Hanging Lake in Glenwood Springs. Photo: Courtesy of National Forest Foundation
The U.S. Forest Service joined state and local partners last week for a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the completion of the Hanging Lake Trail restoration.
State of play: The $4.9 million project reopened access to the iconic outdoor destination after damage from the 2020 Grizzly Creek Fire as well as debris and flooding in 2021.
Restoration started in April 2024. Seven bridges were replaced, and more than 1,000 hand-built stone steps were constructed. The lake now features a new boardwalk and expanded trailhead.
By the numbers: Before it closed, the lake drew over 72,000 annual visitors, generating $4.6 million in annual economic impact, per a release from the National Forest Foundation.
Partners behind the project included the U.S. Forest Service, National Forest Foundation, City of Glenwood Springs and Colorado Lottery, whose proceeds provided roughly 50% of the funding.
