Mount Evans from Denver

See the best of Colorado’s mountain scenery on a day tour to Mount Evans from Denver. The magnificent mountain is also known as Mount Blue Sky, a new name under state proposal to honor the victims of Sand Creek Massacre led by then Governor John Evans.

Visit a most famous concert venue, Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, where world-famous musicians have performed.

Read Full Guide

Visit a most famous concert venue, Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, where world-famous musicians have performed.

Read Full Guide

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Authors

Lorie Halliday

Christian Schoeman

Visit a most famous concert venue, Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, where world-famous musicians have performed.

Explore some historic Colorado mining towns, where Colorado's frantic Gold Rush began in the 1850s. See the beautiful Echo and Summit mountain lakes and marvel at the amazing scenery along Mount Evans Scenic Byway.

Here's everything you need to know about Mount Evans, one of the most captivating day trips from Denver.

How to get to Mount Evans from Denver?

Mount Blue Sky lies 75 kilometers west of Denver and is about an hour’s drive.

From Denver to Mount Evans by car

If you choose to drive to Mount Evans from Denver, take Highway 6 west and road 103.

From Denver to Mount Evans by bus

Take the bus from Wewatta Street and 17th Street to Idaho Springs and a taxi from there to Mount Blue Sky. Each journey takes about 50 minutes.

Guided tours to Mount Evans from Denver

There are several half-day and full day trips to Mount Evans from Denver with pickup and drop-off in Denver for your convenience.

How much does the entrance ticket to Mount Evans cost?

To access the Mount Evans Byway between 8 AM and 6:30 PM, you have to make a timed-entry reservation at US$15 per vehicle, plus a US$2 reservation fee. You can make reservations on the Recreation.gov website up to 30 days in advance.

What is the typical itinerary?

You will depart from Denver Union Station and travel to the Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, one of the famous music venues in the world. World-famous musicians such as The Beatles and many others have performed here.

Continue up Clear Creek Canyon and stop in Evergreen for coffee. Then enjoy the beautiful drive along Mount Evans Scenic Byway, offering breathtaking mountain views. There are stops at Echo Lake below gorgeous mountain and at Summit Lake Park.

Finally, visit the town of Idaho Springs, a well-known historic gold mining town.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Mount Evans?

Scenic Mount Blue Sky / Mount Evans tour from Denver

On this full-day tour to Mount Evans from Denver you can enjoy time away from the city, admiring stunning peaks, lakes and historic mining towns. As you drive up Mount Evans – one of Colorado’s highest – marvel at the dramatic Continental Divide ranges, and watch out for bighorn sheep and bison.

You will meet your guide at Denver Union Station from where you will travel to the Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre. Wander through one of the most unique music venues in the world, where world-famous musicians such as The Beatles, Louis Armstrong and Willie Nelson performed.

Then later, drive up Clear Creek Canyon, a section of the historic Lariat Loop, and stop in the charming town of Evergreen for coffee.

Enjoy the Mount Evans Scenic Byway, a beautiful drive with breathtaking mountain views, and reaching a height of 4,300 meters. Stop at Echo Lake Park below Mount Evans, for wonderful views of the peak.

Continue to Summit Lake Park, where you will stop for photographs and possibly some wildlife viewing. If time allows, you can finally pause in historic Idaho Springs for a beer or some shopping. The minimum age for this tour is 8.

Private tour to Mount Evans plus Red Rocks, Echo Lake and Idaho Springs

See an amazing variety of Colorado’s top attractions on this guided private tour to Mount Evans from Denver. Visit one of the world’s famous concert venues and the historic Colorado mining town where the Gold Rush began. See beautiful mountain lakes and crown your trip along America's highest scenic paved road.

You will visit the iconic Larimer Square, the birthplace of Denver, with dozens of shops and restaurants. Next you will explore the RiNo Art District with art work of the various businesses and food courts, micro breweries and studios.

Continue to the famous Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre with its distinctive red rocks, where the Beatles started their 1964 North American tour. Other famous performers include Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan. Next, visit the old mining town of Idaho Springs, where the famous Gold Rush began. It’s a good stop for a meal and some shopping.

Your tour finishes on a high – literally – along the Mount Evans Scenic Byway, America's highest scenic paved road at some 4,300 meters. Driving up, you will marvel at the incredible mountain ranges. Hike around the top for about an hour, and see the famous Chicago Lakes.

How much does a tour to Mount Evans from Denver cost?

The scenic Mount Evans tour from Denver costs US$160 per person for a group of two to 14 people, and it lasts for 7 hours. The price covers a driver/guide, lunch and water refill, as well as parking fees.

The private tour to Mount Evans plus Red Rocks, Echo Lake and Idaho Springs costs US$360 per person for a group of two people, and the price can be US$155 per person for a group of six people.

This 7-hour tour provides a licensed guide who can tell you a lot of stories about tales of the Colorado Wild West, as you explore its natural treasures.

What will you see?

Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre

Red Rocks Park is situated where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains and visitors can see fauna and flora of both regions. Denver received approval from the U.S. Secretary of the Interior in 1936 to build the Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

The project was estimated to take two years but eventually took five to complete. It was officially dedicated in 1941. In 2003, a new Red Rocks Visitor Center and Hall of Fame was opened at Red Rocks.

Idaho Springs

Idaho Springs is famous for George Jackson’s gold discovery at the confluence of Chicago Creek and Vasquez Creek in 1859. It was the first significant discovery of Colorado’s Gold Rush.

The town thereafter developed throughout the 1860's, with a peak population of over 12,000 people. Today, you can have an interesting tour of the Argo Gold Mine and Mill and try your luck at panning gold.

Evergreen

Evergreen is a charming idyllic mountain town, tucked away in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. It is known for Evergreen Lake, home to year-round outdoor activities, such as hiking, paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing and ice skating.

In Downtown Evergreen, you will find interesting shops, eateries, art galleries, live music, all surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenes.

Is it safe?

Most tours to Mount Evans from Denver are not recommended for people with heart problems or other serious medical conditions. Also be aware that the Mount Evans altitude and thinness of the air can cause you problems.

What happens in case of bad weather?

Day tours to Mount Evans from Denver depend on good weather. If your tour is canceled because of bad weather, you can choose a different date or request a refund.

When is Mount Evans open over the year?

You can visit Mount Evans all year round but the road to the top of Mount Evans is closed in winter from early October. It opens in May around Memorial Day after plowing the snow. Once open to the public, it stays open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Roads are closed, in parts, after Labor Day, 4 September.

When is the best time to visit Mount Evans?

Try not to visit Mount Evans over the weekend, as there will be a lot of people. The best time to see wildlife is early in the day around sunrise, or around sunset.