The 12 Most Beautiful Lakes In The United States

This turquoise gem is situated in Glenwood Canyon, roughly seven miles east of popular Glenwood Springs.  More specifically, this waterfall-fed lake is located along the very edge of noteworthy Glenwood Canyon Cliffs.  It’s the big payoff at the end of one of the state’s most well-known hikes (which currently requires a permit).  The 1.2-mile trail is both steep and rocky but eventually leads to a newer boardwalk that was built to protect the now-fragile lake ecosystem and travertine bed, created over the millennia by various mineral deposits.  Swimming in the lake itself is not permitted but a brief detour off the trail will take you to popular Spouting Rock, where a waterfall is available to cool any and all hot, sweaty hikers.

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