Summit Lake sits at 12,830 feet in Clear Creek County, making it the highest city park in North America and one of Colorado's most breathtaking alpine destinations. Perched in a dramatic glacial cirque just below the summit of Mount Blue Sky (formerly Mount Evans), this forty-acre tundra lake draws visitors who want to stand above treeline and take in views that stretch across the Continental Divide. The drive up Mount Evans Scenic Byway is an experience in itself, climbing through dense forest, past ancient bristlecone pines, and into open alpine tundra before reaching the lake's shoreline.
Summit Lake earned designation as Colorado's first National Natural Landmark in 1965, and that distinction is well deserved. The surrounding tundra supports rare Arctic and alpine plant species, including several that otherwise grow only above the Arctic Circle. During July and August, the meadows surrounding the lake burst with wildflowers, attracting photographers and botanists from across the country. Mountain goats frequently wander the rocky slopes above, and pikas can be heard chirping from the talus fields nearby.
Hikers use Summit Lake as a starting point for summit bids on Mount Blue Sky, one of Colorado's famous fourteeners. The trail from the lake climbs roughly 1,400 vertical feet to the 14,264-foot summit, making it one of the more accessible fourteener routes in the state. A short walk from the parking area leads to the Chicago Lakes Overlook, where you can peer down into a chain of alpine lakes far below. Both routes are manageable for families and hikers with moderate fitness, though the thin air at this altitude demands a slower pace.
Visitors should plan for rapidly changing weather conditions at this elevation. Temperatures can drop 30 degrees in minutes, and afternoon thunderstorms roll in with little warning during summer months. The road to Summit Lake typically opens in late May and closes after Labor Day, depending on snow conditions. There is no cell phone service at the lake, so download maps and plan your route before you leave the trailhead. A Recreation Fee or America the Beautiful pass is required to drive the Mount Evans Road. Arrive early on weekends to secure parking, as the lot fills quickly by mid-morning during peak season.