Driving Up Mount Blue Sky and the Incredible Stops
Mount Blue Sky, formerly named Mount Evans, is a beautiful mountain peak in Colorado that rises above 14,000 feet. And luckily, for those that don’t want an all day hiking trek, you can drive up Mount Blue Sky with kids (who probably wouldn’t want to hike up!)
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The scenic byway to Mount Evans (now Mount Blue Sky) is more than just views (though there are tons of those.) You’ll get to experience nature centers, lakes, goats, and more. There is not really a visitor center, but you can browse a small exhibit center on the way up.
Is there a difference between Mount Blue Sky and Pikes Peak? They are similar in theory. Both are over 14,000 feet, though Pikes Peak is down near Colorado Springs while Mount Blue sky is to the west of Denver. Both are drivable and both have great views.
Buckle up and get ready for an epic drive up to one of the most beautiful spots in Colorado. Here’s everything you need to know about driving up Mount Blue Sky and what to see!
Note that the entire Mount Blue Sky Highway will be closed starting in early September 2024 and through ALL of 2025 for construction. Road closures are all-inclusive to cars, bikes, or hikers/walkers.
It is expected to reopen for summer of 2026.
About Mount Blue Sky
Mount Blue Sky is the highest paved road in North America. It’ll take you among all the surrounding mountains in a beautiful panorama of peaks.
The elevation at the top of Mount Blue Sky is 14,265 feet. This is no joke, and you’ll ascend quickly by car (as opposed to hiking). Elevation sickness is a real thing, so make sure to stay hydrated, adjust slowly to the altitude, and get to lower ground if you feel sick or faint.
As some who has hiked in the mountains of Colorado for decades, I never got altitude sickness…until recently. It can happen to anyone. Listen to your body!
*If you have health conditions, you should talk to your doctor before making this ascent.
Mount Blue Sky is not a national park. It is run by the US Forest Service.
Why the name Change?
For a long time previously, the landmark was called Mount Evans. This was named after a former Colorado governor who was responsible for the Sand Creek Massacre, the surprise attack on the Arapahoe and southern Cheyenne tribes.
The land had been recognized as belonging to the tribes, but when the gold rush began, there was a lot of pressure for newcomers to take the land for resources.
The surprise attack in 1864 was led by Colonel Chivington, and took 230 of the natives’ lives, while taking 9 of Chivington’s men, in contrast.
The new name of Mount Blue Sky was approved in 2023. It honors both the Arapaho, who are also called the Blue Sky People, and the Cheyenne, who have an annual ritual called Blue Sky.
When to drive up Mount Blue Sky
Mount Blue Sky is open for driving seasonally during the summer months.
Opening day for Mount Blue Sky is typically the last part of May. It is open until Labor Day.
When you do drive up, the road is open 24/7. However, if you plan to drive up Mount Blue Sky between 8am to 6:30 pm, you’ll need a reservation and to pay the fee. This includes being in the area at all during these hours, not just entering before 8.
Mount Blue Sky in winter is not accessible.
Mount Blue Sky Weather
Weather going up to the top of a 14,000 mountain can be very unpredictable. Typically, you can expect it to be much colder at the top. We drove up on one of the heat-wave days in Colorado. When we arrived at the top it was sunny, breezy, and colder but not cold.
When we left the top, roughly an hour later, it was raining pretty good and 48 degrees. There was plenty of thunder, and we were grateful we had taken an earlier slot to visit.
You never know what to expect at that altitude, but it’s pretty common for afternoon storms to roll in and for temperatures to drop significantly.
Mount Blue Sky from Denver
Where is Mount Blue Sky? Well, if you are visiting Denver, it’s actually a pretty convenient place to visit. You’ll simple head out of the city and get on I-70 west. Get off at exit 240, right amid Idaho Springs.
Turn left on CO-103 (the opposite side of the highway than downtown Idaho Springs.) Right after you pass Echo Lake, you’ll head to the right were you’ll come to the fee station for Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway.
It’s typically under an hour to get to the drive for Mount Blue Sky from Denver, though you never know what traffic on I-70 will be like. There may be construction, typical traffic, weather, or anything else.
Or you may get lucky and get right through.
Entrance to Mount Blue Sky
Once you arrive at the entrance, you’ll have to show your reservation to proceed.
You can make your reservation in advance (link in next section). If you have an America the Beautiful (interagency) pass, you’ll be able to check that box for free admission. All you’ll have to pay is the small reservation fee.
The system is based on a bit of timed entry. You’ll get a two-hour window to enter, making it nice and flexible for families.
There is no official shuttle for Mount Blue Sky. But if you’d like to avoid making the 28-mile drive up the mountain yourself, you can take a day trip from Denver by using a service that takes you up Mount Blue Sky.
Accessing Different Areas
When you make your reservation for Mount Blue Sky, you’ll have some options to choose from. These options include different places where you are able to park. If you’re reservation doesn’t include the specific area, you cannot park there.
This is a quick reference of the choices you have to choose from on the reservation. There is more info on each in the section farther below.
Mt. Goliath
Mt. Goliath is a nature center with plenty of space to walk around or enjoy longer hikes. There are bathrooms and trash cans.
Summit Lake
A lake high in the mountains. Totally worth a stop. Goats, lake, views, short hikes, long hike options… this is great for everyone.
Mount Blue Sky
This is the final destination, the end of the road. You can access the parking here if your reservation allows.
Why couldn’t you come here anyway? What’s the point of the reservation?
Well, while there is enough parking, there isn’t ample parking for everyone that drives up. Reservations make an attempt at making sure there is enough parking for everyone.
Even when we went up (with a reservation), the parking lot was full and there were just a few cars parked along the road at the entrance of the lot. We were lucky to get a spot as someone pulled out, but the top is crowded enough that there’s no way everyone who wanted could have a place to park.
At least, not in summer on a weekend.
Make sure your reservation includes the top! (For example, there is an option to only reserve Summit Lake. This would not allow you to park at the top of Mount Blue Sky.)
Mount Blue Sky Drive with Kids- Where to Stop
Echo Lake
Echo Lake is one of the first beautiful areas you’ll come to along highway 103. Luckily, Echo Lake is not part of the fee area, so if you were unable to get a reservation, you can still access Echo Lake.
This is a beautiful area with a lake right off the road. You can park right at the lake and then walk around a bit and enjoy this scenic spot.
Mount Goliath
Mount Goliath is the next great place to pull over and get out on your drive up to the Mount Blue Sky summit. You’ll immediately see a nature center where you can go in and learn a little about the flora and fauna of the area.
You’ll also get a few vault toilets on the side of the building.
We loved walking around the nature trails in back where there was a huge garden of flowers and plants. It’s a great interpretive area that provides both beauty and education.
There are more trails beyond the gardens if you want a little hiking.
Summit Lake
Summit Lake was probably the prettiest, in my opinion.
This beautiful lake has a trail from the parking that leads to the lake and up to a viewpoint of Chicago Lakes. Those who are ready for a challenge can also take the trail for a shorter route to the top of Mount Bierstadt, though I wouldn’t do that with kids 🙂
There are a lot of mountain goats in the Summit Lake area, and they really like cars and eating the salt off the bottom of them.
Mount Blue Sky Summit
This is the icing on the cake and the main reason people grab their reservation. Mount Blue sky, as the highest paved road in North America, is filled with spectacular views.
At the top, you can park and get out and walk around. There are a few places you may notice as you approach the top.
Building at the Top
The Crest House was opened in 1942 and provided a restaurant and gift shop at Mount Blue Sky (Mount Evans). Unfortunately, 37 years later it caught fire and burned down. You can still walk through the ruins of the structure today.
The High Altitude Lab was built in 1935 by the University of Denver for cosmic ray research. They added a telescope to the place over 40 years later, and then in 1997 it expanded to an observatory.
Hiking the Summit
When you get out, you’ll notice a trail on what is the remaining climb up to the peak. You can hop on this trail and get to the absolute top of Mount Blue Sky here.
A word of advice: By now you’ve driven up the mountain and gained quite a bit of altitude. Take a moment to adjust to your new heights. Walk around the structures first, grab a snack, and drink some water.
Once you adjusted and feel confident, then go ahead and make the hill climb up to the top.
If you feel dizzy, light headed, or have other irregular symptoms, get back to lower ground as quickly as you can. (I’m not a doctor. If you have health conditions, you will want to check with a doctor before even driving up Mount Blue Sky!)
Animals of Mount Blue Sky
In addition to specifically seeing each area, make sure to keep your eyes peeled for plenty of mountain life on your drive. Kids will love being able to spot unique wildlife along the Mount Blue Sky drive.
The goats will be easy to find as they are attracted to the high altitude parking lots at Summit Lake and Mount Blue Sky summit.
We were also lucky to spot a herd of elk laying among the rolling greens of the mountains. It was a huge herd, so it was pretty cool.
A few of my kids spotted marmots as well.
Beyond that, you also may get to spot bighorn sheep, pikas, and plenty of bird species.
Other Things to do at Mount Blue Sky
Mount Blue Sky Hill Climb
This isn’t a family activity, but whether you want to participate as an adult or not, it’s something to be aware of.
The Hill Climb is a 27.4 mile bike race from Idaho Springs and up to the summit of Mount Blue Sky. No, it’s not family-friendly.
However, you need to be aware of this event as the road to Mount Blue Sky will be closed to visitors during this race.
The Hill Climb is typically held on a Saturday toward the end of July. You can check the schedule here.
Camping near Mount Blue Sky
You can’t camp along Mount Blue Sky. You can only do so in designated and dispersed camping spots, where allowed.
The best and closest place to camp near the scenic byway is at Echo Lake Campground. This campground is located just before you reach the fee station.
There are only 17 sites here. 10 can handle RVs and 7 are for tent only.
How Long Is The Drive Up Mount Blue Sky?
The drive up Mount Blue Sky can really vary depending on how many stops you make and how long you stop for.
Assuming you are driving the posted speed limit, the drive can take around 1 hour driving straight to the top from Idaho Springs.
But I highly suggest getting a reservation that includes Mount Goliath and Summit Lake and stopping there.
All-in-all, we spent about 4 hours roundtrip. We started in Idaho Springs since we were staying there for the weekend. Then we stopped at both Goliath and Summit Lake.
Once we were at the summit, we hung out for a while, some of the kids made the trek to the very top, we walked around the Crest House, and ate some snacks.
So, all of that took around 4 hours round trip from Idaho Springs.
I encourage you to really enjoy the journey and not rush. It’s an incredibly beautiful area!
Where to Stay near Mount Blue Sky
Idaho Springs is incredibly close to the Mount Blue Sky scenic byway. It’s just a short drive across I-70 to access.
Within Idaho Springs, I strongly recommend staying at the Club Hotel.
The Club Hotel is a historic building that has changed many hands over the years. Now it is owned by a local Coloradan who sought to restore it while also bringing it up to code and comfort for guests.
Club Hotel – Idaho Springs
- Family Size Room Available
- Large Annex for meetings or gatherings
- Two Blocks from Historic Downtown Idaho Springs
- Modern, Historic charm
- Clean and Welcoming
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can You Bike Up Mount Blue Sky?
Yes, you can bike up Mount Blue Sky. Take plenty of snacks, hydration, and layers as the temperatures can change quickly.
Do You Need Reservations for Mount Blue Sky?
YES, you must have a reservation to drive up Mount Blue Sky. You will pay a minimal reservation fee, and then the entrance fee. If you have an America the Beautiful pass, you can use that for entrance and you’ll only have to pay the reservation fee. Make sure to bring your pass with you to show at the fee station.
Did They Change Mount Evans to Mount Blue Sky?
Yes, the name change was officially done in 2023 to rename the mountain. Its new name now honors both the Arapaho and Cheyenne Tribes while removing the name of the past Colorado Governor who was partly responsible for the Sand Creek Massacre against them.
What is at the Top of Mount Blue Sky?
At the top of Mount Blue Sky you’ll find a bunch of mountain goats, the Crest House (which burned down but was formerly a gift shop and restaurant), and the final climb to the summit.
What is Mount Blue Sky Known For?
Mount Blue Sky is known as the highest paved road in North America. It is one of Colorado’s many 14ers, or a mountain peak that is over 14,000 feet.
Final Thoughts on Driving up Mount Blue Sky
Is the drive up Mount Blue Sky a good idea with kids? Is it worth it?
Yes! There are many families that make their way up to the summit and enjoy the views, lakes, and animals of Mount Blue Sky.
Even now, weeks later, we still talk about how glad we are that we didn’t skip this trip. Yes, it’s a bit time consuming. But it is incredible!
Next time you are hanging out in Idaho Springs during the summer, make sure you have a reservation to drive up Mount Blue Sky with the family and cross off this bucket-list worthy adventure.
Grab a reservation for all 3 areas to really appreciate the land and beauty on the drive up. Then climb to the top of this 14er with the whole family.
Have you visited Mount Blue Sky? Come share your photos in my free Colorado Family Travel Facebook group!
Make Sure to Check out:
The Best Rafting in Idaho Springs
Hiking St. Mary’s Glacier with Kids
