Awesome Adaptive Off-Road Sports Adventures

Q: Who is eligible to participate in the backcountry trips?

The program welcomes individuals who face significant outdoor accessibility barriers due to documented mobility limitations from spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, amputation, or neurological conditions. Applicants must reside in the United States or Canada, maintain current healthcare coverage, and express a genuine passion for backcountry exploration.

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Return to Dirt

Return to Dirt is an adaptive motorsports program service of the High Fives Foundation that puts disabled individuals behind the wheel of their own adventure.

Whether it’s just to twist throttle, or to see the sights, there is no wrong reason for physically impaired athletes to access their dreams off the beaten path.

The Return to Dirt program provides equipment and instruction for individuals with disabilities to pilot off-road vehicles into backcountry areas otherwise impossible to access because of a mobility impairment.

Return to Dirt reunites a disabled athlete with a part of themselves that can only be found in nature. For many of our athletes, outdoor recreation is unattainable because of any number of physical limitations. With our equipment, expertise and team, we can provide accessibility in otherwise inaccessible environments.

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246 TOTAL ATHLETE EXPERIENCES
SINCE INCEPTION 2018

7,998 MILES
TOTAL UTV MILES

SMILES
PER GALLON

Get
Behind the Wheel

Whether it’s just to twist throttle, or to see the sights, there is no wrong reason for physically impaired athletes to access their dreams off the beaten path.

Blue High Fives adaptive off-road sports truck with mountain background.

High Fives adaptive off-road sports vehicle driving through winter snow.

Our
mission

Provide equipment and instruction for individuals with disabilities to pilot off-road vehicles into backcountry areas otherwise impossible to access because of a mobility impairment.

Breaking Barriers
Beyond the Pavement

For many individuals recovering from life-altering injuries, reclaiming a sense of raw adventure can feel entirely out of reach. Return to Dirt directly dismantles these barriers by providing specialized off-road handcycles, modified side-by-sides, adapted ATVs, and custom steering setups. This allows participants to navigate rugged terrains that traditional mobility devices cannot touch. By championing adaptive off-road sports, the program ensures that the thrill of the backcountry remains accessible to everyone, proving that a disability does not mean the end of exploration.

Empowering
Freedom and Independence

Getting behind the wheel or onto the handlebars of a modified vehicle offers more than just a temporary adrenaline rush; it restores a sense of deep personal autonomy. Participants gain the confidence to pilot their own journeys through thick mud, jagged rocks, steep inclines, and loose dirt trails. Through this unique facet of adaptive off road sports, individuals rediscover their resilience, pushing past perceived limitations alongside a supportive community that understands their drive to conquer the great outdoors.

Driving
Impact Through Specialized Support

Every excursion is supported by a dedicated team committed to safety, innovation, and empowerment. As a hallmark adaptive sports charity program, High Fives provides the specialized instruction, mechanical adaptations, safety gear, and community network needed to make these backcountry adventures possible. By removing the steep financial, logistical, physical, and emotional hurdles of modified outdoor recreation, the foundation helps participants focus entirely on what they can achieve.
Ready to find the perfect adventure for your recovery journey? Explore our full suite of options and discover how our adaptive sports charity program can help you get back to the sports you love.

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Fueling
the Future of Off-Road Inclusivity

The demand for off-road accessibility continues to grow, and High Fives is committed to expanding these life-changing experiences for more athletes nationwide. By continually updating our fleet, training specialized guides, scouting new trail systems, and securing top-tier equipment, we ensure the healing power of nature remains accessible to the adaptive community. Your journey back to the dirt starts here, and we are ready to help you take the first step.
Have questions about upcoming trips, vehicle adaptations, or how to get involved? Contact our team today to learn more about our excursions and adaptive opportunities.

FAQ

Who is eligible to participate in the backcountry trips?

Do I need a valid driver license to participate in these excursions?

You must hold a valid, current driver license if your goal is to physically pilot the adaptive off-road vehicles during a trip. The program leadership evaluates each applicant individually to grant driving privileges based on physical setup requirements, trail safety, and staff discretion. Individuals without a license are still fully encouraged to apply and take part in the adventures as passengers.

Where do these backcountry trail rides typically take place?

The main operations, mechanical garage, and vehicle fleet are stationed in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, meaning the vast majority of day trips and multi-day camps traverse the surrounding mountain passes, alpine meadows, and rugged rocky trails of that region. However, seasonal adventures and partnership events also expand into areas like Truckee, California and various trail systems across Nevada.

What specific types of machinery are available in the fleet?

The specialized inventory includes high-performance Can-Am Maverick X3 side-by-sides, utility multi-seat UTVs, adapted ATVs, and custom off-road handcycles. Every single motorized vehicle features specialized modifications such as advanced hand controls, high-torque dynamic power steering, secure harness systems, and custom seating configurations to accommodate various physical needs safely.

"Two years ago a motocross crash resulted in a spinal cord injury at the C4 level leaving me paralyzed from the chest down. Since then, physical therapy and whole-life adaptations are constant tasks in order to maximize my recovery and quality of life. My Return to Dirt experiences are a huge part of my recovery story and returning to a kind of fun I never thought possible again—fast and DIRTy."

- Mason

Read a letter from Return to Dirt Founder, Tim Burr HERE.