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Hanging Lake Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 648 Google reviews · Running trail in Glenwood Springs, Colorado · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Hanging Lake Trailhead's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Lake with vibrant green waters, cascades & sheer cliffs, accessed by steep hike or shuttle bus.
What runners say about Hanging Lake Trailhead
“The restrooms are located near the parking and they are clean.”
“The crystal-clear turquoise water, stunning waterfalls, and lush scenery make it feel like something out of a fairytale.”
Hiked on Feb 14, 2026. Gorgeous views, very steep hike. There were 3 places I'm glad I had crampons, but hiked with others who didn't wear any crampons. Highly recommend for anyone able to handle a 45 min stair-step like hike. Both the lower waterfall and upper waterfall are amazing.
This is a reservation system hike . Check out the website and reserve a slot ahead of time. This was the second time that we hiked this trail. The trails are properly maintained. They also change the wooden bridges to new ones which is great. The restrooms are located near the parking and they are clean.
The best alpine lake hike I’ve ever done! Highly recommend doing it. We absolutely loved the beauty of hanging lake. It’s gorgeous especially when the sunlight lights up the lake. When you reach a small cave sort of thing on your left as you hike, you are fairly close to the end of hike. It’s about 20 mins from there!
Beautiful lake up top and cute waterfall (sprouting rock) just a few minutes above the lake. Lots of marmots on the way to the sprouting rock. We took our time and it was about 1 hour to get up there and 35 mins to get back down. The trail is sort of like a stairmaster lol but it’s short.
Trail conditions & character
“The crystal-clear turquoise water, stunning waterfalls, and lush scenery make it feel like something out of a fairytale.”
“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.”
“The restrooms are located near the parking and they are clean.”
“Starting from welcome center, quick ticket check helped to get parking late in the day around 12.”
“Trail starts with steps and big rocky patch and then slowly elevation gain.”
Plan your run at Hanging Lake Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitevisitglenwood.com
- Phone+1 970-384-6309
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 7 am–5 pm |
| Tuesday | 7 am–5 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am–5 pm |
| Thursday | 7 am–5 pm |
| Friday | 7 am–5 pm |
| Saturday | 7 am–5 pm |
| Sunday | 7 am–5 pm |
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Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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