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Status update, October 20, 2026.
- Closed for the season. Recreation.gov says the Mount Blue Sky Road (State Highway 5) closed to vehicles on October 5, 2026, and stays closed through the end of 2026 (Recreation.gov). 2027 dates haven't been announced. The road reopened on May 22 this year after being closed since Labor Day 2024 for repairs.
- For high-country views this week, Guanella Pass usually stays open until around November 26 (CDOT), and Pikes Peak Highway is running fall and winter hours. See our scenic drives guide.
What Mount Blue Sky is
Mount Blue Sky is the 14,265-foot peak west of Denver that was known as Mount Evans until it was renamed in 2023. The scenic byway climbs more than 7,000 feet over 28 miles from Idaho Springs to a parking area at 14,130 feet, just below the summit. The full byway runs about 49 miles from Idaho Springs to Bergen Park. Along the way you can see mountain goats, bighorn sheep, marmots and ancient bristlecone pines. (Recreation.gov, CBS Colorado)
Since 2026 the recreation area has been run by Denver Mountain Parks under agreements with the Arapaho National Forest. Denver Mountain Parks collects fees, runs the reservation system and sets the hours, which are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (City and County of Denver)
Timed tickets and fees
If you arrive by car or motorcycle, you need a timed ticket from Recreation.gov or its app. They aren't sold at the welcome station. The 2026 rules:
- A vehicle all-sites pass cost $20 and a motorcycle pass $15. These are 2026 fees, so treat them as estimates for next year. Hikers and cyclists don't need a ticket.
- Federal passes don't work here. Because the area is now locally managed, America the Beautiful and other federal passes aren't accepted.
- You can check out free passes from Denver Public Library and Clear Creek County libraries. Fees were also waived on August 1 for Colorado Day.
- Of the tickets, 75% were released 30 days ahead at 8 a.m. MDT, and the other 25% two days ahead at 8 a.m.
- You get a two-hour window to enter, and once you're in you can stay all day. Each person can hold one reservation per day, and the reservation holder has to be in the vehicle with photo ID.
- Cancel at least 24 hours ahead for a refund minus a $2 fee. There are no refunds for no-shows or weather.
There's no cell service at the welcome station. Download or print your ticket in Idaho Springs or Bergen Park before you head up.
When the road is open
The road is a summer and early-fall trip. In 2026 it opened on May 22, the Friday before Memorial Day weekend, and closed to vehicles on October 5. The road also closed for a few special events during the summer. Snow can shut the upper road at any time, even in summer. The US Forest Service lists a 30-foot vehicle length limit. (USFS)
For 2027, watch Recreation.gov and Denver Mountain Parks in spring. Don't plan around an exact opening date until it's announced.
The drive and what to see
From Denver, take I-70 west to Idaho Springs and follow the signs south toward Echo Lake. The ticket covers three developed sites:
- Mount Goliath Natural Area has bristlecone pines, some of the oldest living things on earth, and short trails.
- Summit Lake Park is an alpine lake below the peak. Mountain goats are often nearby.
- At the summit area, the road ends at 14,130 feet, and a short, steep walk takes you to the 14,265-foot top. Many visitors count it as their first 14er.
The upper road is narrow and winding, with steep drop-offs and few guardrails. Allow extra time, and use lower gears on the way down.
Tours from Denver
Several Denver operators sell Mount Blue Sky trips on Viator in summer, including full-day tours that combine the summit with Idaho Springs, alpine lakes or Red Rocks. The operator handles the driving, and most also handle access, but check each listing for what's included and whether entry fees are extra. Tours depend on the road being open, so they only run in summer. Out of season, the closest substitutes are a Pikes Peak tour, which goes up the 14,115-foot summit road, or a Red Rocks tour.
Altitude and weather
You'll go from about 7,500 feet in Idaho Springs to over 14,000 feet in less than an hour, and most people feel it. Walk slowly at the top, drink water, and head back down if you get a headache, feel dizzy or feel sick. Summer afternoons often bring thunderstorms and lightning above treeline, so mornings are better. It can be near freezing and windy at the summit even in July, so bring a warm layer. If you have heart or lung conditions, ask your own doctor before going to high altitude.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mount Evans the same as Mount Blue Sky?
Yes. Mount Evans was renamed Mount Blue Sky in 2023. The road is now called the Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway.
Do you need a reservation for Mount Blue Sky?
Yes, if you drive or ride a motorcycle. Timed tickets are sold on Recreation.gov ($20 per vehicle and $15 per motorcycle in 2026). Hikers and cyclists don't need one.
Is Mount Blue Sky open now?
No. The road closed to vehicles on October 5, 2026, and Recreation.gov says it stays closed through 2026. In 2026 it opened on May 22.
Does the America the Beautiful pass work at Mount Blue Sky?
No. Since local management took over, federal recreation passes aren't accepted. Free passes can be checked out from Denver Public Library and Clear Creek County libraries.
How long does the Mount Blue Sky drive take?
The climb from Idaho Springs is 28 miles. Plan a half day from Denver with stops, or a full day if you add Idaho Springs or a hike.
Sources are linked in the text. We check them when we update the page, but rules, dates and prices change, so confirm with the official source before you go.