5 Wheelchair Accessible Things to Do in Denver, Colorado
I visited Denver, Colorado in July 2019 and had an amazing time. Although it’s a city, there are plenty of opportunities to get out into nature. It offers the best of both worlds. These are my 5 favorite accessible things to do in Denver.
Wheelchair Accessible Things to Do in Denver Colorado
Georgetown Loop Railroad
This accessible train ride takes you through mountains and past beautiful scenery. You will even pass an old gold mine, with the option to get off the train to tour it. The mine itself is not accessible, but if you make arrangements ahead of time, they can set up an accessible station where you can pan for gold,
At the two different departure stations where you begin your ride, there are ramps up to the platform and a folding ramp that allows you to roll right on the train. There are designated areas for wheelchair users and people that have difficulty with mobility. There are no tie down straps however.
During the ride, you’ll see staff dressed up in period clothes that add to the ambiance. If you are doing a round trip tour, you will stop briefly at the gold mine, and then at the other end of the line so that the steam engine can fill up with water (which was neat to watch).
There are accessible restrooms at both departure stations. There is also a small museum that one can tour. All in all, it’s a great way to learn some history and spend half of a day.
Drive to the summit of Mount Evans.
Using your own vehicle, you can summit this incredible mountain. The summit is just over 1400 ft in elevation, so be aware of the signs of oxygen deprivation and take note if you have any breathing difficulties.
The drive is also not for the faint of heart! The road at times becomes narrow, and there are sheer drop offs. If you are afraid of heights, be aware that this will test your coping skills. On the other hand, the views are absolutely incredible!
Along the drive, there are a number of areas where you can pull off to enjoy the scenery. Most of them have accessible parking spaces. Almost all of them have “windshield views” so if you can’t find an accessible spot to get out, you can still enjoy the view.
Once at the summit, on a clear day you can see for miles. You are so close to the heavens; it almost feels like you could reach out and touch them. It was breathtaking, and not just because of the lower oxygen levels at that elevation.
You should note that the weather at the summit will be much cooler than at the base of the mountain, so make sure you bring layers. When I was there in July, it was actually snowing at the top! Also make sure to take longer stops as you drive up to allow your body time to adjust to the elevation changes.
Before you do this drive, make sure you have good brakes, they will be tested on your descent! Also make sure to have plenty of water so you can stay hydrated (don’t add more stress to your body… drink!)
For those of you who have breathing issues like myself (I use a ventilator full time), make sure to talk with your doctor before attempting something like this.
I personally didn’t have any problems but the ventilator helps me take deep breaths. I also monitored my oxygen levels using a portable pulse oximeter. Since this was my first time attempting such an elevation, I also had an oxygen concentrator in the car (just in case).
Luckily, I didn’t need to use any oxygen, but my oxygen levels did drop to 93 vs the 100 I’m usually at. I had spoken with my doctor in advance and she gave me guidelines as to what she thought was safe for my health (she didn’t want it to go below 90). Everyone is different, however, and your doctor may provide different guidelines based on your individual health.
Dinasaur Ridge
This paved walk is free to do and has good accessibility. I didn’t use the term “great” as there are some inclines during this walk that may at times be a challenge for manual wheelchair users.
Along the trail, you will have the opportunity to see fossilized Dinasaur bones in the rock and even Dinasaur footprints! There are interpretive signs along the trail. On the back portion of the trail, you can also see the Red Rock Amphitheater from a distance.
There is a small parking lot across the street from where the trail starts that has accessible parking and restrooms. Be aware that this parking lot can fill up fast as this is a popular destination.
See a show at the Red Rock Amphitheater.
Rows 1 and 70 are the only rows that offer wheelchair accessible seating. If you can manage a couple of steps, rows 2 and 3 offer seating for people with limited mobility. It is recommended that you arrive early, to ensure you get an accessible seat.
Accessible parking is available in two lots, the Top Circle lot and the Upper South lot. The Top Circle lot is used for those sitting in row 70 and the Upper South lot should be used for those sitting in row 1. There is also an accessible shuttle that will take you from the Upper South lot to row 1.
Check the website for shows, times and tickets.
Rocky Mountain National Park
This picturesque park offers great mountain views and the opportunity to see wildlife. Be on the lookout for deer, elk, moose, yellow-bellied marmot (looks kind of like a groundhog) and pika (tiny little creatures about the size of a chipmunk).
Like many other national parks, this one offers scenic drives and some accessible trails. Depending on the time of year you go, there may be road closures due to snow. There was still snow alongside the roads when I was there on July 4th!
There is an accessible shuttle bus in the Bear Lake region of the park if you don’t want to have to drive so you can enjoy the scenery.
For a more detailed report on all of the accessible things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park, check out my blog post here.
There are so many great things to do in Denver, but I only had about 3 days here, so I was only able to scrape the surface. I hope though that this list of my favorite wheelchair accessible things to do in Denver gives you a taste of just how great of a place this is to visit.
