Although Colorado has abundant outdoor recreation opportunities, it isn’t always clear which areas are accessible. So we dug into the drives and trails that offer something for everyone: wheelchair-accessible paths, less-crowded trails, urban locations, and areas you can get to via public transportation.

Before heading out on your drive or hike, there are a few things to note. The sun is intense in Colorado. Bring ample water, extra snacks, sunglasses, and sunscreen, no matter the season. The altitude is also no joke. Denver sits at 5,280 feet above sea level, and some hikes and drives listed here start at even higher elevations. Exercising or even driving at altitude feels different from doing so at lower elevation. Keep in mind that you might find you can’t do as much as usual if you are visiting from out of state.

Colorado weather changes rapidly. Check the sky often and do not go out on a trail if you see lightning or hear thunder. Rain and snow storms can come in quickly, so be prepared for changing road and trail conditions. This is especially important if you plan to hike in winter—bringing microspikes, poles, and/or snowshoes is a good idea as trails get icy and snowy.

Colorado weather changes rapidly. Check the sky often and do not go out on a trail if you see lightning or hear thunder. Rain and snow storms can come in quickly, so be prepared for changing road and trail conditions. This is especially important if you plan to hike in winter—bringing microspikes, poles, and/or snowshoes is a good idea as trails get icy and snowy.

Now that you know about the elements, there are a few trail and facility logistics to keep in mind so you don’t run into any surprises. Many bathrooms at trailheads are pit toilets without running water and they often have air fresheners inside—if you have a fragrance or chemical allergy or sensitivity, wear a mask and bring hand sanitizer. And while most trails and drives are free, state parks charge an entrance fee between $9 and $11. Alterntively, purchase an annual pass: Starting in 2023, an annual pass will cost $29 and state residents will automatically pay this as part of the driver license renewal process.

Colorado also has a program called the Columbine Pass, which allows people with permanent and total disability to pay $14 for an annual state park pass. Those with a Colorado disabled veterans license plate or Colorado purple heart license plate receive free entry, as do folks with a Blue Spruce pass, which is for disabled first responders. You can also receive a free day pass from your local library.

Before you head out on the hikes below, be sure to recognize the land acknowledgement in this stunning part of the country. These drives and trails are located in the unceded territory of the Ute, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Lipan Apache, and Očhéthi Šakówiŋ people.

If you’re looking for a scenic drive...

Peak to Peak Highway

Colorado has 26 scenic byways, but one of the most stunning—especially in the fall—is the Peak to Peak Highway, a 55-mile paved route from Estes Park to Black Hawk. Free and open year-round, the trip takes 80 minutes nonstop, but it’s likely you’ll want to visit places like Rocky Mountain National Park, Golden Gate State Park, or the Indian Peaks Wilderness along the way.

Guanella Pass

Experience different Colorado ecosystems in quick succession when you drive this paved 22-mile pass between the South Platte and Clear Creek watersheds. The elevation tops out at 11,670 feet above sea level and you’ll see dense conifer forest, open meadows, and delicate tundra above the timberline. Trailhead parking lots along the way have accessible bathrooms. The pass is free to access, but closes seasonally between the end of November and Memorial Day weekend.

Rocky Mountain National Arsenal Wildlife Refuge

The 11-mile self-guided, paved drive through the refuge takes you through 15,000 acres of open prairie and has wide views of the Front Range, as well as Denver’s skyline. The area features roaming buffalo, so you must stay in your car for most of the drive. Deer, hawks, rabbits, black-footed ferrets, coyotes, bald eagles, and prairie dogs also call the refuge home.

The visitor center has plenty of accessible parking spaces and accessible bathrooms. A short paved trail from the center will take you to a pollinator garden and a black-footed ferret habitat. The refuge has several accessible bathrooms beyond the drive, but remember to make a pit stop before going on the extended wildlife drive. This refuge is open year-round.

If you’re looking for a shorter distance...

Boulder Creek Multi-Use Path, Boulder

One nice thing about this trail is that it is accessible via public transportation. Take the bus to Boulder and head out from the Downtown Boulder Station, keeping mind this will add 0.6 miles to the total hike. Alternatively, you can park at the Boulder Public Library (it’s free for the first 90 minutes), where the trail begins. Look for the bridge crossing Boulder Creek at the northwest side of the library parking lot. Follow the paved Boulder Creek Path to the west. Canyon Boulevard is to your right, but the sound of the creek often drowns it out. When you reach Eben G. Fine Park, you will have gone about a mile. Turn around here for a two-mile out-and-back hike with 70 feet of elevation gain, or continue further. There are accessible bathrooms available at the Boulder Public Library and Eben G. Fine Park.

Washington Park, Denver

Washington Park—known as Wash Park to locals—is a beloved 16.5-acre park with mature trees, large green open spaces, and two lakes. Choose from a 2.3-mile paved inner loop with two lanes (one for faster traffic and another for slower traffic) or a slightly longer 2.6-mile outer dirt loop. The inner loop has some elevation changes, including one steep uphill that ranges between a six and 12 percent grade around the 0.2 and 0.5 mile markers when going counterclockwise, as well as 42 feet of elevation gain. There is a small (and free) accessible parking lot at the park, as well as free street parking surrounding the green space. Heads up: The on-site bathrooms are not open during the winter months.

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs

Free and open year-round, this national landmark (a Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best selection in 2022) boasts 300-million-year-old sandstone formations. There are multiple lots with accessible parking—including one dedicated accessible lot with four spaces and direct access to the Perkins Central Garden Loop. This 1.5-mile paved trail takes you to the heart of the park and has less than 30 feet of elevation gain. Weekends are crowded. You can find more solace on other trails in the area, but they are unpaved and feature more elevation gain. Visitors also have the option of driving or taking a shuttle through the park.

If you’re looking for strenuous physical activity...

Cherry Creek Trail, Aurora

In full, the Cherry Creek Trail spans 40 miles, but you can access one section within Cherry Creek State Park. Go as far as you like—if you follow the path out and back from the Mountain Loop parking lot near the west entrance, it’s about 13.5 miles round-trip. This is a mostly flat, multi-use trail that passes the reservoir, prairie, and wetlands. There are small areas of elevation gain—the most being around 80 feet—but abundant wildlife and wide open skies await you.

A daily vehicle pass is $11, or you can gain entrance with a Colorado State Parks pass. Alternatively, access this trail for free by using the south entrance near S. Carson St. and E. Caley Ave in Aurora. If you’re taking public transit, the nearest stop drops you about 0.5 miles from the west entrance of the trail. There are accessible bathrooms and there are several wheelchair-accessible trails on the larger route.

Upper Mule Deer Trail, Golden

In the summer months, you can see abundant wildflowers and mushrooms on this route. To get here, start at the Ole Barn Knoll picnic area parking lot in Golden Gate Canyon State Park and cross Mountain Base Road. Follow the Mule Deer Trail up the hill through grassland into evergreen forest. This 3.7-mile out-and-back trail has steep grades and 500 feet of elevation gain; its rocky terrain is not ideal for wheelchair users and walking poles will certainly help anyone making the trek.

If you want to add 0.4 mile and a stroll through an aspen grove and meadow, take the Mule Deer Trail to your left at the junction with Horseshoe Trail and Black Bear Trail. When you hit the John Frazer cabin, turn around and head back. There is accessible parking in the lot, as well as accessible bathrooms. There is a $10 entry fee, unless you have a state park pass.

Waterton Canyon, Littleton

The biggest attraction at Waterton Canyon is the bighorn sheep—as well as the signs that warn visitors of snake sightings. The 12.6-mile out-and-back trail is essentially a road (it is a Denver Water facility and employees live on site, so you may see their vehicles). For the first two and a half miles, the grade fluctuates slightly, but never more than five percent. Once you hit mile three, the grade increases and you will gain about 100 feet of elevation before you turn around and come back. While there are a number of paved sections along the trail, the majority of the wide path is made of crushed dirt and rock. There is a free, accessible parking lot with accessible bathrooms and the trail is open year-round.

The Track-Chair Program, Staunton State Park, Pine

Friday through Sunday, Staunton State Park offers Action Trackchairs for visitors with limited mobility. You must obtain a reservation and pay the usual state park fee of $10, but the reservation is free. The chair allows people to access three trails of varying difficulty, all under four miles. Slide boards and sling lifts are available for transfer into the Action Trackchair. Note that park staff can assist with a transfer, but may be limited in their ability, and Action Trackchair users cannot bring a service animal with them.

Katrina Martin is a writer, photographer, and educator who lives in Denver with their rambunctious cat, Harvey Milk. They are a patient advocate at Endometriosis.net and also host a podcast on the intersection of dreams and the Earth called Dreaming Back to the Earth. When they aren't writing or podcasting, they work with neurodivergent and learning disabled students as a tutor and academic coach. Find them on Instagram at @katrinadreamer and on Twitter at @katrinadreamer1.