Glenwood Canyon

Glenwood Canyon is the work of the Colorado River, which over millions of years has cut down through layer after layer of ancient rock, some of it more than a billion years old, to create the deep gorge visitors see today. The river is still doing the work, running fast and green through the bottom of the canyon, and the exposed walls read like a cross-section of deep geological time.

The result is a narrow, steep-sided canyon that leaves little room on its floor, which is exactly what made building through it such a challenge. For much of its length, the river, the old railroad grade, the recreation path, and the highway are stacked and squeezed into the same slim corridor between towering cliffs, a testament both to nature's carving and to human persistence.

The stretch of Interstate 70 through Glenwood Canyon is one of the most admired pieces of highway engineering in the United States. Completed in 1992 after years of work, it carries the interstate through the gorge largely on elevated viaducts and through tunnels, holding the road off the canyon floor and away from the river so the natural setting could be preserved as much as possible.

The project won awards for its design and its care for the environment, and it is often held up as an example of building a major road in harmony with a sensitive landscape rather than in spite of it. Driving it, you glide along cliff faces and over the river with the canyon walls rising all around, a rare case of a highway that is itself part of the scenery.

The best way to experience the canyon up close is the paved recreation path that runs along the river through much of the gorge, letting cyclists and walkers travel deep into the canyon at their own pace, right down beside the water and beneath the towering walls. It is one of the finest canyon bike paths anywhere, and it makes the scenery accessible in a way a car window cannot.

Partway up the canyon, a steep trail climbs to Hanging Lake, a small, otherworldly lake perched on a shelf, fed by waterfalls and colored an unearthly blue-green by dissolved minerals. It is one of Colorado's most treasured spots, and because it is fragile and popular, access is now managed with a reservation system to protect it. Reaching it takes a demanding hike, but the reward is unforgettable.

The canyon opens at its western end into Glenwood Springs, a resort town built around its famous hot springs, where mineral water bubbles up hot from the ground and fills large pools that have drawn visitors for well over a century. The town has long been a place to rest and soak, and it makes an ideal base for exploring the canyon.

Beyond the springs and the canyon, Glenwood Springs offers vapor caves, river rafting, a hilltop adventure park, and quick access to the Roaring Fork Valley toward Aspen. Between the hot springs, the river, the bike path, and the canyon itself, the area rewards more than a quick drive-through, which is exactly what most travelers on the interstate give it.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

Glenwood Canyon is a spectacular, deep canyon in western Colorado, carved by the Colorado River, through which Interstate 70 travels on one of the most scenic and impressively engineered stretches of highway in the country. Towering canyon walls rise dramatically above the river, and the canyon offers stunning scenery along with excellent recreation, including a paved recreation trail for biking and walking, whitewater rafting on the Colorado River, and the famous, strenuous hike to beautiful Hanging Lake. Combining breathtaking natural beauty with outdoor adventure, Glenwood Canyon near the town of Glenwood Springs is one of Colorado's most scenic and beloved canyon destinations.

You can drive the scenic Interstate 70 through the canyon with its dramatic walls, bike or walk the paved Glenwood Canyon Recreation Trail alongside the Colorado River, go whitewater rafting or kayaking on the river, hike the famous and strenuous trail to the stunning Hanging Lake, which requires a permit and reservation, fish, and take in the beautiful canyon scenery from overlooks and rest areas. The mix of scenery and recreation is wonderful. With its scenic drive, recreation trail, rafting, and the iconic Hanging Lake hike, Glenwood Canyon offers a spectacular blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure in western Colorado.

Yes, the popular hike to the beautiful Hanging Lake in Glenwood Canyon requires a permit and reservation to manage the heavy visitation and protect the fragile lake, so you must plan and reserve in advance rather than showing up, and the system and access details can change. The hike itself is short but steep and strenuous. Because the permit requirements, shuttle arrangements, and any closures can vary, checking the current Hanging Lake permit and access information before you go is essential. Planning ahead and securing a permit is the key step to experiencing this stunning natural wonder.

The Colorado River runs swift and cold, especially during spring and early summer snowmelt, so rafting should be done with proper skills or guides, and swimming in the fast river is dangerous. The Hanging Lake hike is steep and rocky with drop-offs, so wear good shoes, carry water, and use caution. On the recreation trail, watch for bikes and cyclists. Be aware of rockfall and flash-flood risk in the canyon during storms, and note the canyon highway can close for weather or incidents. Being cautious near the river, on the trails, and aware of canyon hazards keeps a visit safe.

Late spring through fall is ideal, with summer offering warm weather for biking, rafting, and hiking, though it is the busiest season, and fall bringing beautiful color to the canyon. Late spring and early summer bring high, exciting river flows for rafting. Winter can bring snow and icy conditions, and the Hanging Lake trail may be difficult or closed. For the best combination of comfortable weather and full recreation, including the recreation trail, rafting, and Hanging Lake hike, aim for late spring through fall, reserving any needed permits in advance.

Glenwood Canyon is near the town of Glenwood Springs in western Colorado, famous for its hot springs and the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, with the Colorado River, the recreation trail, and Hanging Lake within the canyon, and within reach of Aspen, the Roaring Fork Valley, and the mountains via nearby routes. That makes Glenwood Canyon a spectacular stop to combine with Glenwood Springs and its hot springs, Aspen, and the scenery and recreation of western Colorado on a visit to the state.