Mt. Evans With Kids: An Accessible Colorado Fourteener

When visiting Colorado, a trip to the mountains is almost a necessity. Sure, Denver is nice, but the mountains are always calling. Unfortunately, with kids, sometimes, the peaks are just out of hiking reach. Years back, one of my cousins, a native Coloradan, mentioned that when she’s back home for a short trip but needs to see the peaks to reacclimate, she heads to Mt. Evans. Mt. Evans, a Colorado 14er, is extremely accessible and, in fact, it features the highest paved road in North America. You can feel like you’re standing on top of the world in just hours.

Mt. Evans Scenic Byway, Idaho Springs, Colorado

Get ready to visit a Colorado 14er with your kids:

Basic Info
What To Know
Tips for visiting Mt. Evans with kids
- Junior Ranger
- Don’t be afraid to stop
- Lookout for the wildlife
- Be prepared for the weather and dizziness
Mt. Evans FAQ

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Basic Info

Address: CO-5, Idaho Springs, Colorado
Directions: From Denver, you’ll head to Idaho Springs and get onto CO-103 to start the trip on the Mount Evans Scenic Byway.
When: Due to snow and weather, the road is generally only open from Memorial Day to Labor Day so keep that in mind when planning your trip.
Admission: $15.00 per vehicle and a $2.00 reservation fee.
Reservation: There are time slots that you need to reserve to visit Mt. Evans.
- For ticket reservation, note that 75% of the tickets are available 30 days in advance for a given time slot. They hold 25% to be released two days prior as well so you can plan early or pretty late to go.
- They recommend that you visit as close to the time you’ve chosen as you can. You can’t enter earlier than your reservation time. However, once you’ve entered, you can stay for the entire day.
- You need to have a printed or digital copy of your reservation that can be scanned to enter. They want people to note that there is no cell service at the Welcome Station, so if on the phone, save as an image as you won’t be able to access everything.
- Reservation holders should be prepared to present their photo ID.

What To Know

As I mentioned in the intro, Mt. Evans is a Colorado 14er. If you visit Colorado enough, you’ll often here locals talk about the mountains that exceed 14,000 feet in elevation. For many, these mountains become bucket list items that you want to collect. There are 54 14ers and most are not that easy to get to the top of. The altitude is insane and can cause altitude sickness and there is a risk of lightning at the top of these peaks that does kill.

Mt. Evans is one of two fourteeners that you can access by driving to the top, the other being Pike’s Peak. The Mount Evans Scenic Byway climbs more than 7,000 feet in just 28 miles to reach an altitude of 14,130 feet. The Mount Evans Scenic Byway starts on State Highway 103 from Idaho Springs and goes 13 miles to Echo Lake. From there, it’s 15 miles on Colorado 5 to the summit.

Mt. Evans used to be known as Mount Rosa or Mount Rosalie, a moniker given to the mountain by Albert Bierstadt for the wife of Fitz Hugh Ludlow, whom he later married. The name also pays homage to Monte Rosa, the highest peak in Switzerland. Albert Bierstadt first ascended the mountain in 1863 with guide William Newton Byers. In 1895, the Colorado legislature officially named the peak of the mountain in honor of John Evans, the second governor of the Colorado Territory from 1862 to 1865.

In recent years, however, there has been much discussion on John Evans’ role in the Sand Creek Massacre which resulted in the murders of more than 230 Cheyenne and Arapaho people, mostly women, children, and elders. As a disgraced territorial governor, many feel this great mountain should not be named in his honor at all. Renaming can take up to a year, but the Geographic Naming Advisory Board swiftly decided and voted unanimously to do so. Now it’s on to the governor to pass and soon the mountain may be known as Mount Blue Sky.

Tips for visiting Mt. Evans with kids

Junior Ranger

Recommended for ages 7-12

Much like other stops in Colorado, including Garden of the Gods, there is a Junior Ranger packet which you can pick up at the beginning when you pay to enter. This was fantastic for our little one who was learning about the local wildlife, it also let us know what to be on the lookout for, and she learned the flora and fauna situation. If your kids don’t get carsick, this would be a great way to keep them interested and motivated on the way up. Present the finished packet as you leave so your child can receive the sticker/badge of completion.

Don’t be afraid to stop

There are some fantastic stop offs as you begin to ascend the mountain. Driving up the entire way in the car can be exciting and not at the same time especially if you have little ones in the back that can’t see out the windows. Be sure to stop and let them get out to take in the views.

We pulled over to walk along a short forest trail in the pine trees near the Dos Chappell Nature Center, stopped at Echo Lake to see how cold the water was and check out the authentic 1926 log cabin, and found snow in the summer. Get out of the car at the Walter Pesman Alpine Garden and see 1700 year old Bristlecone pines. This will also help with acclimating to the elevation changes.

Lookout for the wildlife

The wildlife on the mountain really blends in and you’ll be driving and likely not notice just how many animals are around the roads. At times, the animals are even on the road, so do go slowly and be aware of your surroundings. Be sure to help your little ones spot the wildlife that adeptly blends in with their surroundings. The Junior Ranger book I mentioned above will really help you know what to be on the lookout for as well.

You’ll be able to see marmots, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, elk, and more… if you’re paying attention. Cars on the road go slow and often stop as people take in the animals around them so no need to rush. Put your windows down and see what you can see. Make sure you know the rules about the animals as well. Don’t chase, feed, or harass them.

Be prepared for the weather and dizziness

Even in the summer, there is a drastic temperature difference from when you start to the peak. Be prepared with jackets. It can be very windy at the top and quite chilling if you’re unprepared. Temperatures drop 3.5 degrees Fahrenheit for every 1,000 feet of elevation that you climb. If you’re headed there from Denver, that’s a 9,000 foot gain so the temperature can be more than 30 degrees different at the summit. Sounds crazy, but it’s true!

At the peak, it’s also common to feel a bit dizzy or nauseous, especially after having climbed up to the top so quickly. We weren’t able to stay at the peak for too long as everyone was quite dizzy. Another reason to take your time as you make your way up and stop regularly. Make sure to bring plenty of water for the kids to drink. It is NOT recommended to drink anything that is bubbly as carbonated beverages can really make those bellies ache as you gain elevation. Listen to your bodies and tell the kids to let you know if they’re feeling bad. As quickly as those feelings come on, they quickly subside when descending again.

Mt. Evans FAQ

Is Mt. Evans getting renamed?

In March of 2022, it was voted to rename Mt. Evans to Mount Blue Sky to honor the Indigenous people of Colorado. Check out the “What To Know” section above with more information on why the name change and when you might be expected to start calling it Mount Blue Sky instead.

Can you visit Mt. Evans without a reservation?

It depends how you’re visiting. Hikers and bikers do not require a reservation however, if you’re visiting by car and plan to drive to the summit, then a reservation is required.