Peaks · Colorado

Longs Peak, 14,259 feet

The highest summit in Rocky Mountain National Park, reached by the Keyhole Route, which the Park Service is clear is a climb, not a hike. Here's the route, the rules, and how to get the summit photo.

Turn your Longs Peak summit photo into a charm

Sample summit photo, not a customer's climb: A climber in a helmet on the granite summit of Longs Peak holding a cardboard sign reading LONGS PEAK 14,259 FT — **Sample Summit.** An example of the kind of Longs Peak photo you could turn into a charm.

Longs Peak at a glance

Summit elevation: 14,259 feet (4,345 meters), the Park Service figure. NOAA's preliminary 2024 survey puts it about 3 feet lower.^1,2,6
Standing: The highest summit in Rocky Mountain National Park¹
Where: Rocky Mountain National Park, managed by the National Park Service. The Keyhole Route starts at the Longs Peak Trailhead.²
The Keyhole Route: 7.5 miles from the trailhead to the summit, 15 miles round trip. It averages 10 to 15 hours, so the Park Service says to start before sunrise.^2,3
It's a climb: The Park Service says the Keyhole Route is not a hike. Past the Boulder Field you cross the Ledges, the Trough, the Narrows and the Homestretch, with exposed scrambling, narrow ledges, loose rock and falling rocks. A slip, trip or fall could be fatal, and most accidents happen on the way down.^1,2,3
Season: The most snow and ice free stretch is usually mid July through mid September, but winter conditions can show up any time of year.^2,3
Entry and timed entry: A park entrance pass is always required. In 2026, timed entry reservations covered the Longs Peak area from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., May 22 through October 12. You can enter before 9 a.m. or after 2 p.m. without one.^4,5
Weather: In June, July and August, expect afternoon thunderstorms and lightning. Plan to be back below treeline before they build, and turn around if the weather changes.^1,2

The Homestretch and the summit

The last pitch is the Homestretch, a polished granite slab that guards the summit. The Park Service pages we read don't describe a summit sign, and it's common to share the top with hundreds of people. If you carried your own sign up, we keep it right in your hands in your charm.

Getting the photo

Take it on top, not on the Ledges or the Narrows. Keep your hands free for the climbing.
Get your whole body in, head to boots, with the open sky and the high country behind you.
Be quick. The summit is only halfway, and the Park Service says to get off early before afternoon storms.

Longs Peak questions

How tall is Longs Peak?

The National Park Service lists 14,259 feet (4,345 meters). It's the highest summit in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Is the Keyhole Route a hike?

No. The Park Service calls it a climb, a classic mountaineering route with exposed scrambling, narrow ledges and loose rock where a fall could be fatal. Be ready to turn around at any point.

How long does the Keyhole Route take?

It's 15 miles round trip and averages 10 to 15 hours. The Park Service says to start before sunrise and be below treeline before afternoon storms.

Do you need a reservation to climb Longs Peak?

You always need a park entrance pass. In 2026, timed entry covered the Longs Peak area from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., May 22 through October 12, and you could enter before 9 a.m. without a reservation. Check the park's page for the current season.

Carry your Longs Peak climb

You trained all season for this one. A pre-dawn start, the Keyhole, the Narrows and the Homestretch. We cut your summit photo to your outline so you can clip the hardest day of your summer to your pack.

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Proud of someone who just made the top? Use the photo they sent you and give them their summit to carry. How gifting works

Sources

National Park Service, Rocky Mountain, Longs Peak, Keyhole Route.
National Park Service, Rocky Mountain, Longs Peak Keyhole Route: frequently asked questions.
National Park Service, Rocky Mountain, Longs Peak Keyhole Route site bulletin (PDF).
National Park Service, Rocky Mountain, Timed entry permit system.
National Park Service, Rocky Mountain, Fees & passes.
NOAA National Geodetic Survey, preliminary 2024 summit heights for Colorado peaks.

Route conditions, timed entry dates and fees change every year. Check with Rocky Mountain National Park before you go. Facts checked October 2026.