The top of Mount Evans Highway in Colorado closed on Tuesday, September 6th, due to winter conditions, the Colorado Department of Transportation announced.
ALERT: Starting September 6th, Mt. Evans (Hwy 5) will be open from mile 1 (Echo Lake) to mile 9 (Summit Lake).
The top portion will be closed for the season from mile 9 to mile 14 to all motor vehicles.
At this time, visitors can visit these sites by motorized vehicle: Mt. Goliath Nature Center (mile 3) and Summit Lake Park (mile 9).
Mt. Goliath and Summit Lake Park Ticket will be the only available ticket at the time until we close for the season.
Starting Sept. 6, Mt. Evans (Hwy 5) will be open from Echo Lake to Summit Lake. The top portion will be closed for the season to all motor vehicles. Mt. Goliath & Summit Lake Park will be the only available ticket at the time until we close for the season. https://t.co/DY9QVwAVnD pic.twitter.com/Lhq828fx89
— Forest Service, ARP (@usfsarp) September 3, 2022
Vehicle access to the top five-mile segment of Mount Evans Highway (Colorado Highway 5) typically closes the day after Labor Day, per agreement with the US Forest Service.
The Echo Lake to Summit Lake road will remain open through September 24th.
Weather permitting, the road is expected to reopen the Friday before Memorial Day (May 26th, 2023).
Reservations are required through Recreation.gov to drive up the mountain and park anywhere along the way. Hikers and bicyclists do not need to make a reservation.
Information regarding the opening and closing of seasonal highways in Colorado is available on COtrip, or by calling 511.
Mount Evans is the 14th tallest 14er in Colorado at 14,264 feet and 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.
