Summit Lake Park, Southern Colorado Travel Guide

4.9 (934)

Discover breathtaking alpine scenery and rare tundra at Summit Lake Park, the highest city park in North America, along Colorado's Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway.

Summit Lake Park, nestled high in the Rocky Mountains near Evergreen, Colorado, is the highest city park in North America. At an elevation of 12,836 feet, the park offers stunning alpine scenery, rare tundra plants, and wildlife viewing.

A brief summary to Summit Lake Park

Evergreen, Colorado, 80439, US
Click to display

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Summit Lake Park.

Bring layers of clothing, as the weather in the mountains can change rapidly.
Stay on designated trails to protect the fragile alpine tundra.
Be prepared for high altitude; take it easy and drink plenty of water.
Check the road conditions and opening/closing dates of the Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway before you go.

Do you manage this location?

Take control to get all the benefits, like improved information, better appearance, and stronger visibility across AI-powered discovery. Learn more about listing your business on Evendo

Activate your presence

Other nearby places you may find interesting

The closest places of the same kind, if this one is not quite what you had in mind.

Garden of the Gods

Cave of the Winds Mountain Park

Manitou Cliff Dwellings

Royal Gorge Bridge & Park

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Explore Summit Lake Park on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Summit Lake Park, mapped for you.

Unlock the Best of Summit Lake Park

Buy tickets

No tickets available

Book tours with entry

Book tours without entry

No tours available

Getting There

Driving

From Denver, take I-70 west to either Idaho Springs (Exit 240) or Bergen Park (Exit 252). Follow CO-103 (Squaw Pass Road) to Echo Lake. From Echo Lake, take the Mount Blue Sky Road. A timed entry reservation is required to access Summit Lake Park. Interagency pass holders must also make a reservation for a non-refundable $2.00 fee. The road is subject to closures due to weather. As of July 2025, a Summit Lake Park Only Vehicle Ticket costs $15.00.
Parking

Parking is available at the Denver Mountain Park's Summit Lake parking lot. Parking is free, but can be limited. Arrive early during peak season to secure a spot. Be aware that the parking lot is at a high elevation, so take it slow when walking around.

Discover more about Summit Lake Park

Summit Lake Park, a 160-acre park , is located along the Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway, approximately 64 miles west of Denver. Situated at 12,836 feet , below the summit of Mount Blue Sky, it holds the distinction of being the highest city park in North America and the highest park in the Denver Mountain Parks system.The park's unique environment provides habitat for a variety of rare alpine-arctic plants, some of which are found only in this area and above the Arctic Circle. Visitors are encouraged to stay on marked trails to protect the fragile tundra. The area is also known for its wildlife, including mountain goats. Colorado Parks and Wildlife volunteers often oversee a wildlife viewing station on weekends.Summit Lake itself is a tarn, a lake in a glacial cirque, and is the headwaters of Bear Creek. In 1965, the park was designated the first National Natural Landmark in Colorado , recognizing it as one of the best examples of Arctic tundra in the contiguous United States. A rustic stone shelter, designed by Denver architect Jules Jacques Benois Benedict, was built near the lake in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps.The Mount Blue Sky Road, which provides access to Summit Lake Park, is typically open from Memorial Day weekend through the first weekend in October, weather permitting.