Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway
Mount Blue Sky (Mount Evans)
Formerly known as Mount Evans, this is one of the highest paved roads in North America, reaching a summit over 4,300 meters high, where you can see mountain goats and alpine lakes.
Mount Blue Sky rises to about 4,348 meters and was renamed from Mount Evans in 2023. The scenic road winds up from Idaho Springs past Echo Lake, passing the alpine lake Summit Lake and ancient bristlecone pine forests. You often see mountain goats and bighorn sheep. Entry requires a timed-entry ticket booked through the official platform. The road is open only briefly in summer, and in recent years sections of the upper road have been closed for construction, so check the latest road conditions with the U.S. Forest Service before setting out. It is about 1.5 hours’ drive from downtown. The air is thin at the summit, so watch for altitude sickness and afternoon thunderstorms.
Opening hours
Approx. late June–early Sep (per forest service announcements)
Nearby sights
- Georgetown Loop Railroad
- Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave
- Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre
- Coors Brewery & Downtown Golden
- Dinosaur Ridge
- Chautauqua Park & Flatirons
- Pearl Street Mall
- Meow Wolf Convergence Station