Mount Blue Sky scenic byway reopens Memorial Day

Denver Mountain Parks and the U.S. Forest Service said the Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway is set to reopen on Friday, May 22, weather permitting, after an extended closure for road work and drainage repairs. The road to the summit has been closed since Labor Day 2024 while crews rebuilt damaged sections of the high-alpine route, according to the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests. The reopening restores public vehicle access ahead of Memorial Day weekend to one of Colorado’s best-known seasonal drives. The byway runs 28 miles from Idaho Springs and climbs more than 7,000 feet to 14,130 feet, according to the Forest Service. State and federal tourism pages describe it as the highest paved road in North America. Officials said reservations are required for vehicle entry when the road reopens. ### Why was the road closed for so long? Labor Day 2024 marked the start of the closure, which the Forest Service said was needed for roadway construction led through the Federal Highways Administration’s Federal Lands Access Program. The agency said crews were addressing severe buckling and water drainage problems on the upper road. A 2024 Forest Service notice had already said the area was expected to reopen on Memorial Day weekend 2026, subject to conditions. (fs.usda.gov) The Forest Service said the Mount Blue Sky Recreation Area draws more than 100,000 visitors annually. During the closure, access to the summit remained available only by hiking trails, while the public road closure extended from the gate near the welcome station to the summit parking area. ### What exactly is reopening this weekend? (fs.usda.gov) Friday, May 22, is the date Denver Mountain Parks and the Forest Service have given for reopening the recreation area and summit road, with multiple local reports saying the timing is aimed at Memorial Day weekend travel. The Colorado Department of Transportation’s byway page says the road from Echo Lake Lodge to the top of Mount Blue Sky is scheduled to open on the 2026 Memorial Day weekend, pending weather and unforeseen circumstances. (fs.usda.gov) Idaho Springs is the starting point for the scenic byway, and the route passes sites including Echo Lake, Summit Lake and the Mount Goliath area, according to federal and local tourism information. Denver Botanic Gardens said the first stop along the road is the Mount Goliath Nature Center, which serves trails through alpine gardens and bristlecone pines. (denver7.com) ### How do visitors get in now? Reservations opened on May 8 for the 2026 season, according to local television and newspaper reports citing Denver Mountain Parks. The Colorado Department of Transportation says reservations are required for vehicle entry and directs visitors to Recreation.gov to create an account and purchase a ticket. (fs.usda.gov) 9News reported that an all-sites pass costs $20, motorcycle reservations cost $15 and bicycle access is free. The Denver Post reported that timed reservations can be booked up to 30 days in advance. ### What should travelers watch before they go? Colorado officials said the reopening remains weather dependent, and the state’s road conditions page points travelers to the Colorado Department of Transportation’s interactive map for current conditions. (denver7.com) The byway’s own state page repeats that the summit road opening is subject to weather and unforeseen circumstances even after construction was completed in 2025. (9news.com) Memorial Day weekend travelers planning the drive can check Recreation.gov for timed-entry availability and state road-condition updates before leaving for Idaho Springs. The road is scheduled to reopen on May 22, and officials have tied that access to seasonal conditions at the summit. (codot.gov) (co.colorado.gov)