Gorge & Falls · Colorado

Hanging Lake

A turquoise travertine lake fed by waterfalls

TypeGorge & Falls
StateColorado
Best seasonLate spring–fall (icy and dangerous in winter)
How to visitPermit/reservation required; steep ~1.2-mi climb; no swimming or dogs

A surreal aquamarine lake perched on a travertine shelf in Glenwood Canyon, fed by waterfalls spilling over mossy ledges. So fragile it now runs on a strict permit system — and so beautiful it’s worth every step of the steep climb up.

The shot

The waterfalls feeding the impossibly blue lake.

Nearby & worth pairing

  • Glenwood Canyon
  • Glenwood Springs
  • Spouting Rock
  • Colorado River bike path

Access, fees, permits, and tour availability change with the season and the managing agency (tribal park, state park, BLM, or NPS) — confirm current rules and reservations before you go, tread lightly on sacred and fragile sites, and pack out everything you bring.

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