Cecilia - Accessible Nature

Denver Mountain Parks

Denver Mountain Parks and another smaller website on Denver Mountain Parks.

Chief Hosa Braille Trail for visually impaired hikers, Colorado — Chief Hosa Braille Trail, Colorado

Chief Hosa Braille Nature Trail is within Denver’s Genesee Park. Take I-70 west to exit 153 “Chief Hosa”. At the off-ramp stop sign, turn north, then turn right on to a dirt road -Stapleton Drive. Follow Stapleton Drive about 1 mile to the trailhead for the Braille Nature Trail. The trail has a vinyl-coated cable for guiding visually-impaired people. Metal interpretive signs along the trail in Braille and printed words explain the surrounding ecology. The signs are great, but some scumbag(s) have shot up some of them. The trail is about a third of a mile through forest and is not wheelchair accessible.

The alpine trail between Summit Lake and the Chicago Lakes Overlook has just recently been redone to be wheelchair accessible. Summit Lake is about 12,800′ above sea level. The air is thin, temperatures are likely to be chilly, and it can snow anytime of year. It is also beautiful! GPS at parking lot: N39° 35.904 W105° 38.430.

Accessible trail from Summit Lake on Mount Evans, CO — Accessible trail from Summit Lake to Chicago Lakes Overlook on Mount Evans CO

View of Chicago Lakes from wheelchair accessible trail at Summit Lake CO

Accessible trail from Summit Lake to Overlook trail — Accessible Trail from Summit Lake to Chicago Lakes Overlook

Echo Lake is another Denver Mountain Park. GPS for eastern (uphill) end: N39° 39.382 W105° 35.820. GPS for western (downhill) end: N39° 39.617 W105° 36.281. Although not signed as wheelchair accessible, the short trail between the Lodge and Echo Lake is a gentle downhill trip on crusher fines that takes you through the englemann spruce forest to the lake. There is parking at both ends of the trail, so someone could be dropped off at the top and join their group at the lake. It is not a loop trail.

Accessible fishing platform Echo Lake, CO — One of three accessible fishing platforms at Echo Lake, CO.

Eroded part of mostly accessible Echo Lake Trail, CO — The only rough part of Echo Lake trail – a short eroded stretch on otherwise accessible trail.

Spur trail to Echo Lake CO — 50′ west of the yellow rock is this pretty, accessible spur trail to the edge of Echo Lake

Boulder Open Space

Bicyclist on Marshal Mesa Tr. — Bicyclist on rough patch of Marshall Mesa Trail

Boulder Open Space The city of Boulder has a great web page devoted to accessible trails. There is also an amazing online book with detailed descriptions of Accessible Trails & Natural Sites in the Boulder area. The floods of 2013 severely damaged many of the trails. Check with Boulder Open Space for trail conditions.

Marshall Mesa Trail Boulder describes this trail as “appropriate for wheelchair users who are looking for an extra challenge”. I should say so. I watched a boy of about 10 who was having difficulty bicycling up the short rough stretch that is about 13% grade.

Hikers on partly wheelchair accessible Marshal Mesa Loop Trail, Boulder Co. Open Space, Colorado between Golden and Boulder — Hikers on partly wheelchair accessible Marshal Mesa Loop Trail, Boulder Co. Open Space, between Golden and Boulder, Colorado

Wheelchair accessible crossing at ditch on Marshall Mesa Trail, Boulder Open Space, Colorado

Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat.

Walden Ponds is at 75th St. between Valmont and Jay Roads. The reclaimed gravel pits are a great place for viewing waterfowl. The 2.9 miles of flat dirt trails connect to the also very easy Sawhill Ponds trails. There is a wheelchair accessible boardwalk, a picnic table, and a fishing pier. When dry, most of the trails appear to be wheelchair accessible.

Wheelchair accessible boardwalk at Walden Ponds — Wheelchair accessible boardwalk into marsh at Walden Ponds, Boulder Open Space, Colorado

Walden Ponds from wheelchair accessible trail — Walden Ponds from accessible trail

Tracks across ice at Walden Ponds, Boulder Open Space, Colorado — Animal tracks on ice at Walden Ponds, Boulder Open Space, Colorado

Staunton State Park

Staunton State Park phone 303-816-0912
Staunton State Park, north of US285 near Shaffer’s Crossing, is the most recently opened of Colorado’s state parks. The park features high grassy meadows at 8,100 feet in altitude to granite cliffs over 10,000 feet. “Staunton State Park’s varied geology, soils, water features, and climate support rare and unexpected plant communities and a rich diversity of wildlife…”
Although not listed as “accessible” several of the trails are smooth and easy. We walked just the lower first 2 miles of the Staunton Ranch trail, which meant a 4 mile round trip and my (then) 88 year old husband had no problem with it. Here is the Park’s website. There is a 20′ by 12′ ADA access fishing pier at the Davis Ponds. AllTrails’ description Park Brochure Trail Map Leashed pets are allowed.
A wonderful new development at Staunton is their motorized track chair. Call ahead to reserve the chair, which can be used on 10-15 miles of trail within the park. There is no extra charge other than the park’s pass required of everyone.

Hiker on Easy David Ponds Loop Trail Staunton State Park CO — Easy Davis Ponds Loop Trail, Staunton State Park

Davis Ponds Loop trail 2.3 miles is easy and has been recently improved. There are a couple of places that might be a little steep without brakes, but I have seen steeper labeled “wheelchair accessible”.

Roxborough State Park

Roxborough State Park
This beautiful park near Denver is a designated National Natural Landmark. “The park, with close to 4000-acres, is filled with dramatic red-rock formations, distinct plant communities, and a host of wildlife ranging from black bears to mule deer.” There are accessible restrooms and a visitor center. The park is day use only. Phone 303-973-3959 Here is the park website. Trails Brochure and Trail Map

? The Fountain Valley Trail is basically a 2.3 mile dirt road and can be wheelchair accessible with assistance during dry seasons. There may be some erosion in places, so be sure to call ahead. It does not qualify for ADA designation.

The Roxborough Ride for mobility-impaired visitors to Roxborough State Park, CO — The Roxborough Ride gives disabled visitors a naturalist-led tour of the Fountain Valley Trail.

You can ride this trail in the “Roxborough Ride”, a golf cart seating 6 guests and a volunteer driver/naturalist guide. Although the Ride is free, donations are requested. Each disabled person must be accompanied by an able person to help them on and off the cart. The ride is usually scheduled for Saturdays and Sundays and reservations are wise. Call the park, 303-973-3959, for more information.

Sentinel Rock on wheelchair-acccessible-with-assistance easy hiking Fountain Valley Trail, Roxborough State Park CO — Fountain Valley Trail, wheelchair-accessible-with-assistance. Roxborough State Park CO

Although the shorter Willow Creek trail is not wheelchair accessible, I have done it with a walker. Roxborough is truly beautiful and surprisingly peaceful, given its proximity to Denver.

Eldorado State Park

Eldorado State Park
Eldorado State Park, near Boulder west of highway 93 is a day use park which offers hiking between sandstone cliffs, picnicking along along South Boulder Creek and views of climbers on spectacular rock exposures. GPS at entrance station: N39° 55.923 W105° 16.839.
Here is their website. Phone 303-494-3943 Trails Map and Brochure

The Fowler Trail is a self-guided nature walk built for wheelchair use. There is one rather narrow spot, but I was assured that people negotiate it without problems. It is about 1/2 a mile long and has great views. Bring your own binoculars as the two telescopes set up for viewing raptors (or climbers) on the other side of South Boulder Creek are too high for viewing from a wheelchair.

Looking east from wheelchair accessible Fowler Trail, Eldorado State Park CO

Chatfield State Park

Chatfield State Park
This state park surrounds Chatfield Reservoir, southwest of Denver. Together they comprise 3,895 acres of water and mostly flat land. Recreational activities here include hiking, horseback riding, fishing, boating, swimming and camping. Chatfield is a good place for birding. Wildlife includes muskrat, coyote, foxes, white-tailed deer and bear.
Phone 303-791-7275 Park website Trails Trail Map Park Brochure
The Chatfield Internal Trails network is 10 miles of ADA accessible paved trail. The Chatfield Dam Trail is 2.4 miles of ADA accessible asphalt.

Castlewood Canyon State Park

Castlewood Canyon State Park
Castlewood Canyon State Park near Franktown, Colorado has wheelchair accessible trails as well as more difficult hikes into the canyon. The park is the site of the Castlewood Dam which burst in 1933, sending the waters of Cherry Creek into Denver in a 15′ wave. Leashed pets are welcome on most trails. The east side, where the Visitor Center is, has two concrete-paved trails, picnic tables, an amphitheater, and an easy walking trail. Here is their website. Trails Map Phone 303-688-5242

The Canyon View Nature Walk is 1.2 miles between parking lots and is ADA accessible.

The Bridge Canyon Overlook trail is 400 ft one way.

The first few hundred feet of so of the Lake Gulch trail, leading north from the parking lot has spectacular views of Pikes Peak. Eventually it drops down in a set of difficult steps.

Looking North from Accessible Bridge Canyon Overlook, Castlewood Canyon State Park CO — View from Bridge Canyon Overlook, Castlewood Canyon State Park

Wheelchair accessible paved Canyon View Trail, Castlewood Canyon State Park, CO — Wheelchair accessible Canyon View Trail, Castlewood Canyon State Park

Rocky Mountain Arsenal

Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
The Rocky Mountain Arsenal northeast of Denver, Colorado occupies more than 15,000 acres and has many easy hiking trails and a self-guided Wildlife Drive auto tour. Visitor activities include wildlife observation, photography, environmental education, nature programs, and fishing. You may see over 330 species of wildlife there. Trails and Wildlife Tour map Although I have been told there are ADA-compliant trails there, the brochure only gives the lengths of the many short trails. Location map
The Arsenal’s website. The Visitor Center phone is 303-289-0930

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument preserves fossils from 34 million years ago at the site of the Eocene-era Lake Florissant, which was inundated with volcanic ash. The ash has preserved an amazing assortment of plants, fish, spiders, and insects whose fossil remains can be seen at the visitor center. You will also see huge petrified tree stumps. There are 14 miles of hiking trails there, most of them pretty easy and one fully accessible. Check with the Visitor Center to determine their condition and suitability for you.

The Monument has a non-motorized wheelchair with large, inflatable tires that can be requested and borrowed for daily use.”
Here is their website. Accessibility Map of hiking trails. Phone 719-748-3253
Ponderosa Loop Trail, 0.5 mile self-guided trail. It may be covered by snow in the winter.
Petrified Forest Loops 1.0 mile self-guided.

San Juan National Forest

San Juan National Forest
The San Juan National Forest has the wheelchair accessible Big Al trail and a short paved trail at Animas Overlook as well as accessible fishing at Andrews Lake. The Forest occupies 1.8 million acres of high alpine peaks and meadows to desert mesas in southwest Colorado. This beautiful area includes the South San Juan, Hermosa, Weminuche and Lizard Head Wilderness areas. Phone 970-247-4874
Here is their website.
Thank you to Jack Olson and to Mark Winkworth for the following information:
Big Al Trail 0.5 mile “surfaced, barrier-free trail leading…to a deck overhanging West Mancos Canyon. Interpretive signs point out flora and fauna, and there are benches for resting. The trailhead is across from the campground entrance.” From World Travel Blog (which includes directions to the trailhead): The trail “provides spectacular views of the west Mancos Canyon within the La Plata Mountains. With a total ascent of 53 feet over a half mile, this hike can be completed by anyone, including those in wheelchairs.”
Animas Overlook Trail a “short paved but rough trail” in the area of a good picnic spot up the Junction Creek Road overlooking the north Animas Valley.

Mark Winkworth writes that there is accessible fishing at Andrew’s Lake.