Wheelchair Accessible Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park
During my trip to Denver in July 2019, I knew I wanted to visit this incredible place. I love the mountains, so Rocky Mountain National Park was at the top of my bucket list. It did not disappoint! Here is my list of wheelchair accessible things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Wheelchair Accessible Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park
Scenic Drives
The park is very large, and one of the best ways to see it is by driving using your own accessible vehicle. When you enter the park, they will give you a map highlighting some of the most popular drives. We used this as our guide, and had a great time.
Remember to take your patience, as this is a very popular park and the roads will be busy. I recommend getting here early to help beat the crowds.
I wish I could say that the overlooks were more accessible, there are quite a few that don’t even have accessible parking, however this park has a lot of “windshield views” so even if you can’t get out of your car, you can still enjoy the scenery.
Here is a list of the accessible overlooks on Trail Ridge Road heading East to West (the most popular scenic drive). Information is taken from the national park service website.
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Hidden Valley (9,240 feet)
Accessible parking. Accessible restrooms. Covered picnic pavilion; accessible picnic tables. 400 feet of paved accessible trail.
Rainbow Curve Overlook (10,829 feet)
No accessible parking. Curb cut and sidewalk make area accessible. Accessible restrooms.
Forest Canyon Overlook (11,716 feet)
Accessible parking. No restrooms. No picnic tables. The paved trail to the platform at overlook is uneven and steep in places.
Rock Cut Overlook & Tundra Communities Trail (Rock Cut 12,310 feet; trail gains 260 feet)
Accessible parking with curb cuts to sidewalk. Accessible restrooms. No picnic tables. The ½-mile paved trail is steep and uneven.
Alpine Visitor Center (11,796 feet)
Accessible parking spaces. No picnic tables. Accessible restrooms (vault toilets) all season and summer (flush) at east end of visitor center. Open Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day, weather permitting. The Visitor Center information desk is accessible to wheelchairs.
Milner Pass – Continental Divide (10,758 feet)
Accessible parking. Accessible restrooms. No picnic tables.
Lake Irene (10,748 feet)
Accessible parking. Accessible restrooms. Accessible picnic tables. Trail to Lake Irene is steep and has steps.
Colorado River Trailhead (8,990 feet)
Accessible parking. Accessible restrooms. Dirt trails are uneven. The west side of Trail Ridge Road is plowed to this point in winter.
Timber Lake Trailhead (9,000 feet)
Accessible parking. Accessible restrooms. Picnic tables not accessible. Trail is not accessible.
Holzwarth Historic Site (8,884 feet)
Accessible parking but the parking lot is unpaved. Accessible restrooms. Picnic tables not accessible. Wheelchair and motorized wheelchair-accessible ½-mile gravel path to historic site is steep in places. In summer a staff-operated golf cart can take visitors to the site. Interiors of historic structures are not wheelchair accessible. walkways around the several buildings are rough and unpaved.
Bowen-Baker Gulch Trailhead (8,864 feet)
Accessible parking. Accessible restrooms. Picnic tables are not accessible.
Coyote Valley Trail (8,840 feet)
Accessible parking. Accessible restrooms. Accessible picnic tables. Wheelchair and motorized wheelchair-accessible1-mile level-grade packed gravel trail; use of gloves may be helpful.
Harbison Meadows (8,688 feet)
Accessible parking. No restrooms. The 2 accessible picnic tables are in a covered pavilion. The packed gravel path from parking area to picnic area is sloped.
Accessible Trails
National Parks do their best to provide at least one accessible trail in each park. This park has 4 trails that are either partially or fully accessible. The scenic drives alone can take all day, so if you want to do an accessible hike, plan to spend at least two days in the park.
Bear Lake (9,475 feet)
Accessible parking.
Accessible restrooms.
Bear Lake is about 200 yards from the parking area. A ½-mile packed gravel trail circles Bear Lake. The first portion of the trail is accessible in either direction; farther along, trail grades exceed 8% in places. The trail on the southwest side of the lake has log “steps;” go counterclockwise to go down these steps or clockwise to go up them; assistance may be needed.
Coyote Valley Trail (8,840 feet)
Accessible parking. Accessible picnic tables.
Accessible restrooms.
Accessible 1-mile level-grade, packed gravel trail crosses the Colorado River into the Kawuneeche Valley. The use of gloves may be helpful.
Lily Lake (8,880 feet)
Accessible parking. Accessible picnic tables.
Accessible restrooms.
Accessible 3/4-mile packed gravel circles Lily Lake. Adjoining trails are not accessible.
Accessible fishing pier.
Sprague Lake (8,690 feet)
Accessible parking. Accessible picnic tables.
Accessible restrooms.
Accessible 1/2-mile packed gravel trail circles Sprague Lake. Benches and fishing platforms are located along the trail.
Watch for Wildlife
I was lucky enough to see a wide variety of wildlife while I was in the park. The best chances of seeing wildlife are early in the morning (dawn) or later in the evening (dusk), however, since wildlife is unpredictable you could see them at any time of day.
Be on the lookout for deer, elk, moose, the yellow-bellied marmot, pika, long-horn sheep and mountain goats. When I visited, I saw all of these except for the sheep. It was so exciting to see my first moose in the wild! Watch for cars pulled alongside of the road in non-designated overlook areas…. they are there for a reason and that’s how we spotted our first moose!
Tips for Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in a Wheelchair
Please be advised that even if you visit in the summer, temperatures can still be quite cool at higher elevations. Be sure to dress in layers and bring plenty of water. When I was here in July, there was still snow alongside the road. Also take your time, as higher elevations can put more stress on your body and affect your breathing.
Since I’m on a ventilator, I made sure to talk to my doctor before coming on the trip. I also had a plan in case of an emergency. I monitored my oxygen levels using a portable pulse oximeter every hour or so and I had a portable oxygen concentrator in the car (just in case). Luckily, everything went fine and I didn’t need any oxygen.
➡️ Find the perfect gift for the national park lover in your life by checking out my other post.
Final Impressions of Wheelchair Accessibility at Rocky Mountain National Park
While this park has good accessibility, things could always be better. I had an amazing time visiting having seen stunning scenery and spotting my first moose. There were plenty of accessible restrooms throughout the park and even if not all of the overlooks had accessible parking, I was still able to see the view from my car.
If you are a mountain lover like me, I’d highly recommend you to visit. I hope that my list of wheelchair accessible things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park has inspired you to put this place on your bucket list.
