Permit reservations to visit Hanging Lake during the 2020 shuttle season go on sale Saturday, Feb. 1. This year’s shuttle season is May 1 through Oct. 31, the same schedule as 2019.
In 2019, the White River National Forest implemented the Hanging Lake Visitor Use Management Plan by using the shuttle service to protect natural resources, help manage congestion and enhance visitor safety.
“The partnership between the City of Glenwood Springs and Forest Service has produced benefits for the public far beyond what either of us could do individually,” Forest Supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams said in a press release. “We look forward to continuing the partnership into the future.
Last year, there were 2,188 shuttles that transported 75,102 hikers to Hanging Lake. Officials say visitors experienced less crowding on the trails. There was also a decrease in emergency service calls to the area from 38 visits in 2018 to three in 2019.
Anyone who visits Hanging Lake, shuttle or not, must still have a permit. During shuttle season, permits are $12.