This Otherworldly Colorado Lake Boasts Emerald Green Waters With Unmatched Canyon Views

The consensus among online reviewers is that the short hike to Hanging Lake is strenuous and crowded — and totally worth it on both scores. The diminutive, perfect lake appears to hang from the cradling travertine cliffs surrounding it. The water is so green that it looks as if someone dyed it as a lark, but it's all the handiwork of Mother Nature. And she's having a field day. "One of the most gorgeous places in the whole world," one Tripadvisor visitor writes. "Absolutely stunning."

After damage from a post-fire debris flow a few years ago, the trail was extensively renovated, with work (and occasional closures) continuing into 2024, and a strict permit system has been instituted to radically reduce crowding. You'll now need to buy a permit online in advance and take a shuttle from the Visitor Center in nearby Glenwood. But consider it part of the ritual, the toll you pay for witnessing one of nature's wonders in a state that's full of them.

The route travels up, up, up, and away, gaining over 1,200 feet in just 1.38 miles from the Colorado River to the lake. Since you're already starting at 6,000 feet, this is not an easy hike for anyone who doesn't already live at altitude. You aren't roughing it, though: The well-developed trail is dotted with benches for catching your breath or taking a break for some canoodling, as this is quite possibly the most romantic hiking spot in the state. As it climbs, you'll encounter several new bridges criss-crossing Dead Horse Creek, sets of rough-hewn stone steps, sections of boardwalk, and deep, dramatic canyon vistas from viewpoints with railings.

Arriving at the lake, you're greeted with a unique geological sight, as a semi-circle of waterfalls gush straight out of the granite cliff faces like fountain jets, foaming the edges of the round lake's perfect, gimlet-green surface. It really does look like a little jewel. You aren't allowed to swim here, but a short additional hike continuing on 200 feet will take you to Spouting Rock falls, which you can walk behind, or even stand directly under if it's a hot day and you want to cool off. 

The lake, where swimming is not allowed specifically to preserve the fragile ecosystem, is bisected by a mossy, fallen log sprouting with grasses, and a polite sign reading "Please keep off the log." But in the past, those exhortations have proven too little to deter snap-happy Instagrammers, to their ultimate detriment.

A visit to Hanging Lake demands a good deal of environmental awareness and a willingness to be a conscientious steward, even at the expense of that perfect instagram shot. Early in the pandemic when visitation soared, as did poor visitor behavior, the United States Forest Service decided to make an example out of one particular knucklehead who trod right past a sign reading "please keep off the log" and snapped a pic of himself ... yep, standing on the log. The purported purpose of the stunt? Promoting his clothing line on Insta. Federal charges ensued. A Brazilian activewear brand did the same by sharing photos of people in their clothing posing on the log, and the company was fined. Another man who spray painted graffiti on the rocks along the trail was given jail time. So be a good outdoor citizen and follow "leave no trace" principles lest you contribute to your favorite iconic trails being closed permanently.

Fall is a perfect time to visit Hanging Lake, as crowds have lessened and on a weekday you might even experience some contemplative solitude. And as an added bonus, it's also the best time of year for a visit to nearby Glenwood Hot Springs, to give your hike-sore quads a restorative soak in the world's largest hot springs pool.