Wheelchair Accessible Things to Do in Colorado Springs
Just South and not too far from Denver is Colorado Springs, a wonderful area with lots of things to see and do. I spent 4 days here in July 2019 and had a great time. If you are planning a trip here, then here are my 5 favorite wheelchair accessible things to do in Colorado Springs.
5 Wheelchair Accessible Things to Do in Colorado Springs
1. Pikes Peak
Ok so let’s get one of the most popular sites out of the way first. There are two options for visiting this famous mountain.
The first is to drive yourself. This will allow you to take your time and pull off at any overlooks to get a better view. You can also give yourself some time to acclimate to the altitude changes (the summit is over 1400 ft.).
The second option is to take the cog railway to the summit. The total roundtrip takes about 3 hours, with 40 minutes of that time to spend at the summit. The railway allows everyone to enjoy the scenery and not worry about driving.
If you are planning on taking the cog railway, book your tickets well in advance as they do sell out. Also make sure to call ahead to let them know you’ll be using a wheelchair so they can make the necessary arrangements. They can be reached by calling 719-685-5401.
The summit of Pikes Peak has a gift shop that sells souvenirs and donuts. The donuts are delicious and a neat treat as they are made right at the summit. There is also the official Pikes Peak summit sign, in which there will be a line to take pictures in front of.
No matter how you visit Pikes Peak, you will enjoy fantastic views and a memorable day. By the way, be on the lookout for Big Foot… it is rumored that one may reside in the area. They even have a Big Foot crossing sign on the drive to the summit.
2. Garden of the Gods
This is another very popular site in Colorado Springs. The “garden” is made up of different red rock formations. There is a scenic drive that will take you past these giant sculptures as well as parking areas should you wish to walk/roll instead.
The visitor center is a great place to start your time here. It offers displays about geology and ecology as well as a short film about how these formations got here. It is also where you can get a map which talks about the different formations and where they are located.
After stopping for an introduction at the visitor center, head down Gateway Road to Garden Drive and park in the lot on the left. There are accessible spaces available as well as access to the wheelchair accessible Perkins Central Garden Trail (a paved 1.5-mile trail that takes you to the heart of the park).
I remember feeling so small and in awe of all of these magnificent formations. You could spend as much or as little time as you want here. Admission is free, so you may even choose to come back more than once!
3. Seven Falls
Take a roll through a towering gorge until you get to the end and a lovely waterfall awaits. This easy paved path follows along a stream at the bottom of a gorge, offering great views. At the end of the path, there is a small museum about the falls with an elevator that will take you to an elevated observation deck.
The waterfall itself is actually made up of 7 different falls (hence the name) to create the look of one 181 ft high waterfall. There is also an accessible viewing deck at the base of the falls. For the able-bodied and brave, you can climb the 224 steps that are next to the falls to access other hiking trails and to see the stream that feeds the falls.
The view of the gorge and waterfall was enough for me so even if I was able, I would not have climbed the steps. There is a small restaurant at the base of the falls if you wish to grab a snack while taking in the view.
Be aware that there is no parking at the gorge/falls themselves. Parking is in a separate location about a mile away. Accessible spots are available in this lot and there is a wheelchair accessible shuttle (with a lift and tie downs) that will drop you off at the entrance to the gorge.
4. Royal Gorge Route Train Ride
A short 45-minute drive from Colorado Springs in the town of Canon City, there is a train ride that will take you through the Royal Gorge and along the Arkansas River. The Royal Gorge Route Railway offers a scenic and enjoyable ride that shares the history and beauty of the area with its passengers.
The train station offers accessible restrooms and parking. Let them know you will be using a wheelchair when you book in advance, and they will have everything set up in advance upon your arrival.
There will be a wheelchair lift to help you board the train, and then you will have the option of being in the open-air outdoor car or in your designated wheelchair space in an enclosed car. When I visited, we had beautiful weather so I opted for the open-air area. It allowed you to see more of the scenery and made for better photos.
If you choose the enclosed car, it is air-conditioned and offers refreshments for a fee. You can also choose a departure that serves a meal (for an additional price).
On your journey, you will see an old gold mine as well as learn the history of the area and what part railroads played in it. One of the highlights of the trip is passing under the Royal Gorge Bridge which connects one side of the gorge to the other.
If you enjoy train rides, this is a lovely and accessible one.
5. Royal Gorge Bridge
If you are already in Canon City for the train ride I just mentioned above, then visiting the Royal Gorge Bridge is a must. This marvel of engineering will simply amaze you, and it’s a great way to spend ½ day.
There is accessible parking and restrooms on site. The bridge itself is also wheelchair accessible. You can roll across to the other side while enjoying views of the gorge and the Arkansas River below.
On the other side of the bridge, there is a theatre that will show you a short film about the construction and history of the bridge. Be aware that this side is quite hilly, so choose your route carefully. The hills do offer a great overlook of the bridge and gorge however, so it’s worth a little bit of effort.
For another view and different perspective, take the gondola across the gorge. It offers great views of the bridge and is completely wheelchair accessible. Just make sure that you get in line on the side of the gorge where you entered (the other side is higher and not accessible). Instead of getting off on the other side, like everyone else, they will have you stay in the gondola and return to where you boarded.
I really enjoyed my visit here. The scenery was beautiful and it was really impressive to learn how the bridge was built.
I had a short time in Colorado Springs, but feel I made the most of it. If you are ever in the area, it’s definitely worth a visit. I hope you’ve enjoyed my list of wheelchair accessible things to do in Colorado Springs.
