The road to the summit of Mount Blue Sky, the highest paved road in North America, will only be open for a few more days before construction shuts it down through the spring of 2026.
The U.S. Forest Service announced this week that Colo. 5, known as the Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway, will close on Tuesday to all motorized and nonmotorized traffic, including cyclists and pedestrians.
The Federal Highway Administration is ready to begin a roadway construction project that will keep the beloved summit road closed until the spring of 2026, according to this week’s announcement.
Visitors still have an opportunity to reserve times to visit the byway and the summit of the 14,266-foot peak, but time slots are limited and in high demand. To make reservations to visit the summit, the Mount Goliath Natural Area or Summit Lake Park, visit recreation.gov. The areas are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Reservations must be purchased before arrival due to a lack of cell service at the welcome station.
“As one of the most visited recreation areas on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, Mount Blue Sky draws visitors from across the world. So far, more than 45,000 vehicles booked timed-entry reservations for the 2024 season,” Forest Service officials wrote in the news release.
The roadway project will close Colo. 5 from the gate near the Forest Service welcome station up to the summit parking lot. If conditions permit, the road is expected to reopen for Memorial Day weekend in 2026.
During the interim, the Mount Blue Sky summit will only be accessible via hiking trails, Forest Service officials say.
Originally Published: August 30, 2024 at 11:38 a.m.
