnessed the tragedy of a hiker suffering a cardiac arrest. Altitude , vertical incline and intense heat proved deadly. Be smart and safe.

A few tips:
1. We were there on a Tuesday at 6.55 AM and found less than 5 parking spots open. By the time we finished the trail and got back to our car (around noon) , there was a long line of cars waiting for parking.
2. I am pretty fit and I would rate this trail as moderately difficult. Most of its course is shady which helps. The trail is about 1.5 miles long one way but it is pretty steep. At the end where it gets extremely rocky and steep, there is railing to hold on to.
3. Carry plenty of water because you're gonna need it! There are streams on the way but there are also signs that says that it's not drinking water.
4. We did the trail with our 4 yr old daughter. She climbed it all the way! Needed more frequent breaks, tons of encouragement and little help towards the end! But other than that we survived!!
5. There is a small trail further up from Hanging lake that leads to Waterfall. It's really a small hike but is totally worth it!!

All in all it was a success and we were very glad we did it!!

Tough hike for older or people not in the best shape but if you can do it... It is a must. Beauty at it's best, and going that extra fee steps to the spout was awesome. Worth the fee also

We truly enjoyed the hiking. Everything marked very clear: mileage, bridges. Along the trials, views are amazing: waterfalls, mountains, lake.... It is not far from Hanging lake to Sprouting Rock: only a few minutes up. Two suggestions: 1. keep 3 hrs schedule, otherwise, have to wait next available seat on bus. 2. Make reservation online early.

We tried several times to go here, but it was always full and you aren't allowed to park. Guess this time of the year is impossible to get in........ :(

This is the place you must go if you are planning to visit Glenwood Springs CO. It is tough to be there, but you will love it.

Strenuous hike to the top but stunning sight when you get there. Amazing. Get there early to the parking lot, take water and a snack to enjoy at the top.

I wanted to share this trail with my daughter. I had hiked it a few times previously. We set out from Vail and arrived around 9:15 on a Thursday morning. They closed the gate between my car and the one in front of me and were very abrupt to the point of being rude - turn around and leave, we are full. Told us to go find somewhere else to hike. When I turned off my car to get my cell phone out to find somewhere else to go, they got really ugly and threatened to call cops. I explained I wasn't from the area and needed to find somewhere else to go and they got nasty. What I learned. At this time, the guard house is only staffed between 9:30am-7:30pm on Thursday - Sunday. During those hours, they monitor and will only allow folks into the parking lot if there are spots open. Otherwise they tell you to leave. Not staffed on Monday-Wednesday so it is more of a free for all, but no one will block you from entering and driving around waiting for a parking spot.

We returned around 11:30am and there was plenty of parking. Hike is strenuous, mostly uphill. There are 7 bridges crossing a stream and they are numbered. Just after crossing the 7th bridge you have a steep climb and then climb a rock cliff with railings and then around the corner is the hanging lake. Don't miss climbing another 75 feet to the spouting rock. It is spectacular. The hanging lake is crystal clear and a beautiful aquamarine color. The trail is very heavily trafficked and will marked. Bring lots of water and pace yourself. We saw a deer taking a drink in the stream, a marmot by the spouting rock and of course, lots of chipmunks that are looking for food. Don't feed them!

Starting in 2019, they you will need to get a permit to take this hike and they will be limiting number of folks each day to only 615.

We arrived around 9 a.m. to hike to Hanging Lake. We drove in circles in the parking lot for around 40 minutes looking for a parking spot. We gave up and decided to come earlier the next morning. When we got to our hotel we explain what happened and the lady said we would have to be there at least 6 a.m. to be able to find a parking spot. So needless to say we never got to hike to Hanging Lake.

We heeded advice and got there early. Definitely a workout. I made sure my dad took plenty of breaks. I did get nervous on the last staircase, but that’s my own issue. It was pretty. Really crowded coming down. People were plenty nice.

This hike was moderate with a few areas that are more difficult. The trail is made of rock steps so easier to navigate. It's kind of like an outdoor stair stepper. The landscape makes you feel like you are in a different state other than CO.

The exit was closed and we couldn't go. We were disappointed and heard great things about it. The traffic was terrible the day that we were there but no ones fault but the falling rocks.

This is a must see if anywhere near Glenwood Canyon. Go early and stay to soak it in between crowds.

The hike was short and great for a day hike. The lake and waterfall was awesome. Great hike to take visitors who are new to Colorado hiking.

Totally worth the hike to the top. It is a somewhat difficult hike, but the view of Hanging Lake and the waterfall when you reach the top is totally worth it.

This was the second time we’ve done the hike to hanging Lake. Great hike with a great reward at the end. Hanging lake is beautiful. We rented bikes to ride through the canyon and stopped here on our ride. It can get a bit crowded and you’ll need a permit to hike it starting in 2019. It’s a must do while in Glenwood

We had a great time hiking. Total about 3 hrs roundtrip to include the breaks we took. Suggestion is to hike to the top of hanging lake first and then visit hanging lake after. It is only a few more minutes. It was so beautiful, we paid $12pp for a permit and shuttle ride.

Make sure you make reservations! You meet at the visitor center and take a 10 minute bus ride to the trail head. The bus ride was awesome and informative what was around you. It took about 2 1/2 hrs to hike up and an hr to get down. was worth the hike!

Been hiking this trail since '72. $60 dollars for a family of 5 is almost the same as a year's pass to All of America's national parks.