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Mount Blue Sky Road, Front Range, Colorado
Photo: Boilerinbtown · CC BY-SA 3.0 · cropped

Drives Colorado Denver, Boulder and the Front Range

Mount Blue Sky Road

CO 5 · Echo Lake → Mount Blue Sky summit

Intense14.3 mi45 min3,700 ft climbHigh point ≈ 14,100 ftOne way
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The drive

Mount Blue Sky Road, CO 5, climbs from Echo Lake to the 14,130-foot summit of Mount Blue Sky, which many still call Mount Evans. It is the highest paved road in North America. Past the treeline the road switchbacks up the mountain, passing Summit Lake at 12,836 feet, and in places has no guardrails.

Mountain goats are common near the Summit Lake parking area, along with bighorn sheep and marmots. The road is narrow and shared with cyclists.

It is a seasonal road. The summit usually opens in late May and closes with the first hard storms. Repairs near Summit Lake have closed it for long stretches before, so check Recreation.gov before you go.

Along the way

  1. Echo Lake
  2. Summit Lake
  3. Mount Blue Sky summit
Elevation
3,700 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 14,100 ft
Echo LakeMount Blue Sky summit
Curves
Mostly moderate, with two twisty stretches
Echo LakeMount Blue Sky summit
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • When it's open, a timed-entry ticket from Recreation.gov is required, at about $20 per vehicle, booked ahead. Federal passes such as America the Beautiful are not accepted.
  • There is no cell service in the area, including at the welcome station, so download or print your ticket first.

Open to the summit from about Memorial Day to Labor Day; closed by snow in winter. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Recreation.gov: Mount Blue Sky timed entry.

Questions about this drive

Is Mount Blue Sky Road open?

Usually from late May until the first hard storms, but it can close for repairs or weather. Check Recreation.gov for the current status before you go.

Do you need a reservation for Mount Blue Sky Road?

Yes, when the road is open. A timed-entry ticket is required, sold on Recreation.gov, with 75 percent released 30 days ahead and 25 percent two days ahead.

How long does Mount Blue Sky Road take to drive?

Echo Lake to the summit is 14 miles and takes about 45 min, without stops.

How high is Mount Blue Sky Road?

The road climbs to about 14,100 feet at the summit of Mount Blue Sky, the highest paved road in North America.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
Drive it with no signalAPEXDownload the map and every turn before you go.
Live Group TrackingAPEXEveryone on the route, on the map, by name.
Road conditionsAPEXWet or dry, ice, fog and wind along the road before you go.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Mount Blue Sky Road, from Echo Lake to Mount Blue Sky summit