Colorado is full of places worth exploring. DDRC’s guided accessible state park trips for adults with IDD are designed so that every participant can take part, with experienced support, thoughtfully chosen destinations, and activities built around what each person enjoys.
Getting Outside Should Be Accessible
People feel better outside. It shapes everything about how we approach these outings. DDRC’s accessible state park trips for adults with IDD are part of our community-based day services, planned so that every participant, regardless of their support needs, can experience what it feels like to be out in the great outdoors. Our DDRC team handles every detail in advance so that when the day arrives, participants can enjoy living in the moment.
Why Accessible Outdoor Recreation Makes a Real Difference
Research consistently shows that adults with developmental disabilities experience real benefits from time spent outdoors, including improved mood, a sense of empowerment, and stronger social connection. For individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, those benefits are especially meaningful, and often harder to come by without the right support in place.
Our inclusive nature outings give participants the opportunity to:
New Experiences
Participants explore new environments and build confidence in community settings.
Social Connection
Our outings offer a relaxed, informal context for developing and practicing social skills.
Sensory Engagement
Time outdoors engages the senses and invites curiosity through hands-on exploration.
Priceless Memories
These trips build routines and memories that stay with participants long after the day is done.
Personal Interests
Every outing incorporates accessible activities that reflect what participants actually enjoy.
Growth and Independence
Nature outings are among the most effective activities for fostering growth we offer.
These outings also create some of the most natural opportunities for social connection we see in our programs. There’s something about being outside together—a shared trail, a fishing line in the water, a picnic—that opens people up in ways that structured settings rarely do.
What Our Accessible State Park Trips for Adults with IDD Look Like
No two outings are exactly the same, and that is intentional. Our accessible outdoor recreation programming is tailored to the group, the season, and the destination. Here is what every trip has in common.
Guided and Supported
Our trained staff accompany participants from start to finish. No one is left to figure out an unfamiliar environment on their own.
Chosen with Care
We research each destination in advance, selecting parks and trails that offer accessible paths, picnic areas, and facilities so that everyone can participate fully.
Built Around People
Activities are matched to the interests and abilities of the group. Whether that means a walk along a lakeside path or casting a line at a reservoir, the day reflects what participants actually want to do.
Adaptive Outdoor Recreation Activities We Enjoy Together
Every outdoor adventure looks a little different, because the people on them do too.
Hiking and Nature Walks
Accessible paved and dirt trails suited to various mobility levels.
Fishing Trips
Accessible fishing spots throughout Colorado, including reservoirs, lakes, and riverside areas.
Picnics
Accessible group picnic sites with wheelchair-friendly tables, grills, and nearby restrooms.
Wildlife and Nature Observation
Spotting birds, plants, and local wildlife along the way.
Each of these activities is a chance to slow down, engage with the world, and share something real with the people around you. Adaptive outdoor recreation is most effective when it feels less like a program and more like a day well spent, and that is exactly what we aim for.
Colorado State Parks with Accessible Trails and Facilities
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is committed to making state parks welcoming to visitors of all abilities, which is part of why these destinations work so well for our inclusive nature outings. Many parks offer paved or accessible trails, accessible picnic sites, and accessible restrooms and visitor centers.
- Chatfield State Park: multiple paved and accessible trails including the Mary Carter Greenway and Centennial Trail
- Cherry Creek State Park: paved Cherry Creek, Shop Creek, and Piney Creek trails
- Roxborough State Park: the Fountain Valley Trail, accessible in good weather conditions
- Cheyenne Mountain State Park: the Acorn Valley Trail, a gentle accessible dirt path
- Golden Gate Canyon State Park: the Show Pond Trail, a short accessible interpretive walk near the Visitor Center
Did You Know?
Several parks also offer track chairs, which are all-terrain motorized chairs that open off-pavement trails to individuals with limited mobility. Staunton, Barr Lake, Ridgway, Cheyenne Mountain, and Lathrop state parks all offer Track-Chair rentals.
Accessible picnic sites with wheelchair-friendly tables, grills, and nearby restrooms are available at more than 37 Colorado state parks.
Our Recent Outdoor Adventures
Follow along on Instagram @ddrcco to see more from our community outings and programs.
One Part of a Bigger Picture
Our accessible state park trips for adults with IDD sit within DDRC’s broader community-based day services, which include a rotating mix of outings, skill-building activities, social programming, and employment preparation. Participants in our day programs for adults with disabilities visit state parks, local recreation areas, cultural sites, and neighborhood destinations throughout the year, all with the goal of building a life that feels full, connected, and genuinely their own.
If you are exploring options for yourself or someone you care about, we would love to walk you through what a typical week looks like.
Ready to Head Outside?
Whether you are a family member researching options or an individual curious about what our accessible state park trips for adults with IDD involve, we are happy to answer your questions and help you find the right next step.