The North Platte River in Wyoming
Accessible Fishing Raft
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Floating with two wheelchairs and friends.
Enough room for rods, gear and coolers.
Enough room for rods, gear and coolers.
Beautiful scenery on the Snowy Range Road
before descending into the North Platte valley.
before descending into the North Platte valley.
Typical view of the river near Bennett Peak Recreation Area.
The wheelchair accessible raft is accompanied by a two man
raft. There is also a four man raft with comfortable seating.
The wheelchair accessible raft is accompanied by a two man
raft. There is also a four man raft with comfortable seating.
The North Platte runs through a combination
of private ranch land and public access
areas. The rivers water is public although the
river bottom may be private.
of private ranch land and public access
areas. The rivers water is public although the
river bottom may be private.
The North Platte River in southeast Wyoming between Bennett Peak Recreation Area and
Treasure Island is a gentle float covering 12 miles of picturesque scenery and great trout
water. The Platte Valley is 200 miles from Denver and takes about 4 hours driving time.
Saratoga is the nearest town that has accessible accommodations. The campground at
Bennett Peak has an accessible campsite and an outhouse with grab bars. It takes 6 hours to
float the river. Rainbow and brown trout are abundant and are usually cooperative hitting lures
or flies. The best time to float the North Platte is from mid June after peak runoff as the river
clears into July until the water drops too low for large rafts. The weather is usually comfortable
at this time of year but be prepared for anything in the Wyoming mountains. The valley is at
7400 feet above sea level with crisp cool thin air.
Floats like this are prized by fly fishing enthusiasts but the boats have not been suitable for
wheelchair accessibility. In 2006 an ILST and two brain injured clients took on the project to
build an accessible raft. Throughout the winter they worked to build the custom frame. That
summer they ran trial floats on the river with good success. The raft is stable and roomy,
suitable for a power wheelchair. The ability to get on the river and fish is a tremendous
advantage in catching the trout. Fishing from a boat on the river allows a disabled angler to
fish every hole effectively along the entire 12 mile float and your chance at catching some nice
fish are excellent. Adaptive fishing rods are available for a variety of disabilities. See the other
pages for specifics. Fitting a rod can be done in Denver prior to a trip.
Float trips are free. Each trip takes a lot of personal planning. To reserve a float go to the
contact us page and E-mail us a little about yourself to start the process. We look forward to
fishing with you.
Treasure Island is a gentle float covering 12 miles of picturesque scenery and great trout
water. The Platte Valley is 200 miles from Denver and takes about 4 hours driving time.
Saratoga is the nearest town that has accessible accommodations. The campground at
Bennett Peak has an accessible campsite and an outhouse with grab bars. It takes 6 hours to
float the river. Rainbow and brown trout are abundant and are usually cooperative hitting lures
or flies. The best time to float the North Platte is from mid June after peak runoff as the river
clears into July until the water drops too low for large rafts. The weather is usually comfortable
at this time of year but be prepared for anything in the Wyoming mountains. The valley is at
7400 feet above sea level with crisp cool thin air.
Floats like this are prized by fly fishing enthusiasts but the boats have not been suitable for
wheelchair accessibility. In 2006 an ILST and two brain injured clients took on the project to
build an accessible raft. Throughout the winter they worked to build the custom frame. That
summer they ran trial floats on the river with good success. The raft is stable and roomy,
suitable for a power wheelchair. The ability to get on the river and fish is a tremendous
advantage in catching the trout. Fishing from a boat on the river allows a disabled angler to
fish every hole effectively along the entire 12 mile float and your chance at catching some nice
fish are excellent. Adaptive fishing rods are available for a variety of disabilities. See the other
pages for specifics. Fitting a rod can be done in Denver prior to a trip.
Float trips are free. Each trip takes a lot of personal planning. To reserve a float go to the
contact us page and E-mail us a little about yourself to start the process. We look forward to
fishing with you.
The boat ramp at Bennett Peak. One
wheelchair on board and one ready to load.
The ramp area is hard packed gravel
traversable by most chairs.
wheelchair on board and one ready to load.
The ramp area is hard packed gravel
traversable by most chairs.
Brown Trout like
this are plentiful on
the North Platte.
this are plentiful on
the North Platte.
Can you find the Bald Eagle in the upper right
corner of the picture below.
corner of the picture below.
