Colorado Local’s Guide to the Best Glenwood Springs Hikes (Includes Map!)
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These Glenwood Springs hikes will take you through the beautiful canyons and mountains in the area and past plenty of streams and creeks.
Glenwood Springs in Colorado might be best known for its abundance of natural hot springs, but did you know that there are also plenty of beautiful hikes to explore?
Most of the hikes are also dog-friendly, but be sure to double-check before you bring your furry friends!
Here’s a list of 10 great hikes in Glenwood Springs. The challenging ones just make soaking in the hot springs even more of a treat! I hope you find this list helpful as you plan your trip to Glenwood Springs.
#1 Best Trail in Glenwood Springs
If you have time for just one hike in Glenwood Springs, don’t miss out on the Hanging Lake Trail. This 3-mile challenging trail leads to a breathtaking waterfall. Reservations are needed.
At a Glance: Best Glenwood Springs Trails
While this post goes into detail about each specific hike in Glenwood Springs that we recommend, you can check out all the trails at a glance here.
| Hike | Length & Difficulty |
|---|---|
| Hanging Lake Trail | 3 miles roundtrip, challenging |
| Doc Holliday Grave Trail | Less than a mile roundtrip, easy |
| Wulfsohn Trail | 4 miles roundtrip, easy |
| Glenwood Canyon Recreation Trail | 15 miles point to point, easy |
| Rio Grande Trail | 42 miles point to point, easy |
| Glenwood Springs Scout Trail | 6 miles roundtrip, moderate |
| Grizzly Creek Trail | 8 miles roundtrip, moderate |
| Jess Weaver Trail | 9 miles roundtrip, moderate |
| Storm King Mountain Memorial Trail | 3.5 miles roundtrip, challenging |
| Red Mountain Trail/Jeanne Golay Trail | 7 miles roundtrip, challenging |
Glenwood Springs Hikes
Hanging Lake Trail
🥾 3 miles roundtrip, challenging
Hanging Lake Trail is a beautiful but challenging hike that ends at the sublime Hanging Lake. I’ve done the trail before (as a day trip from Denver, which is possible, but it’s LOTS of driving), and it’s one of my favorite Colorado hikes.
The hike is only 3 miles roundtrip, but on the way there, you’ll be climbing uphill continuously. Some parts of the path are rocky, so wear appropriate shoes and bring hiking poles if you have to!
If you hike this trail, be careful where you step, but don’t forget to look up! You’ll pass by several waterfalls and a stunning lookout point with spectacular views of the canyon.
Your reward for making it through this hike is the beautiful scenery at Hanging Lake, which is surrounded by greenery and fed by several small waterfalls.
You don’t have to be a pro hiker to get to Hanging Lake, but you’ll want to be in good shape. I encourage everyone who’s capable to try this hike—you’ll see why it’s one of my favorite waterfall hikes near Glenwood Springs!
A reservation is needed to do this trail. Click here to learn more.
Doc Holliday Grave Trail
🥾 Less than a mile roundtrip, easy
The Doc Holliday Grave Trail is the shortest hike on this list, at less than a mile roundtrip. It starts right in town and takes you to Linwood cemetery, where supposedly, John Henry “Doc” Holliday, the local outlaw of Glenwood Springs, is buried.
If you’re particularly interested in Western history, you’ll find this hike interesting!
Along the way, you’ll get a glimpse of Glenwood Springs from above and the mountains in the background.
Though it’s mostly an uphill climb to get to the cemetery, I’d consider this one of the easy hikes in Glenwood Springs that’s doable by most people!
If you’re spending a day in town and want a quick getaway into nature, definitely check out this trail.
Before hiking, make sure you have these essentials:
🎒 Hiking backpack: Here’s the one I use & love!
💧 Water bladder: This is the water bladder I recommend!
💦 Water bottle: I love and use the Hydroflask 32 oz!
🥾 Hiking boots: These are the hiking boots I use!
🩹 First aid kit: This is a great first aid kit for your backpack!
🥨 Snacks: Clif Bars are my go-to on the trail!
🌲 Hiking poles: These hiking poles are a great option!
❄️ Microspikes: These are the ones I use when the trails are icy!
☀️ Sunscreen: This is a great hiking sunscreen!
Wulfsohn Trail
🥾 4 miles roundtrip, easy
The trailhead for Wulfsohn Trail is close to town, making this hike super accessible for those visiting Glenwood Springs. It’s an easy hike, and the trail itself is well-maintained.
This trail is located close to the highway, so you may not necessarily feel like you’re deep in nature, but it’s still a great short getaway for those looking to squeeze a hike into their itinerary.
Wulfsohn Trail is tucked at the base of Red Mountain, so you’ll find great views of the rust-colored mountainsides on your hike. The trail is lush with foliage—wildflowers bloom in some seasons, too!
Overall, this is a great trail if you’re looking to get some fresh air and don’t want to travel too far out of town. It’s suitable for people of all physical ability levels!
FREE TRAVEL QUIZ
Glenwood Canyon Recreation Trail
🥾 15 miles point to point, easy
The Glenwood Canyon Recreation Trail is a paved trail that follows the Colorado River from Glenwood Springs to Dotsero, a nearby town to the east.
The scenery alongside the river is really beautiful, and because the trail is paved, it’s used by everyone from casual strollers to joggers to bikers. People of all ability levels will be able to experience this trail.
The path includes restrooms, many areas to rest and picnic, and fishing sites. You might also see some wildlife along the canyon and some people river rafting!
Whether you’re looking to have some leisurely fun with your family or want a faster, albeit more predictable, hiking experience, the Glenwood Canyon Recreation Trail has something for everyone!
Rio Grande Trail
🥾 42 miles point to point, easy
The Rio Grande Trail runs all the way from Glenwood Springs to Aspen, 42 miles southeast of Glenwood Springs. The trail is paved and is a great option for families, joggers, dog walkers, bikers, or really anyone looking to take a stroll out of town.
Don’t let the length of the trail scare you! What’s great about this trail is the options that it offers.
You can take a bus to Aspen and bike all the way back to Glenwood Springs, walk from Glenwood Springs to Carbondale, or come up with any variation of transportation along this hike.
Most people just do a little part of it, so don’t worry; you won’t have to do all 42 miles.
There are great stopping points along the way for you to take breaks and take in the scenery of the mountains and rivers.
Glenwood Springs Scout Trail
🥾 6 miles roundtrip, moderate
The Glenwood Springs Scout Trail is a fun trail that takes hikers up to the rim of Glenwood Canyon. Generally considered a moderately difficult hike, this trail is recommended for those who are prepared to slip and slide a bit.
The Scout Trail is also popular with mountain bikers who enjoy the fast descent down the canyon, so just know that you might be sharing the road!
Once you reach the top of the trail, I would actually suggest turning around and hiking the same way back down. The second half of the loop is very rocky and definitely made more for bikers than hikers.
The Scout Trail is one of the more exposed Glenwood Springs hikes, so come prepared with sunscreen and hydration!
Grizzly Creek Trail
🥾 8 miles roundtrip, moderate
One of the more popular Glenwood Springs hikes is the Grizzly Creek Trail, which runs along the flowing Grizzly Creek and the high cliff sides of Glenwood Canyon.
What makes this hike a must-do is the beautiful views of the creek, surrounded by lush forest and canyon walls.
Grizzly Creek Trail is a moderately challenging 8-mile roundtrip hike. The first two miles are relatively easygoing; then you’ll start to encounter some elevation gain.
This hike is suitable for folks who have no problem getting some light cardio in and climbing over large rocks here or there.
Grizzly Creek Trail ends in more of a turnaround point than a viewpoint, so if you decide to head back in the middle of the hike, know that you’re not missing out on too much!
Jess Weaver Trail
🥾 9 miles roundtrip, moderate
If you’re not as much of a hot springs-goer and more interested in properly hiking Glenwood Springs, I’d highly recommend hiking the Jess Weaver Trail.
There are two main landmarks along this trail, the first being a bridge that’s 3 miles in and the second being a bridge that’s around 5 miles in.
At roughly the same level of difficulty as the Grizzly Creek trail, with views that are just as gorgeous, Jess Weaver Trail is a good alternative if you’re looking to start a bit closer to town.
Jess Weaver Trail follows No Name Creek, so you’ll be hiking against the backdrop of the flowing water all the way through. This trail involves some elevation gain as well, though the gorgeous views of the tree-dotted canyon make the climb worth it!
Storm King Mountain Memorial Trail
🥾 3.5 miles roundtrip, challenging
Storm King Mountain Memorial Trail is a tribute to 14 firefighters who were trapped and killed while fighting a fire on Storm King Mountain during the severe wildland fires of 1994.
There is a memorial at the end of the hike where you can leave a tribute, as well as several placards along the trail that provide information about the fires.
The trail is about 3.5 miles roundtrip, and it’s a challenging one. The beginning of the hike is on a shaded incline, but once you reach the first ridge, the path levels out and becomes exposed to the sun.
Definitely make sure to bring sun protection and hydration!
The scenery on this trail is beautiful, especially on a day with blue skies and puffy white clouds. If you’re hiking Glenwood Springs, definitely don’t miss this one.
Red Mountain Trail/Jeanne Golay Trail
🥾 7 miles roundtrip, challenging
The Red Mountain Trail is one of the more challenging Glenwood Springs hikes. This trail takes you up Red Mountain, which is on the west side of Glenwood Springs.
It involves a pretty steep incline and plenty of switchbacks over 7 miles roundtrip, so it’s definitely not for the faint of heart! If you’re a trail runner or a mountain biker, I would highly recommend this trail system.
There are actually several trail options in this area, so be sure to keep track of which ones you want to take, as they often overlap. Regardless of which ones you take, the views from the top of the mountain are gorgeous!
In the fall season, the changing colors of the foliage make this hike especially spectacular.
Map of Glenwood Springs Hiking Trails
Want to see an overview of all the trails on a map? You’ll find this helpful!
Frequently Asked Questions: Glenwood Springs Hiking
The hike to Hanging Lake takes between 2-3 hours.
Yes, reservations are required in order to hike to Hanging Lake in Colorado. Make them at least a month in advance.
Swimming in Hanging Lake Colorado is prohibited.
Final Thoughts: Glenwood Springs Hikes
It should be clear by now that Glenwood Springs has more to offer than just hot springs!
Glenwood Springs hikes are great excursions to experience, whether you’re looking for a casual walk or an intense hike. This town is a hidden gem in Colorado, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Watch our vlog about our first day of our southwest road trip when we visited Aspen, Breckenridge, Vail, Glenwood Springs, & Maroon Bells!
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