White River National Forest · Colorado

Hanging Lake

1.5 mi of trail, end to end · native material surface · trail No. 1850 · trail class 4 · typical grade trail_grade · tread 36-48 inches wide · hiking · seasonal: hiking 05/21-11/22

Trailhead Hanging Lake TH #1850 Drive there

Hanging Lake TH #1850 the Forest Service's write-up

<a href="http://www.visitglenwood.com/hanginglake">Permits</a>: $12/person (May 1 &ndash; October 31), $10/person (November 1- April 30). &nbsp; · reservation required · season Year-round - weather dependent. to

Anticipated reopening: July 1, 2025

The Hanging Lake Trail is closed for public safety . Crews will resume construction of bridges and a boardwalk when spring weather allows.

Hanging Lake

In 2021, severe debris flows damaged the Hanging Lake Trail. Reconstruction and repair of the trail began May 1, 2024. Access to Hanging Lake will be limited while this work is in progress.

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Hanging Lake, a National Natural Landmark , was formed by a geologic fault which caused the lake bed to drop away from the valley floor above. Water flows into the lake over Bridal Veil Falls. The lake edge is built up from dissolved carbonates which are deposited on the shore as the water flows over.

The travertine lake is extremely sensitive. Please avoid contact with the water and respect regulations.

The trail to Hanging Lake is a steep and rocky, climbing 1000 feet in 1.2 miles.

Wear sturdy shoes with good tread, and take extra precautions in the winter.

Bring water: potable water is not available at the lake or along the trail.

There is no mobile phone coverage

The trail follows multiple switchbacks up steep terrain, ending on a boardwalk around the lake. Several places are available to rest along the way.

Restrictions <strong>In order to protect this special place:</strong> <ul><li><strong>No dogs. </strong></li><li><strong>No fishing. </strong></li><li><strong>No swimming or bodily contact with water at Hanging Lake.</strong></li><li><strong>Parking</strong> at Hanging Lake parking area is only allowed&nbsp;Nov. 1-April 30 with a reservation. Parking is NOT allowed along entrance or exit ramps of I-70 at any time<strong>.</strong></li><li><strong>Drones&nbsp;are PROHIBITED.</strong></li></ul>

This hike on fs.usda.gov

Every trail in White River National Forest

All 729 trails in White River National ForestFind a trailForest on fs.usda.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the US Forest Service's National Forest System trails layer (public domain), read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end, and the class, surface, grade and tread width are the forest's own entries where it publishes them - a forest that publishes the centreline alone has none. The trailheads and the points along the way are the Service's recreation points, and the write-ups its own recarea text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the forest's own site before you go.