Hanging Lake
- Hike
- 1.2 mi each way
- Elevation gain
- 1200 ft
- Elevation
- 7,323 ft
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Required
- Dogs
- Not allowed
Hanging Lake is a waterfall in Garfield County, Colorado. Reaching it is a 1.2 mi hike each way with 1200 ft of elevation gain. Flow season is not on file yet.
Closures and warnings
USFS: no swimming or bodily contact with water at Hanging Lake; no fishing; drones prohibited. Heavy rain can close I-70 and the trail for safety. As of September 4, 2026.
The falls
| Flow note | National Natural Landmark; lake fed by Bridal Veil Falls with Spouting Rock waterfall about 200 ft above. Boardwalk around the lake. |
|---|
| Swimming allowed | No |
|---|---|
| Water clarity | Travertine turquoise lake fed by Bridal Veil Falls; Spouting Rock about 200 ft above the lake. |
Access
| Hike | 1.2 mi each way |
|---|---|
| Elevation gain | 1200 ft |
| Road | Paved |
| Road note | I-70 Exit 125 Hanging Lake rest area. Westbound I-70 travelers must exit at Glenwood Springs (Exit 116) and reverse east to Exit 125. |
| Parking | Trailhead parking included with reservation; no vehicles over 25 ft; no Uber/taxi/drop-offs; no shuttle. |
| When it fills | Arrive within 30 minutes of reservation time or entry is denied. |
| Fee | Timed reservation $12/person Apr 30-Oct 31; $10/person Nov 1-Mar 31 (includes parking). |
| Hours | Reservations available hourly 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a 3-hour hiking window; year-round, weather dependent. |
| Reservation or permit | Required |
| Reservation window | Time-specific reservation required per visitor via visitglenwood.com / hanginglaketrail.com. |
| Elevation | 7,323 ft |
| Wheelchair access | Steep, rocky, moderately strenuous; not accessible. Traction recommended when icy. |
| Managed by | USDA Forest Service (White River National Forest, Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
|---|---|
| Showers | No |
| Drinking water | No |
| Note | Restrooms at the trailhead only; none along the trail or at the lake. No potable water on site. |
Rules
| Dogs | Not allowed |
|---|---|
| Camping | Not allowed |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Hanging Lake open?
USFS: no swimming or bodily contact with water at Hanging Lake; no fishing; drones prohibited. Heavy rain can close I-70 and the trail for safety. As of September 4, 2026. Hours: Reservations available hourly 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a 3-hour hiking window; year-round, weather dependent.
Can you swim at Hanging Lake?
No, swimming is not allowed at Hanging Lake.
How long is the hike to Hanging Lake?
It's a 1.2 mi hike each way with 1200 ft of elevation gain. The road in is paved. I-70 Exit 125 Hanging Lake rest area. Westbound I-70 travelers must exit at Glenwood Springs (Exit 116) and reverse east to Exit 125. Parking: Trailhead parking included with reservation; no vehicles over 25 ft; no Uber/taxi/drop-offs; no shuttle. Arrive within 30 minutes of reservation time or entry is denied.
Do you need a reservation for Hanging Lake?
Yes. A reservation or permit is required: Time-specific reservation required per visitor via visitglenwood.com / hanginglaketrail.com.
Is there a fee at Hanging Lake?
The fee is Timed reservation $12/person Apr 30-Oct 31; $10/person Nov 1-Mar 31 (includes parking).
When is Hanging Lake flowing?
National Natural Landmark; lake fed by Bridal Veil Falls with Spouting Rock waterfall about 200 ft above. Boardwalk around the lake.
What facilities are at Hanging Lake?
Restrooms. No showers and drinking water. Restrooms at the trailhead only; none along the trail or at the lake. No potable water on site.
Nearby
Camping nearby
Public land
Hanging Lake is inside White River National Forest .
Sources
2
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/recreation/hanging-lake (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager / elevationFt 7323, access.hikeDistanceMi 1.2 one way / elevationGainFt 1200, access.fee / permitRequired / reservationWindow, access.parking / parkingPattern / roadNote, rules.dogs not_allowed / swimmerNotes.swimmingAllowed false, hazardNote / waterfall.flowNote / Spouting Rock, access.amenities restrooms trailhead only)
- https://visitglenwood.com/hanginglake/ (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.hikeDistanceMi corroboration visitglenwood)
More: Colorado waterfalls