Beth Hudson gives us her rundown of her favorite accessible trails in the Rocky Mountain National Park – plus one accessible RV Resort!
There is nothing like looking out your camper window in the morning, snow covered mountains in the background, only to see a herd of elk sauntering by your site, leisurely munching on grass and drinking water in the nearby stream. This is the norm in Estes Park, Colorado, at the eastern entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP).
Spruce Lake RV Resort is the closest to the RMNP entrance and a very quick drive to town. Estes Park is the quintessential mountain town – great restaurants, lots of green space, and yes, a bit “touristy”. It sits on the edge of Lake Estes, which has a paved multi-use path around the perimeter – perfect for wheelchair users.
Spruce Lake RV Resort is handicap accessible, but I wouldn’t go so far as to say it is fully wheelchair accessible. The roads are packed dirt, which is doable. The bathroom has a handicap stall and shower, but to enter, you must make a 90 degree turn once you open the door, which could be tricky. A regular wheelchair would fit, but a power wheelchair might be tight. It has a pool, but no HC chair. We are planning a trip back this summer, and I’ll take some measurements and do an update.
The Rocky Mountains are just that, and I worried that I would have trouble with the trails, as my left knee (amp leg) has very limited range of motion, and negotiating steep terrain and rocks is nearly impossible for me. I’m happy to say that there’s not just one, but three wheelchair accessible trails in the Rocky Mountain National Park. Not only did I walk them all, I saw wheelchair users on all three. All three have HC parking; one even has an HC accessible camping site. I was both impressed and out of breath – walking with crutches at over 10,000 feet is a workout!
BEAR LAKE – Approximately one mile loop and the most popular of the three with heady mountain views. Lots of foot traffic from other hikers. CAUTION – the pit toilets are absolutely gross, and my experience having to use one with my ostomy was a spectacular fail. Go before you roll.
SPRAGUE LAKE – Approximately .75 mile and my favorite of the three.. We happened to go an hour before dusk. Two adult and one baby moose, a mule deer, a Canada goose, and a marmot were all in attendance. It even had an HC campsite! Flush toilets and a picnic area are near the parking lot. I found this the most beautiful of the three.
LILY LAKE – Approximately .80 miles but not as spectacular with the views. There were, however, so many hummingbirds that I thought my tinnitus was acting up – never saw one, though, as they flit too fast. The scent of the pine trees was intoxicating. Pit toilets at the trailhead.
If you prefer a scenic drive and have the time (as in, all day), motor Trail Ridge Road, which starts at Estes Park and ends at Grand Lake, east to west. It’s worth the view, but be ready for many switchbacks, and have your brakes checked beforehand, as you will cross the Continental Divide (10,758 feet). Bring a jacket – it gets cold up there!
And in case you didn’t know, you can get a FREE national parks pass at the entrance. I had my letter of disability on my phone. The ranger didn’t even ask for it, and he couldn’t see my prosthesis because I was sitting in the back seat – just took my word for it. This pass gets you into every national park for life.
The Rocky Mountains are incredibly beautiful with great diversity in the park – something new around each corner. So good for the soul!
Huge thanks to Beth for her wonderful tips on accessible trails in the Rocky Mountain National Park.
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