Fast Facts:
- 616.3 acres (250 ha), acquired 1920
- Forests of subalpine fir, limber pine, bristlecone pine
- Denver's only subalpine park (at 10,600 ft/3230m)
Features:
- Historic Echo Lake Lodge (1926)
- Historic stone picnic shelter (built about 1937)
- Natural 24-acre lake formed by glacial moraine
- Hiking trail around lake
- Fishing access
Overview:
Echo Lake Park, at 10,600 ft (3,230 m), represents the subalpine ecosystem, with surrounding forests of Englemann Spruce, Subalpine Fir, and Limber Pine. The 24-acre (10 ha) lake is popular for fishing and reflects wonderful views of Mt. Evans. The fen (wetland) at the east end of the lake provides important wildlife habitat; visitors are requested to stay on nearby trails.
Trails from Echo Lake Park connect to the Chicago Lakes and Bear Track Lakes trails, accessing the Mount Evans Wilderness Area and the summit of Mt. Evans.
Location and Facilities:
Echo Lake Park is 47 miles (75 km) west of Denver. Take I-70 to Idaho Springs; Exit 240 (Hwy 103) 14 miles (22 km) to Echo Lake, on the Mount Evans Scenic Byway. Alternatively, from Echo Lake, Highway 103 (Squaw Pass Road) returns to Bergen Park, creating a loop drive that connects to the
Lariat Loop Scenic & Historic Byway.
Facilities in the park include charcoal grills, picnic areas, trail around lake. Echo Lake Lodge, open seasonally May through September, includes a restaurant and gift shop (303.567.2138).
See also:
For information about Mount Evans, contact Clear Creek Ranger District at 303.567.2901 or visit the
Mount Evans Scenic & Historic Byway website. The Forest Service recently opened a new interpretive center at the Mt. Goliath Bristlecone Pine area, about six miles from Echo Lake.
The U.S. Forest Service charges an access fee for use of services along Mount Evans Road (Hwy 5), including
Summit Lake Park. Denver's share of the fees collected supports maintenance and improvements at Summit Lake Park.
The Denver Mountain Parks system is on the National Register of Historic Places as a multiple properties listing. All parks are considered natural areas, and all wildlife and plants are protected and preserved.