Mount Evans Scenic Byway

Department of Transportation.

The Mount Evans Scenic Byway climbs more than 7,000 feet in just 28 miles, reaching an altitude of 14,264 feet. The upper section of this road is the highest paved highway in North America. At the summit you'll enjoy the big picture—the entire Front Range and Continental Divide sprawls at your feet. This highest of Rocky Mountain highs brings you to the rarefied world above timberline. Here there is an amalgam of hardy wildflowers, lichens and grasses, furry mammals like pikas and marmots, rock-jumping mountain goats, and alpine lakes. This is perhaps the best place in Colorado to catch a glimpse of the stately bighorn sheep.

Outdoor adventure awaits you around every bend along the byway. More than 70 percent of the county is covered in public land, ensuring that visitors can enjoy a variety of activities. Fishing in clear mountain lakes and streams, stopping for a picnic, viewing wildflowers and wildlife, hiking the many trails in the area, horseback riding, backcountry skiing and snowshoeing, camping, rafting, biking, and four-wheeling are the most popular activities along the byway.

Directions

Navigating the Byway:
From Denver, take I-70 west, and take Exit 240. The byway begins here, on SR-103. Travel south to Echo Lake. At Echo Lake is the Forest Service's check-in station. From here, follow SR-5 to the summit of Mt. Evans.

Additional Information

• Mount Evans Scenic Byway Map

Photo Gallery

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