RV route guide
Mount Evans Scenic Byway (Mount Blue Sky) — 14,265 ft summit
The highest paved road in North America. 30-foot length limit. Limited season. Free, but reservations required.
Mount Evans Scenic Byway (now officially renamed Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway as of 2024) climbs from Idaho Springs, Colorado, to a 14,265-foot summit — the highest paved road in North America. The 28-mile drive includes the upper reaches of the Mount Blue Sky Wilderness. USFS posts a 30-foot vehicle length limit. The road is closed annually mid-October through Memorial Day. As of 2026, USFS requires advance vehicle reservations through Recreation.gov during the operating season.
- Tier
- Scenic byway
- State
- Colorado
- Best season
- Memorial Day weekend through mid-October. Earliest snow possible September.
- Sources
- Cited official (.gov / .org)
Can I drive Mount Evans / Mount Blue Sky in an RV?
Only if your RV is under 30 feet long. USFS posts and enforces a 30-foot length limit. The road is also reservation-required during operating season. Class B campervans and small Class C motorhomes qualify; larger rigs are excluded. The summit is the highest paved point in North America at 14,265 ft. The route also has bristlecone pine groves over 1,500 years old, mountain goats, and panoramic Continental Divide views.
- 30-ft length limit (USFS posted)
- Reservation required via Recreation.gov
- Highest paved road in North America
- Memorial Day to mid-October only
- Bristlecone pines over 1,500 years old en route
At a glance
Route facts worth checking before you roll out
Conservative, source-minded numbers for planning — always confirm against current conditions and state DOT 511 before you depart.
Distance
28 mi
Idaho Springs to summit
Drive time
1.5–2.5 hr
Each way
Elevation
7,500–14,265 ft
RV compatibility
Small RV only (Class B / van)
Max length 30 ft
Best season
Memorial Day weekend through mid-October. Earliest snow possible September.
Cell coverage. Spotty. Verizon best. AT&T weaker.
Elevation profile
Climbs from 7,500 ft at Idaho Springs to 14,265 ft at summit.
Vehicle restrictions
- 30-foot length limit (USFS-enforced)
- Reservation required during operating season
- Sustained 5-8% grade
- Closed mid-October through Memorial Day
The Mount Blue Sky renaming + the cultural context
In 2024, the US Board on Geographic Names formally renamed Mount Evans to Mount Blue Sky. The renaming was led by Cheyenne and Arapaho nations and approved after years of advocacy. The byway name has shifted in USFS signage and in newer maps. Older maps and signage may still use 'Mount Evans.'
The renaming reflects a broader process across the West — geographic features named for historical figures with violent legacies toward Indigenous communities are being reconsidered. Mount Evans was named for John Evans, a territorial governor whose actions contributed to the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864.
For travelers, the road is the same road. Use either name in conversation and on navigation apps; both still resolve. The official USFS signage now uses Mount Blue Sky.
Indigenous geographic renaming
Acknowledging the Cheyenne + Arapaho renaming
The Mount Blue Sky name was selected by the Cheyenne and Arapaho nations whose ancestral lands include the mountain. The name reflects ceremonial significance and replaces a name that honored a colonial-era governor with documented involvement in the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre.
Travelers visiting the mountain are welcomed but invited to acknowledge that this is sacred ground for the Cheyenne and Arapaho. Leaving no trace, observing wilderness rules, and respecting cultural significance is appropriate behavior.
Acknowledgements
- Cheyenne Nation
- Arapaho Nation
Real warnings
30-foot limit is enforced
USFS rangers measure at the gate.
cautionReservation required
Without a Recreation.gov reservation, you will be turned back at the gate.
cautionLightning above treeline
Plan a morning ascent. Be off the summit by noon during storm season.
dangerMountain goats are wild
Maintain distance. Do not feed. Goats have charged visitors who approached too closely.
caution
Frequently asked questions
- Is it still called Mount Evans?
- Older maps and signage use Mount Evans. Newer signage uses Mount Blue Sky. The official USGS-approved name is Mount Blue Sky as of 2024. Both names refer to the same peak.
- How do I reserve?
- Through Recreation.gov. Reservations open in advance — check current opening windows. Day-of walk-up access is not guaranteed.
- What's at the summit?
- A summit overlook, the historic Crest House ruins (open-air interpretive site), and panoramic views. Limited parking; rangers manage turnover.
Authoritative sources
Verify current conditions with state DOT 511 systems before departure. RV restrictions may change. Weather may close roads.
Cultural respect
This route crosses or commemorates lands and histories of Indigenous, African American, or other communities. Travel with cultural awareness. Visit tribal cultural centers and support tribal-owned businesses. Respect photography restrictions and sacred sites.
Planning an RV trip along Mount Evans Scenic Byway (Mount Blue Sky)?
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