A Guide for the Perfect Winter Day Trip to Glenwood Canyon, Colorado

by Vessy
Glenwood Canyon as seen from Hanging Lake

Located about 160 miles west of Denver, Glenwood Canyon is a beautiful land formation withing the Colorado Rockies, and a place well worth visiting, any time of year. If you are staying in the area, it is my recommendation that you plan to spend a day in this beautiful part of the state.

Beautiful view from Hanging Late trail

The walls of Glenwood Canyon as seen from Hanging Lake Trail

The following list of tips and suggestions was geared towards visiting in the winter, but if you are there in the summer, you can stick to the same plan. In either case, be sure to bring the following:

  • Hiking gear and water for the hike to Hanging Lake
  • Swimsuit for the hot springs pools in Glenwood Springs

Start your day with a hike up to Hanging Lake right after breakfast, followed by an afternoon swim in the famous hot springs pools in Glenwood Springs. After all that excitement, enjoy a relaxing dinner in town at one of the many great restaurants.

READ ALSO
Top Things to Do in Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Hike to Hanging Lake

Plan to get to Hanging Lake early in the day. In the winter, the days are much shorter, so it’s best to give yourself as many hours of daylight as possible. The parking lot for the trail is located off of Interstate-70 East in Glenwood Canyon. There is no access from I-70 West, so if traveling west, you’ll have to swing back around via Exit 121. Once on I-70 East, take Exit 125 towards Hanging Lake.

Beginning of Hanging Lake Trail

Beginning of Hanging Lake Trail

The hike to Hanging Lake is 2.4 miles long round trip (1.2 miles one way), and usually classified asย INTERMEDIATE to DIFFICULT. I personally don’t think it is really hard, as long as you are prepared. It is a fairly steep, narrow path that weaves mostly through the forest between the walls of Glenwood Canyon. There are many rocks along the way that can get icy and slippery during the winter, however, don’t let this deter you! Hanging Lake is a National Natural Landmark, truly a place of beauty, and you’ll find that your efforts will be greatly rewarded!

Hanging Lake Trail

Hanging Lake Trail

Footbridge on Hanging Lake Trail

There are a good number of footbridges on the trail to Hanging Lake, crossing Dead Horse Creek.

Log cabin along Hanging Lake trail

Tiny log cabin along Hanging Lake Trail, a good place to rest

Handrails at the end of Hanging Lake trail

The most difficult part of Hanging Lake Trail right before the top, rails and steep rocks…and then, you are there!

What to Bring for the Hike

Here is a short list of items you should bring with you in order to have an enjoyable and safe hike to Hanging Lake:

  • Winter Hiking Bootsย (Be sure you have good ankle support and plenty of tread.)
  • Crampons for your boots (These can be very useful especially if it is icy. Their metal spikes will keep you from slipping and falling.)
  • Hiking Polesย for extra support (It is always a good idea to bring hiking poles whether you are hiking in the winter or summer. They provide extra support, and are especially useful on rocky, slippery trails.)
  • Plenty of Water to keep hydrated (Plan about 3 hours for the hike round trip.)
  • Food or Snacks for energy

Follow a few very IMPORTANT RULES while on the trail and up at the lake:

  • DO NOT bring dogs on the trail
  • DO NOT dip your hands or step in the water at Hanging Lake
  • STAY on the designated boardwalks; DO NOT step or walk on trees that have fallen in the lake
Hanging Lake, Colorado

Hanging Lake in the winter, absolutely stunning!

Hanging Lake maintains a very unique and fragile ecosystem, and even the tiniest amounts of human skin cells or oils can damage it!

Hike to Spouting Rock Falls

If you wish to continue your hike a little further past Hanging Lake, go to the nearby Spouting Rock Falls. During the summer, this short trail will take you to a beautiful waterfall pouring through an opening in a rock. In the winter however, this waterfall is often frozen.

READ ALSO
Hanging Lake Trail: How NOT to Hike it in the Winter

Drive to Glenwood Springs

When you return back from the hike to Hanging Lake, head west on I-70 towards Glenwood Springs. This is a charming town where you can plan on some shopping and a good meal. However, the most famous attraction in Glenwood Springs is the hot springs mineral pools.

Take a Dip in the Hot Pools

Taking a dip and a swim in the hot pools at Glenwood Springs is a unique experience you shouldn’t miss. I find that this is particularly enjoyable in the winter when the temperatures outside are below freezing, and the nearby hills are covered in snow. You can sit in the hot mineral water, and take in all the winter beauty while feeling comfortable, relaxed and refreshed by the crisp air.

Glenwood Springs Hot Pool

Glenwood Springs Hot Pool…Here you can see the large pool
Photo by Arina Habich

You don’t need to bring a towel, as you will get one when you buy your tickets. Once inside, you can enjoy two different pools.

  • The “smaller” pool, also known as the therapy pool, is the hotter of the two, and is kept at about 104ยฐF. It is a large pool with a length of 100 feet, and width of 40 feet.
  • The “larger” pool is cooler with water temperature around 90ยฐF, which is still quite warm. Its size is truly enormous at 100 feet wide, and 405 feet long. In this pool, you’ll also find a diving area and lap lanes at one end.

Note:ย Theย Kiddie Pool and the two water slides are closed during the winter season.

Have a Relaxing Dinner in Town

If you wish, and if you have the time, you may really enjoy having dinner in town. There is an array of highly rated restaurants that offer a variety of specialties. One restaurant that we have tried, and liked quite well was the Italian Underground Restaurant, located right on Grand Avenue in town, not too far from the hot pools.

Additional Resources to Help Plan Your Day to Glenwood Canyon


Note:ย Unless otherwise indicated, all pictures in this post were taken by me, Vessy, with my Nikon D3100 camera. I always shoot on Manual Mode, and the only edits I do at times are: cropping, increasing the saturation, and sharpening the images if needed.


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52 comments

Laura Belle 01/04/2018 -

That looks like a beautiful place.

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Vessy 01/07/2018 -

Thanks for stopping by! It truly is a wonderful part of the state! ๐Ÿ™‚

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Allyson Spieler 01/04/2018 -

Wow!! This is just absolutely amazing! I’ll take a dip in those hot pools please!

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Vessy 01/07/2018 -

The pools are so amazing, especially in the winter! ๐Ÿ™‚

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Verla 01/04/2018 -

I second the comment above…magnificent photos, clear direction, professional post in every way.

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Vessy 01/07/2018 -

Thank you so much for stopping by! I really appreciate your nice comment! ๐Ÿ™‚

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Amie Lara 01/04/2018 -

These are gorgeous photos. Thanks for sharing!

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Vessy 01/07/2018 -

Thank you so much! It is my pleasure! ๐Ÿ™‚

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ElizabethMillerSliwa 01/04/2018 -

I was last in Colorado three years ago while visiting my brother who was stationed there in the Air Force. What an incredibly beautiful state. Your pictures are amazing. The mountains are my kind of adventure.

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Vessy 01/07/2018 -

Thanks so much! If you love the mountains, you would enjoy exploring Colorado over and over again. There is so much to see and do! ๐Ÿ™‚

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Kristen 01/04/2018 -

Wow that scenery is stunning! Thanks for all the great info.

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Vessy 01/07/2018 -

Thanks for stopping by! It is beautiful anytime of the year! ๐Ÿ™‚

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Noelle Hartt | Freelance Copywriter and Blogger 01/04/2018 -

Your photos are gorgeous! I’d travel to Colorado JUST to get pictures like those! ๐Ÿ™‚

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Vessy 01/07/2018 -

Thank you so much! I hope you go! You will find a lot of picturesque places to take plenty of amazing photos! ๐Ÿ™‚

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Heidi 01/05/2018 -

Colorado can be so magical in the winter! ๐Ÿ™‚

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Vessy 01/07/2018 -

Totally! …And if you ski or snowboard, you can see all this winter beauty from the very top! It is incredible! ๐Ÿ™‚

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Christy 01/04/2018 -

Thank you for the virtual trip! I’ll enjoy it from the warm winter weather in CA ; ) This kind of snow is more than I’ve experienced!

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Vessy 01/07/2018 -

Yes! There can be a lot of snow up there, I know! It is however so clean and pure…not like the snow in the city! I used to live in Chicago, and couldn’t take the winters there…so cold and dirty! I moved to warm Texas…but still enjoy the beauty of the mountains in the winter! ๐Ÿ™‚

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Deanna 01/05/2018 -

Glenwood Canyon looks beautiful! Such a wonderful part of the country I would love to explore. The pictures are lovely.

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Vessy 01/07/2018 -

This whole area is so wonderful. You could start in Frisco, CO (a beautiful mountain town), and make your way through the canyon, Hanging Lake, and Glenwood Springs. You could stay a night at Glenwood Springs, and continue on towards famous Aspen, which is gorgeous! ๐Ÿ™‚

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Anitra 01/05/2018 -

This looks like a postcard setting! Beautiful!

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Vessy 01/07/2018 -

Thanks so much! Colorado is always amazing! ๐Ÿ™‚

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Clay and Hannah 01/05/2018 -

Pictures of the lake were beautiful!!!!! We have been trying to plan a trip to Colorado so this was awesome to read and get ideas for places to see!

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Vessy 01/07/2018 -

I highly recommend this area! As I mentioned in one of the previous comments, you could start in the cozy town of Frisco, CO, go to Hanging Lake and Glenwood Springs, and the following day, continue onto Aspen, CO. It is gorgeous! ๐Ÿ™‚

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Melissa 01/05/2018 -

I’ve never been to Colorado, but need to go. The pics look beautiful!

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Vessy 01/07/2018 -

You would truly enjoy it! There is so much to do in Colorado throughout the entire year…from skiing and snowboarding, to hiking and sightseeing…shopping and fine dining…It is all there! ๐Ÿ™‚

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g 01/05/2018 -

Such a beautiful place – Love hanging lake. It’s awe-inspiring

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Vessy 01/07/2018 -

I love it, too! I hear that it is extremely crowded in the summer. I read somewhere it is one of the most popular hikes in Colorado. In the summer, you have to be in the parking lot by 7:00 am if you want a parking spot! In the winter, we didn’t have this problem, and it was still an amazingly beautiful hike! ๐Ÿ™‚

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Jennifer 01/05/2018 -

Your pictures are simply stunning. Looks like a fantastic getaway. Thanks for sharing

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Vessy 01/07/2018 -

Thanks so much! I hope you visit sometime! You would LOVE it! The pools are a lot of fun with kids, too! ๐Ÿ™‚

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Melina 01/05/2018 -

Gorgeous location and stunning pictures! Great guide!

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Vessy 01/07/2018 -

Thank you so much! It was a wonderful day! ๐Ÿ™‚

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Kesha 01/06/2018 -

That place is absolutely stunning! Your images are amazing! I’ve only been to Colorado once for work and I didn’t get to tour. This makes we want to go back to see the beautiful sites.

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Vessy 01/07/2018 -

Oh, Kesha…you would truly enjoy it! There is something for everyone in Colorado! Whether you LOVE skiing, snowboarding, hiking, shopping…or just relaxing, you will find it there! ๐Ÿ™‚

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Karen 01/05/2018 -

Wow! This place looks amazing. Beautiful photos!

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Vessy 01/07/2018 -

Thanks so much! It truly is a beautiful part of the state, and it is on the way to famous Aspen, which is stunning! ๐Ÿ™‚

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shanna 01/05/2018 -

oh that looks lovely! Colorado is definitely on my list!

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Vessy 01/07/2018 -

You would LOVE it! ๐Ÿ™‚

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Nicolette 01/05/2018 -

I just love the look of snow on the trees in Colorado. We drove to Aspen once (from California) and went right past Glenwood Springs…both ways. Maybe some day we’ll get to go back that way & stop for a day!

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Vessy 01/07/2018 -

Yesss! I love the look of snow as well…and boy, Aspen is gorgeous, no question! Definitely take a dip in the Glenwood Springs hot pools next time you are in the area! They are amazing, especially in the winter! ๐Ÿ™‚

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Maggie 01/06/2018 -

I will definitely refer to this post next time I’m in Colorado. So beautiful!

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Vessy 01/07/2018 -

Great! It was one of my favorite days in Colorado…it combines a little bit of everything! There is hiking to get your heart pumping, stunning sights and scenery, relaxation in mineral pools after the workout, and delicious dinner at the end! I think you would really enjoy it as we did! ๐Ÿ™‚

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Dee 01/06/2018 -

Wow it looks like a winter wonderland! I love Colorado so maybe I’ll make it there one day.

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Vessy 01/07/2018 -

Summer or winter, fall or spring, Colorado is always a GREAT choice! The hot pools are particularly amazing during the winter, though! The mountains all around are covered in snow, the temperatures are in the teens, and you are relaxing in the hot, mineral water! ๐Ÿ™‚

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Monica 01/07/2018 -

Colorado looks absolutely breathtaking. This is a trip my husband and I would love. Hiking and relaxing outdoors, and of course some delicious food.

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Vessy 01/07/2018 -

I recommend it highly! After you enjoy the amazing Hanging Lake and the canyon, you would LOVE relaxing in the hot pools of Glenwood Springs! ๐Ÿ™‚

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Dawnmarie 01/09/2018 -

I could drop my jaw at how much this fascinates me. The snowy pictures are eye-catching. The hot pools are luring. The idea of this place seems like a vacation that needs to be taken. Thank you for sharing about it.

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Vessy 01/09/2018 -

I am so happy to hear it! I highly recommend it! This day is one of my most favorite memories from Colorado, and I have many lovely memories from this beautiful state! ๐Ÿ˜Šโค๏ธ๐Ÿ˜Š

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Lisa 01/13/2018 -

Wow! That looks so beautiful! I can definitely imagine some cold toes after hiking in the snow. But the hot springs sound amazing!

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Vessy 01/14/2018 -

Definitely! The hot springs are the perfect ending to a day of any snow activity! โค๏ธโ„๏ธ๐Ÿ˜Š

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Nicole 01/17/2018 -

I live in Colorado and see the beautiful Summer pictures of hanging lake, but I’ve never seen them frozen and I LOVE IT! I’ve never actually thought of doing that hike in the winter.

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Vessy 01/17/2018 -

Yes! It was absolutely gorgeous in the winter, and there were only a few people. If you are prepared well with crampons, hiking poles, and water, you would love the hike…so beautiful and peaceful! โ„๏ธ๐Ÿ’™โ„๏ธ๐Ÿ˜Š

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