Hanging Lake, Colorado

Hanging Lake, located just outside of Glenwood Springs on the cliffs of Glenwood Canyon, is one of the most beautiful lakes in the United States. The lake is a magnificent deep turquoise that looks like it belongs in a tropical paradise rather than the Rocky Mountains.

To reach to this hidden gem, you'll need a permit to hike the 1.2-mile steep trail (visitors are capped per day to preserve the fragile ecosystem). The trail ultimately changes into a boardwalk, which was built to safeguard the lake bed, which was formed over millions of years by mineral deposits. Hanging Lake is not warm enough to swim, but if you want to get wet, take a short detour on the trail to Sprouting Rock, where you may cool off by standing under a waterfall. After your hike, spend the night in Glenwood Springs, a charming small town.