Updated: August 28, 2024

Accessible Adventures in Colorado Springs for the Whole Family

Colorado Springs, Olympic City USA, is for everyone. Whether you use a mobility device, need additional accommodations or are simply looking for more inclusive experiences for you and the family, this is the place.

Boardwalk and viewing platform at the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak

Inclusive Experiences

Adventures Out West Jeep Tour
Adventures Out West, a local adventure outfitter and guide company, now offers a wheelchair accessible Jeep. Guests can experience tours through Garden of the Gods without mobility barriers. The ADA wheelchair-accessible Jeep is equipped with state-of-the-art suspension and ergonomic seating, as well as a lift up into the Jeep. Booking is available by request.

Colorado Jeep Tours
Colorado Jeep Tours prioritizes accessibility to ensure the full experience – everything from navigating the website to embarking on tours – is inclusive of all individuals. The Jeeps are engineered to facilitate entry and exit with minimal assistance, requiring only lateral support for navigating three steps. There are provisions in place to assist clients with mobility impairments, including those who are paraplegic or quadriplegic, provided they can be safely lifted into the front seats. It’s important to note that, at present, they are unable to accommodate clients confined to wheelchairs who cannot be lifted due to weight constraints. In an effort to make tours accessible to all, Colorado Jeep Tours has collaborated with deaf travel blogger, Calvin Young, to create ASL videos for all Jeep tours and rafting safety talks, ensuring that deaf and hard of hearing clients receive the same information as all other participants. For further assistance or inquiries, please contact the staff at Colorado Jeep Tours.

The Summit of Pikes Peak – America's Mountain
Pikes Peak is often referred to as the most accessible 14-er (14,000+ foot mountain). Not only can the summit be reached by hikers, but also by car, bike or The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway. The Summit Visitor Center at the top of America’s Mountain is universally accessible, equipped with paved walkways and an elevator inside. Visitors can traverse around the entire summit of the mountain on paved walkways and overlooks.

The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum
Built with inclusivity at the forefront, the USOPM has won countless awards for its inclusive and universally accessible design. Upon arrival, guests create a profile using their lanyard where they can pick their favorite sports, athletes, and any accessibility needs. Exhibits throughout the museum will then rely on the lanyard to adapt for each guest. Media exhibits can include audio-described video, text-to-speech screen readers, high contrast display and larger font sizes. For guests who select audio descriptions during registration, a tactile floor strip triggers automatic audio descriptions upon entering each gallery. The entirety of the Museum is wheelchair accessible and features gentle-grade ramps throughout. Upon request, Museum staff can provide low-sensory experiences, transport chairs and more.

Panorama Park in Southeast Colorado Springs

Universally Accessible Playgrounds

Colorado Springs is home to multiple universally accessible playgrounds. Each was built with intentional consideration of children of all abilities.

On the southern end of Colorado Springs you'll find Oak Meadows Park, which was renovated in 2024 to add artificial turf and all new plate equipment. The new space was designed to be used by all members of the community. Additionally, nearly 3,000 square feet of concrete sidewalk now provides ADA compliant routes to the playground and community center.

Panorama Park, located in Southeast Colorado Springs, features accessible swings, slides and a “We Go Round.” The playground also features a cozy corner, designed for children with autism or other sensory sensitivities and allows them a place to take a break from the noise. A large hollow turtle shell creates a space for quiet alone time.

Swing High Playground at Memorial Park, located just east of Downtown Colorado Springs, is also outfitted with universally accessible equipment. Some highlights include wheelchair-accessible pathways throughout the playset, as well as a wheelchair-friendly rolling bar slide and harness swings with back supports. The most popular aspect of this playground is a “We Go Round”, a merry-go-round and seesaw set that can be used by disabled and non-disabled kids alike.

The Corral at John Venezia Park, located in the Briargate neighborhood, features accessible swings, elevated pathways, accessible slides and rubber surfacing.

In the heart of Downtown Colorado Springs, you can find Acacia Park. The park reopened in 2022 as part of the Downtown Historic Parks Improvement Project. The playground has a unique climbing structure built to allow children with mobility aids to play underneath the net system.

V.I.P. (visually impaired persons) Trail embedded as part of the Songbird Trail at Bear Creek Nature Center

Adaptive Groups and Programs

Bear Creek’s Visually Impaired Persons Trail
Bear Creek Nature Center is also home to a V.I.P. (visually impaired persons) Trail that was unveiled in 2023. Visitors with varying visual impairments can now better experience nature and the existing Songbird Trail. The trail section is a flat, wide boardwalk with interpretive signs along the way with information about flora and fauna found along the trail. A braided rope guides users to interactive signs, prompting the use of a Pen Friend audio device that reads signs aloud to users. The V.I.P. trail is open to the public during park hours, is free and does not require reservations. However, the Pen Friends are only available during Bear Creek Nature Center hours.

CityROCK Adaptive Climbing Team
CityROCK, an indoor rock-climbing gym in Downtown Colorado Springs, has an adaptive climbing team. The team is for people with physical, emotional, social and/or cognitive disabilities who are eager to try something new. Volunteers and coaches provide climbers with one-on-one time to promote skill development. This program requires registration in advance. You can find additional information, including costs and dates, here.

City of COS Parks Track Chair Program
In spring 2024, Colorado Springs is expanding its accessible trail offerings with the addition of two trackchairs. The off-road wheelchairs will help people get outside who otherwise would miss out due to mobility challenges. Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services will make the electric trackchairs free to reserve in 2024. The city will provide free training on how to operate the chairs, and park rangers will be around to assist during the reservation period. The program’s offering will start at Red Rock Canyon Open Space and hopes to expand into other parks.

El Paso County’s Trailability Program
Currently two of El Paso County’s Nature Centers (Bear Creek and Fountain Creek) offer free reservations for a TerrainHopper. These off-road mobility devices allow wheelchair users to traverse the park trails accompanied by a trained volunteer. From 1 mile to 3 miles, the trails will take participants through the varying foothills and wetland habitats. Participation is entirely free, and reservations for 2024 will be offered May 1 – October 31 at both Nature Centers.

iFLY Colorado Springs
iFLY's All Abilities Program offers those with physical or cognitive disabilities the opportunity to indoor skydive. They offer proper accommodations for specific disabilities with a highly-trained, world-class iFLY instructor.

Sunflower Program at the Colorado Springs Airport
The Colorado Springs Airport is a proud participant in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program. This international program helps individuals with hidden disabilities discreetly inform others through the display of a Sunflower printed lanyard. The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower indicates to airport employees and patrons that a person may need additional time, assistance or patience. There are no prerequisites or costs for asking for a lanyard.

To plan the perfectly accessible trip to Colorado Springs, make sure to check out our listings on Wheel the World. Each listing features all of the comprehensive accessibility information you may need to plan an outing – from the weight of the door to nearby service dog relief areas.

Author

Sheridan Powell

Communications Specialist | Visit Colorado Springs

A Midwesterner at heart, Sheridan moved to COS following college graduation. Her Strategic Communications degree from Mizzou equipped her for the unique space that is tourism marketing. You can find her most often at Poor Richard’s Bookstore, and she’s most likely to talk your ear off about all-things Taylor Swift. Ask her about taking steps to become more accessible and inclusive!

Related Partners and Events: