Mount Evans reservations are on sale
They will be required for driving to the summit this summer
Reservations that will be required to drive the Mount Evans road this summer from Echo Lake to the 14,265-foot summit went on sale Tuesday morning.
The Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, the entity which manages the Mount Evans Recreation Area along with CDOT and Denver Mountain Parks, also announced that reservations to visit the popular Brainard Lake Recreation Area near Nederland will go on sale beginning May 26.
The Mount Evans road, which typically opens around Memorial Day, is the highest paved road in North America. A pass good for all destinations along the road will cost $15 and is good for three days, while restricted-destination passes will be available for $10 and $5. Reservations, which will cost an additional $2, can be made up to 30 days in advance.
Brainard Lake is tentatively scheduled to open June 10, but like Mount Evans, that is weather-dependent. Reservations for Brainard Lake can be made 15 days in advance and will cost $2. The Brainard Lake entry fee will be $14.
The two recreation areas are among the most popular outdoor destinations in the Front Range. Entry passes and reservations will be available through recreation.gov.
“The timed-entry program was extremely successful in reducing crowding, wait times and environmental impacts in 2021,” Reid Armstrong, public affairs specialist for Arapaho and Roosevelt forests, said in a news release. “As the program continues in 2022, we hope visitors are growing accustomed to advanced planning. Before heading out on any adventure, visitors should check the forests’ ‘Know Before You Go’ page for all the latest updates and alerts.”