Adventure Is for Everyone: 5 Accessible Trails in Colorado

Colorado is blazing the trail for accessible outdoor recreation. That’s why the Colorado Tourism Office partnered with AllTrails to help you explore accessible trails across the state.

This curated collection of more than 20 trails makes it easier than ever for everyone, including travelers with mobility challenges, to get outside in Colorado. Whether you’re strolling, rolling, or just taking in the views, experience the sights, sounds, and soul of Colorado, without the stress on these accessible routes.

Check out five accessible Colorado trails below, or head to AllTrails to view the full collection.

See the Trail Collection

Wilderness on Wheels Mountain Boardwalk

Explore wetland tundra and forested landscapes on the Wilderness on Wheels Mountain Boardwalk. This 2-mile trail features an 8-foot–wide walkway that can accommodate multiple types of ability equipment and has plenty of room to stop and enjoy the view.

After exploring the trail, stick around to fish from the wheelchair-accessible pier or enjoy a picnic lunch. Open from May to October, conditions permitting, this trail showcases the full spectrum of seasons in Colorado, with wildflowers in the spring and colorful leaves come autumn.

Perkins Central Garden Trail

A major bang-for-your-buck kind of trail, the Perkins Central Garden Trail packs fantastic views of some of the park’s most famous rock formations into a short 1.1-mile loop. From the main parking lot, take the paved path and keep an eye out for Kissing Camels on your right. Then continue on to view North and South Gateway rocks, White Rock, and more.

Lake Estes Trail

A gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, the town of Estes Park and its namesake lake also deliver on accessible adventure. Get out on the nearly 4-mile Lake Estes Trail. This paved, multi-use path welcomes all types of mobility equipment as well as bikes, leashed pets, and more.

Soak in views of the valley as you make your way around the lake, or extend your outing with lunch at a picnic spot on site. For anglers who want to try their luck fishing for trout, the trail connects to a wheelchair-accessible fishing pier.

Animas River Trail

Wander along the riverfront through downtown Durango on the Animas River Trail. A hub of the city’s larger trail system, this paved path stretches nearly 7 miles, connecting to parks, the library, public art installations, and more.

Hikers can access the trail from multiple points along the route, but if you’re looking for accessible parking, opt for the paved lot off East 29th Street at the trail’s northern terminus.

Waterton Canyon Short Trail

While not paved, the well-maintained service road through Waterton Canyon offers visitors with off-road capable mobility equipment an accessible route for exploring the area. As you travel through this wildlife corridor along the Platte River, keep an eye out for herds of bighorn sheep that expertly scale the canyon walls and bald eagles flying overhead.

This post was sponsored by the Colorado Office of Tourism.