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Photo by Andrea Jehn Kennedy |
Camping Colorado
Colorado beckons the outdoor adventurer with its 85 parks, recreation areas and hot springs, and boasts statewide accessible camping at nearly 90 percent of them. From raised tent beds to screaming discounts, the bounty of Americans with Disabilities Act-standard amenities make sleeping outdoors a breeze for Colorado’s visitors with disabilities.
National Parks System
In addition to the vast web of accessible camping locations, Colorado makes it affordable for people with disabilities to visit. National parks passes are free and camping in its parks and recreation areas in the state is half price.
With the Golden Access Pass from the National Parks System (www.nps.gov), all parks are free to visitors with disabilities (show medical records or disabled parking placard at any park to get your pass), and all parks have accessible campsites, bathrooms, paths, trails, tours, and of course, buildings. There are nine NPS parks and recreation areas in Colorado, and these are the best options for last-minute camping, as the accessible sites are only reserved upon request. Several have added amenities like raised camp beds for easy transfers from wheelchairs, as well as many adapted recreational activities such as boating, fishing and hiking.
From the ancient Anasazi ruins of Mesa Verde National Park to the stellar peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park, these fully accessible parks have a lot more than ADA-coded camping. While they do offer hiking, fishing, backcountry access, and more, they don’t offer solitude. The best time to enjoy these parks is during spring when they’re not flooded with summer adventurers.
State Parks
The Colorado State Parks System (www.parks.state.co.us) also welcomes its special-needs visitors with a steep discount. The Columbine Pass is only $12.50 annually, with access to one of the largest state parks systems in the country. Wherever you are in the state, there’s likely a state park nearby as there are more than 40 of them, most of which have their accessibility information and status available for viewing online. Each Web site has a map with accessible campsites, trails and bathrooms marked with the universal blue wheelchair symbol.
My favorites include Colorado River SP for its variety of camping options and lakes, Eleven Mile SP for its views and location along the Gold Belt Scenic Byway (another gem of the state), Pearl Lake SP for its “gold medal” fishing, and Steamboat Lake SP for its complete accessible marina and trail network.
Wilderness On Wheels
Wilderness on Wheels (www.wilder nessonwheels.org), in Wheatridge, Colo., is a one-of-a-kind backcountry recreation area for visitors with special needs, just 60 miles west of Denver. The park has an extensive boardwalk that climbs a mile into the woods on a 12,000-foot mountain near Kenosha Pass, offering views of the surrounding area. Camping here is fully accessible, as are the boardwalk trail built on an old logging road, the fishing area by the river at the base, and the amphitheater and group sites. While there is no entry fee for WOW, which is open from April to October, the area relies heavily on donations and is always in need of aid for upkeep. — Andrea Jehn Kennedy
Hot Springs
For visitors looking for a warm soak while camping in Colorado, look to the large network of hot springs in the Centennial State. More than 30 bubbling springs are sprinkled throughout the state that visitors of all abilities can dip in (and 100 more that aren’t quite the right temperature to, but are great to look at).
Hot Sulphur Springs Resort
www.hotsulphursprings.com
Located about halfway between Steamboat Springs and Winter Park, Hot Sulphur Springs is home to one of the nation’s oldest hot springs resorts, in operation since 1865. The resort also offers lodging with two accessible rooms as well as accessible camping and fishing nearby. There are several pools, but the indoor Elk Pool is the most accessible.
Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge and Pool
www.hotspringspool.com
Frequented since the mid 1800s, Glenwood Springs has been a thriving recreation area for more than 150 years. The pool is 615 feet long, which was completed in 1888, and has since undergone several renovations in the 1960s, 1980s and 1990s. Its history is a wonderful story in itself, including housing a therapy center for disabled veterans during World War II.
Pagosa Hot Springs
www.pagosahotsprings.com
This terraced resort offers 17 pools, two of which are accessible with roll-in entry and assistive devices.
Old Town Hot Springs
www.steamboathotsprings.org
This location is more of a recreation center than a secluded resort like its local counterpart, Strawberry Park Hot Springs, but since Strawberry Park has tons of steps, we default to the fully accessible and newly renovated Old Town Hot Springs. Because Old Town operates as a non-profit organization, entry is inexpensive and accessibility is supreme.
Ouray Hot Springs Pool
www.ourayhotsprings.com
This location sits in Hot Springs Park in downtown Ouray so it offers a playground and picnic areas with barbecues.The pool is a historic site established in 1927, and has been updated for accessibility. The views from Ouray are amazing. It’s been dubbed America’s Little Switzerland.