Summit Lake Park Only Vehicle Ticket
Mount Blue Sky Recreation Area Timed Tickets
Provides access for one private vehicle or motorcycle to access Summit Lake Park only.
If you are arriving at Summit Lake prior to 8:00AM and are parked in the fee area you are required to display your reservation for the 8AM entry time.
If the 8AM entry time is sold out, please do not buy the 10AM reservation and enter prior to 10AM. In this case you need to enter between 10-12PM.
At an elevation of 12,840 feet, Summit Lake Park anchors the high-altitude end of the Mountain Parks system. The 160-acre park is surrounded by National Forest lands and the Mount Evans Wilderness is managed under a Forest Service partnership with the City and County of Denver, Denver Mountain Parks division.
For more information about Summit Lake Park https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/denver-parks-and-recreation/parks/mountain-parks/summit-lake-park.html
Map of Summit Lake Park https://www.denvergov.org/content/dam/denvergov/Portals/747/documents/ParkArt/SummitLake_ParkMap.pdf
The average time spent along the Scenic Drive is 2 hours.
Need to Know
- Reservation Details
The reservation for Summit Lake Park is a 1 Day vehicle or motorcycle ticket for the reserved date and time listed on this ticket and for day use only.
- Entry Requirements
Print or download your reservation to your phone prior to leaving a near by town with cell service. There is NO cell service at the Welcome Station.
Be ready to present a printed or digital copy of reservation at the facility Welcome Station. If you have a printed ticket, please place on dash of your vehicle; photo ID will be required.
- Pass Holders
Interagency pass holders are required to make an entry time reservation and the non-refundable $2.00 fee applies. This includes Interagency annual, senior, military volunteer, 4th grade and access passes. Please be prepared to show your pass with your reservation ticket.
- Cancellations & Refunds
Cancellations must be made up to 24 hours in advance for refund minus $2 processing fee. No refunds for no shows or cancellations less than 24 hours in advance.
- Regulations
Tickets are non-transferable and cannot be sold, copied or auctioned.
- Pets
Pets must be kept on a handheld leash at all times, and they cannot be kept in an unattended vehicle.
- Driving the Scenic Road
The Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway climbs more than 7,000 feet in just 28 miles, reaching an altitude of 14,130 feet. The views are breath taking, but the road is in poor condition and has no guardrails so be prepared for slow and possible difficult driving conditions. Also beware there are many bicyclists that cycle this road.
The maximum allowable length for vehicles is 30 feet due to the narrow steep and winding road. Motorhomes are not recommended.
- Weather/Hazards
Conditions can change quickly and drastically on Mount Blue SKy. The road can close any day throughout the summer due to winter-like conditions.
Road damage near Summit Lake Park, Slow Down before approaching.
- Closure/Construction Information
Improvements to a section of Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway (Colo. Highway 5) will impact visitors in 2024 and 2025. Construction will begin in late July or early August 2024 with a temporary lane closure in the project area near Summit Lake. Visitors may experience traffic delays. Starting Sept. 3, 2024, through all of 2025, Mount Blue Sky Highway will be closed to motorized and non-motorized travel (foot, bike, etc.). A public closure area will span from the CDOT gate on Colo. Highway 5 through the project area, above Summit Lake. Access to the Mount Blue Sky summit will only be available from various hiking trails. The area will reopen, as conditions allow, on Memorial Day weekend 2026.
