Mount Evans Recreation Area Timed Tickets
Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee Ng
Welcome to Mount Evans, the 14th tallest 14er in Colorado at 14,264 feet. It also happens to be the highest paved road in North America! On the 14-mile one-way drive, you can stop at Mount Goliath Nature Center, Summit Lake Park and the Summit Interpretive area of Mount Evans.
When you drive up the road and get above tree-line, you will be entering an alpine environment where the Mountain Goats, Marmots, and Bighorn Sheep call this place home year-round. You can also walk amongst the alpine wildflowers as well. It’s a harsh environment, but the plants and wildlife are well adapted to live on Mount Evans. The different environments on Mount Evans are one of a kind, and we want to keep them sustainable and be able to be visited for years to come. To help protect the purity and uniqueness of the area, we ask that you learn and practice ‘’Leave No Trace’’ ethics.
Notifications and Alerts
The Mount Evans road is open from Echo Lake to Summit Lake only Sept. 5 through Oct. 9, 2023 weather permitting. The upper road to the Summit is Closed for the season.
Need to Know
- Reservation Requirements
There is NO cell phone service in the area. Please purchase your reservation ahead of time, at home or before leaving the towns of Idaho Springs or Bergen Park.
Visitors who arrive by vehicle or motorcycle must purchase a timed entry reservation and must enter on the first day of the reservation at the required entry time. Tickets must be purchased online at Recreation.gov or use the Recreation.gov mobile app.
Reservation tickets will not be sold at the Mount Evans Welcome Station.
We do not sell the Federal Recreation Land Passes on site. Please visit the USGS online store for America the Beautiful passes at
- Arrival Times
Please arrive as close to your 2-hour reservation time reservation as indicated on your ticket. If you booked a reservation for the 8-10AM time slot you have between 8-10AM to enter. You may not enter the area prior to your reservation. Once entered, visitors can stay the entire day.
- Reservation Limit
Visitors are allowed to have up to 1 private vehicle reservation per day for only 1 time slot. Reservation holder must be in the vehicle at time of entry.
Motorcycles tickets are per person and must purchase a reservation for each driver/rider.
- Pass Holders
Interagency pass holders are required to make an entry time reservation and the non-refundable $2.00 fee applies. This includes Interagency annual, senior, military volunteer, 4th grade and access passes. Please be prepared to show your pass with your reservation ticket. Federal Recreation Land passes are not sold on site.
- Entering the Area
Please have a printed or digital copy of your timed entry reservation available to be scanned at the Welcome Station each day you enter. Print or download your reservation to your phone prior to leaving a near by town with cell service. There is No cell service at the Welcome Station.
All reservation holders be prepared to show photo ID.
- Weather/Hazards
Conditions can change quickly and drastically on Mount Evans. Regardless of the weather conditions at the start of Highway 5, come prepared for any of the following: intense sunlight, cold temperatures, snow, hail or rain, extreme wind, and low oxygen levels. The road can close any day throughout the summer due to winter-like conditions.
Road damage near Summit Lake Park, Slow Down before approaching.
- Wildlife viewing and safe distances
Observe animals from a safe distance - safe for you and safe for the animals.
Never chase or harass wildlife - it is unlawful and can harm them.
Respect others who are viewing the same animals.
It is illegal and harmful to feed wild animals.Check out Colorado Parks and Wildlife video on what to know when visiting the area.
- Area regulations
Camping and campfires are not allowed within one-half mile of the Mount Evans corridor and the entire Summit Lake Flats. Feeding or attracting wildlife is prohibited. Hunting is prohibited within one-half mile of the Mount Evans Road when it is open.
- Pets
Dogs are welcome, but they must be on a handheld leash at all times.
- Driving the Scenic Road
The Mount Evans Scenic Byway climbs more than 7,000 feet in just 28 miles, reaching an altitude of 14,130 feet. The views are breath taking, but the road is in poor condition and has no guardrails so be prepared for slow and possible difficult driving conditions. Also beware there are many bicyclists that cycle this road. The maximum allowable length for vehicles is 30 feet due to the narrow steep and winding road. Motorhomes are not recommended.
- Free Days
Fees are waived on Fee-Free days. A non-refundable $2.00 reservation fee still applies. To reserve a ticket for a Fee-Free day, select Personal Vehicle Fee Free Day Entry. Fee-Free days are as follows: June 10, 2023 (National Get Outdoors Day), June 19, 2023 (Juneteenth) & September 23, 2023 (National Public Lands Day)
- Mount Evans Road Closures
The Mount Evans road will be CLOSED for a recreation event on June 25, 2023 and on July 8, 2023. The road will close to the public the night before the scheduled events approx. 8PM.
Reservations for these two days will only be open for the 2 and 4 PM reservation times.
On September 5, 2023 the road from Summit Lake Park to the Summit Interpretive area will be closed for the season. The road from Echo Lake to Summit Lake Park will remain open weather permitting through Oct. 9, 2023.
- Commercial Use
A commercial vehicle timed ticket is required for commercial operators entering the area and will not be providing additional visitor services (guided hikes, climbing, etc.). This includes commercial test cars. All commercial tour operators must register with the Forest Service in order to purchase a ticket. Call the District Office at 303-567-3029 for more information.
- Family Reunions, Weddings, and Elopements
These events are not permitted along Highway 5 or at developed sites located on the corridor. The developed interpretive sites on this corridor are designed for interpretation and education for the public and are not appropriate for special events as they are continually at or over capacity.
CFR: § 261.16 Developed recreation sites. Prohibited: (a) occupying any portion of the site for other than recreation purposes.
- FAQs
For additional information about Mount Evans, please visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/arp/recreation/natureviewing/recarea/?recid=28452&actid=64
Booking Windows
Primary Booking Window: 75% of the timed tickets will be available 30 days in advance at 10AM EST, on a daily rolling bases.
Secondary Booking Window: 25% of the timed tickets will also be available two days in advance at 10 a.m. ET on a rolling window. Example: On June 1 tickets will be available for June 3; on June 2 tickets will be available June 4.
Changes and Cancellations
Cancellations must be made up to 24 hours in advance of the entry time for refund minus $2 processing fee. Refunds must be process through www.recreation.gov.
No refunds for no shows, weather or cancellations less than 24 hours in advance.
Once printed, the ticket is considered issued and modifications or cancellations will no longer be allowed.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
Highway 5 Idaho Springs CO 80452
Phone Number
970-295-6600
Available Tickets
- Commercial Vehicle 1-Day Ticket
- Fee-Free Day: Mount Goliath Nature Center & Summit Lake Park – September 23, 2023 - Sold Out
- Mount Goliath and Summit Lake Park Vehicle Ticket -Sept. 5 - Oct. 9, 2023
