RVers, if you’ve ever dreamed of driving to the top of the highest paved road in North America, your window of opportunity is closing fast. The Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway, a breathtaking 28-mile route that ascends over 7,000 feet to a dizzying height of 14,130 feet, will be closing to all traffic on September 3rd.
Whether you’re traveling by car, bike, or on foot, the U.S. Forest Service has announced that access to this iconic Colorado road will be completely shut down through 2025 for essential road improvements near Summit Lake. The earliest it might reopen is Memorial Day weekend in 2026, depending on weather conditions.
The historical Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway
This road isn’t just any highway—it’s a piece of history. When it first opened to the public in 1930, it was the highest road in the world. And while it no longer holds that global title, it remains the highest paved road in North America.
Wildlife and beauty
For wildlife enthusiasts, Mount Blue Sky is renowned as one of the best spots in Colorado to catch a glimpse of mountain goats in their natural habitat. The byway also offers travelers unparalleled views of the surrounding mountains and lakes, including Mount Bierstadt, Gray Wolf Mountain, Rogers Peak, Rosalie Peak, and more.
Plan ahead
Due to the popularity and environmental sensitivity of the area, visitors need to plan ahead. You’ll need a reservation and a ticket to explore the Mount Goliath Natural Area, Summit Lake Park, or the Mount Blue Sky summit.
Last chance
With just a week left before Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway closes, this is your last chance to experience this extraordinary journey for quite some time. After September 3rd, the only way to reach the summit will be through one of the many hiking trails in the area, which offer their own rewards for those willing to make the trek. But for those who want to take the easy route to the top, the clock is ticking.
Now is the time to drive the Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway!
So, if you’ve got Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway on your bucket list, now’s the time to make the drive, snap those photos, and soak in the views. This piece of Colorado history won’t be accessible by road for a while. And remember, the byway is just a short drive—about 60 miles—from Denver, making it an easy and unforgettable day trip.
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I was born in Colorado many many years ago, and knew that we had the highest paved road in the U.S., so when I saw the headline for this article I was wondering where this “Mount Blue Sky” road was located. Then I remembered that Mt. Evans had it’s name change to Mt. Blue Sky. Name changes are certainly confusing!
Oh, yeah. It also used to be free to drive up there. Of course, the Denver metro area only had ~1 million people then instead of the ~ 3 million people there now.
Thank you, Gail! 🙂 Did not know this exists. Thank you for the information. Sounds like a road for the towed vehicle, not the RV. 🤔 Thanks again, have a great day, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂
The drive up is not for those afraid of heights. As it ascends, it gets narrower with steep drop-offs and blind curves. However, the view at the top is well worth it! Take a jacket – it is always cold and windy up there!
“With just a week left before Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway closes, this is your last chance to experience this extraordinary journey”
Promoting a limited resource, then next week we will be complaining about overcrowding. Maybe not everything needs to be publicized?
It would seem that you can’t drive it once, you need to drive it twice, as, according to Google Earth, once you get to Mount Blue Sky it’s a dead end so turn around.
Tell me why this can’t be completed faster.
I’m assuming it’s due to the small window of opportunity due to the long winter/high elevation.