Mount Evans Scenic Byway, Mountain road in Colorado, United States.
The Mount Evans Scenic Byway extends 28 miles from Idaho Springs to the summit, reaching an elevation of 14,271 feet above sea level.
The road received its name from John Evans, who served as the second territorial governor of Colorado from 1862 to 1865.
The byway attracts photographers and nature observers who document the seasonal changes, alpine flora, and mountain wildlife throughout the accessible months.
Visitors need to make vehicle reservations through recreation.gov and should carry warm clothing as temperatures can drop significantly at higher elevations.
Mountain goats and bighorn sheep frequently appear along the road edges, particularly during early morning hours when fewer vehicles travel the route.
Location: Colorado
GPS coordinates: 39.59000,-105.64000
Latest update: May 27, 2025 10:02
The western United States protects some of North America's most diverse natural landscapes. From the layered canyons of Canyonlands in Utah to the white gypsum dunes of White Sands in New Mexico, this region spans multiple climate zones and geological formations. Visitors find national parks, Pueblo archaeological sites and natural phenomena that document millions of years of Earth's history.The collection includes the ruins of Mesa Verde, where Ancestral Pueblo communities built cliff dwellings into sandstone alcoves from the 6th century until the late 1200s. Dinosaur National Monument preserves one of the world's most significant fossil beds, with more than 1,500 exposed dinosaur bones. Colorado's Great Sand Dunes rise to 750 feet (229 meters), making them the tallest dunes in North America. Carlsbad Caverns extends through 30 miles (48 kilometers) of underground passages with more than 120 known caves.The region's geology appears in the 2,000-foot (610-meter) depths of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison and the petrified tree trunks in Petrified Forest that date back more than 200 million years. Monument Valley presents sandstone formations rising 400 to 1,000 feet (122 to 305 meters) above the valley floor. Utah's Mystic Hot Springs feeds natural mineral pools at temperatures around 160 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit (71 to 82 degrees Celsius). Wolf Creek ski area records an average annual snowfall of 465 inches (11.4 meters).
Colorado features natural areas and historical sites away from common routes. The locations range from sand formations at Paint Mines Park to Zapata waterfalls. Bishop Castle displays hand-built stone architecture in the forest, while Devil's Causeway presents narrow rock bridges in the wilderness. Fossil discoveries, dinosaur tracks, and abandoned mining towns document the state's history.
Mount Blue Sky
367 m
Grays Peak
16 km
Mount Bierstadt
2.6 km
Echo Lake Park
8.2 km
Torreys Peak
16.6 km
Argo Gold Mine and Mill
20.5 km
Argo Tunnel
20.5 km
Summit Lake Park
1 km
Mount Sniktau
21.1 km
Mount Evans Wilderness
355 m
Crest House
301 m
Grays Peak Trail
15.7 km
Grizzly Peak
18.9 km
Bard Peak
20.2 km
Argentine Peak
12 km
Georgetown-Silver Plume Historic District
13.6 km
Mount Edwards
14.2 km
Grace Episcopal Church
13.7 km
Methodist Episcopal Church
20.1 km
Cooper Mountain
16.3 km
Idaho Springs Downtown Commercial District
20 km
Elks Lodge No. 607
20.1 km
Fraser Experimental Forest
11 km
Toll House
13.8 km
Montezuma Schoolhouse
19.4 km
Visitor Center
20.3 km
Devil's Gate High Bridge
13.6 km
Miner Street Bridge
20.1 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes