The highest paved road in North America, the Mount Evans Scenic Byway climbs to 14,130 feet through alpine tundra, subalpine lakes, and mountain goat territory. The road is open seasonally and offers dramatic views without the physical effort of hiking a fourteener.
Mount Evans Scenic Byway, designated State Highway 5, ascends from the town of Idaho Springs at 7,540 feet to the summit parking area of Mount Evans at 14,130 feet — the highest paved road in North America by a substantial margin. The 28-mile route climbs through four distinct ecological life zones in approximately one hour of driving, transitioning from ponderosa pine and Rocky Mountain maple at lower elevations through lodgepole pine and Engelmann spruce forests, into the krummholz transition zone of windswept stunted trees, and finally emerging onto open alpine tundra above 12,000 feet where no trees can survive.
The road first opened in 1927, making it one of the earliest summit drives constructed in the Colorado high country. Interpretive pullouts along the byway identify geological features, plant communities, and wildlife habitat. Summit Lake at approximately 12,830 feet is a pristine glacial lake surrounded by tundra and wetland, with a short interpretive trail looping around its edge — one of the most accessible high-alpine lake environments in the United States.
Mountain goats are the most frequently encountered wildlife at high elevations; these goats are habituated to human presence and sometimes approach vehicles in the summit parking area. Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, pikas, yellow-bellied marmots, white-tailed ptarmigan, and brown-capped rosy-finches are regularly observed above treeline. The subalpine zone below 12,000 feet supports Steller's jays, Clark's nutcrackers, and American three-toed woodpeckers in the spruce-fir forest.
The summit cone of Mount Evans itself features a summit marker at 14,130 feet and an unobstructed 360-degree view across the Front Range, with Denver and the eastern plains visible to the northeast and the Indian Peaks Wilderness and Continental Divide extending south and west. The Echo Lake Recreation Area at the base of the byway serves as the trailhead for several hiking routes into the adjacent Mount Evans Wilderness, accessible independently of the summit drive.
Good to know
- Hours
- Open Memorial Day-Labor Day, 9AM-4PM
- Best time
- Morning (afternoon storms common)
- Best for
- photographers, families, wildlife viewers, non-hikers wanting high altitude
Location
CO-5, Idaho Springs, CO 80452
39.5883, -105.6438 View on map
Highlights
- Highest paved road in North America — ascending to 14,130 feet through four ecological life zones in one hour
- Mountain goats frequently visible at the summit parking area — habituated to human presence, sometimes within touching distance
- Summit Lake at 12,830 feet — a pristine glacial lake on the tundra with an accessible interpretive walking loop
- 360-degree summit views spanning the Front Range, Denver skyline, Indian Peaks, and eastern plains
- White-tailed ptarmigan, pikas, marmots, and bighorn sheep regularly visible above treeline
Tips for visiting
- The road closes at the first sign of lightning - start early
- Mountain goats are frequently spotted near the summit
- Bring heavy layers even in summer - it can snow any month at the top
When to visit
Morning visits are essential — afternoon thunderstorms develop rapidly above treeline and the road closes at the first sign of lightning, sometimes before noon. Clear days in June and early July after road opening offer the best combination of fresh snow on surrounding peaks, blooming tundra wildflowers, and good visibility. The last weeks before Labor Day closure in August see the largest visitor volumes.
Accessibility
The byway is drivable by standard vehicles, making the summit accessible to visitors who cannot hike. The summit parking area has accessible restrooms. The Summit Lake interpretive loop trail is a short, mostly flat path on packed tundra surface that is manageable for many mobility aid users in dry conditions. The mountain goat viewing at the parking area requires no walking.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Mount Evans Scenic Byway open?
The byway typically opens on Memorial Day weekend in late May and closes on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend in early September — a window of roughly 100 days. The opening and closing dates depend on snowpack and road conditions each year. The lower section to Echo Lake is open year-round; only the upper section to the summit has a seasonal closure.
Is the drive safe for any vehicle?
The road is paved its full length to the summit parking area and is drivable by standard passenger cars without four-wheel drive. The road is narrow in places with no guardrails at some sections, and steep drop-offs require careful driving. RVs and vehicles with trailers longer than 20 feet are not recommended beyond Echo Lake. Afternoon thunderstorms can bring sudden snow and ice even in July and August.
Is altitude sickness a concern when driving to the summit?
Yes — even arriving at 14,130 feet by vehicle can cause headache, nausea, and dizziness in unacclimatized visitors, particularly those coming from sea-level environments. Limiting time at the summit, drinking plenty of water, and descending promptly if symptoms appear are the recommended precautions. Children and older adults are more susceptible.