







Here’s the deal…
Your Hanging Lake adventure starts with knowing the rules! Hanging Lake is a National Natural Landmark. It’s beautiful, but you already knew that. So, here’s what you need to know:
Stay Out of the Water!
Please don’t swim, touch, or dip a camera in the water! Body oils in the water stop the travertine deposition. There’s a log in the water too, please keep off the log!
No Fishing!
Although trout are visible in the lake, fishing is not allowed!
No Dogs!
Due to the sensitivity of the ecosystem and the volume of hikers, dogs are not allowed!
No Littering!
If you bring something with you, bring it back. There aren’t any trash cans along the trail. Pack it in, pack it out!
No Cutting Switchbacks!
A switchback is when the trail cuts sharply back and forth, these help accommodate the rise in elevation for the hiker. You could run steeply off the trail straight up, but shortcutting switchbacks promotes erosion. Not good!
No Feeding the Animals!
We know, they are so cute. The problem is it is unhealthy for the animals to eat human food and they can bite!
These rules are in place to protect and preserve Hanging Lake not just for our generation, but for future generations as well. And if you aren’t going to follow the rules because it’s the right thing to do, follow the rules because it could cost you. Violations at Hanging Lake are punishable via United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service 36CFR261.50(a)&(b) with fines up to $5,000.

So we’re good. Let’s hike!
Parking

Remember, the Hanging Lake Trail can be accessed via the Glenwood Canyon Trail, also called the Glenwood Canyon recreation path, and Glenwood Canyon bike path. Whatever you want to call it, the trail is a paved path through the entire canyon, from Glenwood Springs all the way to Dotsero. If you’re concerned about parking and want to avoid the hassle of the Hanging Lake Rest Area, Hanging Lake visitors should consider walking or riding their bike from the Grizzly Creek Rest Area (about 4 1/2 miles to the trailhead) or Blair Ranch Rest Area (about 3 miles to the trailhead).
Hiking

The Hanging Lake Trail is a 1.2 mile rocky, difficult uphill climb that gains nearly 1,000 feet. The trail begins around 6,350 feet at the bottom of Glenwood Canyon and ends around 7,320 feet after winding up through Dead Horse Creek Canyon as you cross seven bridges and end with a steep hand rail staircase climb to the lake. Hanging Lake is what you came for, but don’t miss the beautiful source of the water, Spouting Rock, a short hike above Hanging lake.
Hanging Lake

Obviously, Hanging Lake is remarkable. But, there are hundreds of other amazing hiking trails around Glenwood Canyon and the Roaring Fork Valley. You just need to know where to go to find hiking trails, we’ve got you covered.