Best Wheelchair Accessible Outdoor Activities in Denver

Best Wheelchair Accessible Outdoor Activities in Denver

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This summer with all of its new complications and restrictions, it’s is a great summer to explore local places. It’s STAYCATION time!!

Each of these locations are able to be visited using local and regional RTD busses and light rail trains.

Washington Park

Washington Park is one of the best and most famous parks in Denver. It is composed of an inner and outer loop. The inner loop is paved and is approximately 2 miles around. It is composed of two lanes, one for faster-moving traffic, and one for leisure. The outer is slightly larger and has a gravel pathway, if your castors can take it. It is a fun place to walk around or have a picnic. Smith Lake at the north end of the park is stocked and a great place to fish. Sidewalks and curb cuts are smooth enough for most mobility equipment. There are gas stations and businesses nearby with accessible bathrooms.

Masks are recommended while on the trail.

Denver Botanic Gardens

Denver Botanic Gardens is one of the best places in Denver at any time of year. During the summer it is home to many varieties of plants over its 23 acres and its conservatory. It can be bumpy in spots but can be navigated by most manual wheelchairs. Pathways are smooth enough for most mobility equipment.

The gardens have reopened but tickets must be purchased ahead of time and face coverings must be worn.

Golfing

There are many golf courses in the Denver area that have a SoloRider cart, which allows individuals with physical disabilities the ability to have the cart lift you into a swinging stance. You don’t have to give up your game because of mobility concerns. Several of these are Wellshire, Overland Park, Harvard Gulch, Willis Case, Kennedy, and University of Denver Golf Club at Highlands Ranch. 

Notify the staff when reserving your tee time (1-2 days prior) that you require the use of this equipment.

Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall

Boulder’s Pearl Street is one of the best places to eat, drink, and shop. It has fantastic options for restaurants, breweries, and eclectic shops. Pearl Street is a pedestrian street that is very wheelchair friendly. Nearby the street there are accessible parking spots (with aisles for vans) that make it easy to find a place to start your experience. Wheelchair accessible restrooms are available at certain locations if you are a customer within the store or restaurant. Sidewalks and curb cuts are smooth enough for most mobility equipment.

Masks are recommended while walking and enforced inside restaurants. 

Hiking in Boulder

Hiking in Boulder – There are a variety of paved paths that give some of the best views in Boulder. Boulder Creek Path is paved on the eastern end, yet it has a paved majority stretching through downtown all the way to eastern Boulder. Wonderland Lake has an accessible peninsula where an angler can throw a line in. The majority is a paved sidewalk, yet parts are fine-crushed gravel. It is also a great spot for fishing.  Wheelchair accessible restrooms can be few and far between on the trails. Many paths are smooth enough for most mobility equipment.

Masks are recommended while on the trail.

Larimer Square and 16th Street Mall

Larimer Square and the 16th Street Mall are some of Denver’s best sights and have fun restaurants and iconic landmarks. Wheelchair accessible restrooms are available at certain locations if you are a customer within the store or restaurant. The 16th Street Mall also offers a mile long, free wheelchair-accessible bus route from the Capitol Building to Union Station. Sidewalks and curb cuts are smooth enough for most mobility equipment.

It is recommended that a mask be worn while walking.

Written by Caroline Osborne

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