Mount Blue Sky Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Mount Blue Sky, aka Mount Evans. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Guided Hiking Tour in Colorado Rocky Mountains View of Mt BlueSky

• Mount Blue Sky 14,265ft Summit and Glacial Lakes

• Mount Blue Sky, Clear Creek Canyon & Red Rocks Park (Mount Evans)

• Upper Clear Creek Half-Day Whitewater Rafting From Idaho Springs

• Clear Creek Gold Rush Whitewater Rafting From Idaho Springs

Mount Blue Sky (formerly known as Mount Evans) is technically free to visit—it’s a gigantic mountain, after all—but if you want to access the summit by car and park at the various lookouts, you’ll need a timed entry permit; those cost US$10 and are available at recreation.gov.

Yes, Mount Blue Sky is definitely worth visiting. Drive up the peak and you'll be on the highest paved road in North America, reaching 14,130 feet (4,306 meters). Beyond the fabulous panoramic views, you'll also have a chance to spot wildlife like mountain goats and bighorn sheep, and it's all easily accessible from Denver.

Per one customer who booked the Mount Blue Sky 14,265ft Summit and Glacial Lakes, "We absolutely loved this tour. Our guide, Kristen, was fantastic, sharing interesting factoids and capturing amazing pictures of our family at great spots. She provided snacks and gave excellent restaurant tips for lunch. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and she delivered on her promise of breathtaking views, wildlife, and wildflowers. This was truly a great tour—highly recommend!"

Yes, tickets are required for Mount Blue Sky, aka Mount Evans. All tickets are timed and must be purchased in advance online. Reservations can be made up to 30 days before your visit. To avoid the biggest crowds, book your tickets early in the morning and skip summer weekends.

No, you cannot drive up Mount Blue Sky, aka Mount Evans, year-round. The season varies yearly, but the road is typically open from late May to September. Early or late snowfalls will abbreviate the mountain’s season, so keep your eyes on the weather if visiting in the shoulder seasons of spring and fall.

The drive up Mount Blue Sky, aka Mount Evans, is dangerous. Unlike Pike’s Peak, the road can be incredibly narrow with little to no shoulder and sheer drop-offs, and many people will be driving large SUVs and trucks. That being said, the road is paved and incredibly popular—as long as you stay alert, you should be fine.

The Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway (formerly Mount Evans) is 28 miles (45 kilometers) across five climate zones. Echo Lake marks the start of the byway. From there, you’ll see wildlife like mountain goats, ancient bristlecone pine forests, high alpine lakes like Summit Lake (one of the highest lakes in the United States), panoramic views across the Rockies, and more.

The best hiking trails on Mount Blue Sky, aka Mount Evans, depend on what you’re looking for. The Mount Blue Sky Summit Trail is about .2 miles (.3km) from the parking lot and offers fabulous views from the mountaintops. Otherwise, the Chicago Lakes Trail and the Summit Lake to Mount Evans trails are scenic day-hike options for those with plenty of water, snacks, and good hiking boots.

Yes, guided tours are available for Mount Blue Sky, aka Mount Evans, with many departing from Denver—hiking tours, photography tours, wildlife tours, and sightseeing tours are all widely available. Tours can be an excellent option for those who don’t want to drive the narrow byway, as they typically include round-trip transportation.

There are tons of things to do when you're done visiting Mount Blue Sky. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Colorado:

• Garden of the Gods

• Pikes Peak Highway

• Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre

• Pikes Peak

• Larimer Square

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Colorado.