Glenwood Springs invites everyone to discover the sheer joy of the river. Find accessible, adaptive rafting opportunities and a welcoming community built around connection and inclusion.
For generations, water has been at the heart of Glenwood Springs. From the healing waters of the hot springs to the rushing currents of the Colorado River through Glenwood Canyon, this mountain town has always invited people to relax into the flow of summertime fun.
Today, that invitation is more inclusive than ever. Across Glenwood Springs, rafting outfitters and community partners are working to make river adventures more welcoming and accessible for people of all abilities, backgrounds, and experiences.
Because Everyone Belongs on the River
For Thomas Carter, one of the owners of Whitewater Rafting, LLC, the message is simple: everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the outdoors.
“Everyone should have the chance to get outside and do this super fun activity,” he said.
“Guests with mobility needs can absolutely enjoy a rafting trip,” Carter explained. The journey begins before anyone steps into a raft, with staff taking time and care to explain what to expect—from check-in to safety protocols, the outing is simple, straightforward, and most importantly—welcoming.
For those who are hearing impaired, “We are fortunate to have a guide fluent in ASL (American Sign Language) which helps put guests at ease,” he said. “We also have a safety video with captions that is really helpful for anyone with hearing issues.” As for paddle commands during a whitewater trip, Carter explains that guides routinely situate a hearing-abled person at the head of the boat, making it easy for guests with hearing loss to follow along.
For Carter, part of what makes rafting accessible is that each trip can be tailored to different comfort levels.
“There are different levels for all different types of people, and we have it all available,” he said. “Rafting is a super accessible activity because you can choose the difficulty of the river section.”
For anyone who has wondered whether rafting is possible for them, Carter encourages them to explore the possibilities.
“Just getting outside is great,” he said. “Everyone is welcome, and we’re here to assist.”
Creating Access Through Creativity and Trust
At Defiance Rafting, accessibility means adapting and finding solutions that work for each guest.
“We certainly do our best to increase access for individuals,” said owner-operator Heather Montross-Cowan. “We’re here to support our guests as much as possible.”
That support may mean helping someone into or out of a raft, assisting with transportation, or simply making sure a guest feels comfortable trying something new.
“For someone who is coming to our area that has a disability, the best that we can do is make it as easy as possible for them to have fun on the river,” Montross-Cowan said. “For individuals with disabilities, so much in their life is very planned. We want to make river recreation as fun and low stress as possible.”
Defiance has welcomed guests with a variety of needs, including people who are visually impaired, blind, hearing-impaired, and deaf. Guides work with guests and caregivers to understand what support is needed and build trust before getting on the water.
For one visually impaired guest, that trust opened the door to an unforgettable day on the river.
“Our guide acted as the eyes for them,” Montross-Cowan explained, describing how guides narrate the scenery and what guests are experiencing on the river. “That particular individual went rafting with us, then immediately signed up for a tandem inflatable kayak trip with our guide because he had so much fun.”
The company has also developed its own adaptive equipment, including a custom-built chair for guests who need additional back support.
“We’re willing to be creative,” she said. “We’ve been privileged to work with some amazing guests who have helped us with feedback.”
Making the Outdoors Comfortable for Everyone
Accessibility also means considering sensory needs. Through partnerships with organizations such as Ascendigo, a non-profit that advocates for those on the autism spectrum, Defiance has worked with guests, in this case, summer youth on the autism spectrum.
Montross-Cowan explained that small details can make a big difference for those with autism. “Controlling the environment as much as possible makes for a better outing whether in the classroom or on the river. “From noise sensitivity to creating a calmer staging area and working closely with support staff, we do our best to accommodate our guests so they feel comfortable at every stage of the trip.”
A River That Brings People Together
For Solomon Liston, founder of the Big Gay Raft Trip, the river has always been a place where friendships form, and people feel welcome.
What started as an idea with friend Ladd Bosworth to get a small group of like-minded friends together for a rafting trip grew into an annual event that brings visitors from across the country to Glenwood Springs.
“It was a way to bring the LGBT community here, and also share Glenwood Springs with them,” Liston said.
The event has grown from its first year with 37 participants to sold-out trips with more than 150 guests. But the heart of the gathering has remained the same: connection.
“There are always new friends made,” he said. “And I think that’s one of the coolest things about the trip—just watching the friendships grow.”
The Big Gay Raft Trip has become such a hit that instead of just one trip per year, the group hosts two—a “Big Water” trip in early June and a “Lazy River” trip, held annually on the third weekend in August (this year, the weekend of August 15) “It’s a schedule that takes advantage of the river’s shoulder seasons and works well with tourism partners,” said Liston.
Off the river, the event is intentionally woven into the community, with guests dining at local restaurants and exploring town rather than retreating to a private gathering.
Liston cites the impact the Big Gay Raft Trip has had. “There was one young man who attended. He didn’t raft. He just hung out and was part of the community,” explained Liston. “He never thought he’d see an event like this in his town, let alone attend it.” For Liston, it was a reminder of why he and Bosworth originally began organizing the event.
Adventure Has a Place for Everyone
Glenwood Springs continues to expand all the ways visitors can enjoy this special place.
The town is a designated Wheel the World Accessibility Verified destination. Additionally, Glenwood Springs has paved paths for adaptive cycling, and in winter, the local ski area welcomes adaptive skiing athletes to the slopes at Sunlight Mountain Resort. “I’m proud of our community for being committed to this mission,” said Montross-Cowen.
No matter who you are, Glenwood Springs invites you to explore because, as Thomas Carter points out, “The outdoors is better when everyone has a place in it.”
Learn more and make plans to visit today!
