Summary
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Attractions: One need not descend to the canyon’s depths to appreciate Grand Canyon National Park. Consider these engaging activities:
- Fred Harvey Bus Tours: Tours available with wheelchair accessibility; Contact 928-638-2631 for details.
- River Excursions: Numerous river concessionaires are prepared to accommodate individuals of all abilities. Retrieve the Trip Planner, obtainable at all Visitor Centers, to identify specific service providers.
- Mule Rides: Renowned mule rides can be provisionally accessible with advance arrangements; reach out to 928-638-2631.
- Scenic Air Tours: Fixed-wing and helicopter excursions over the canyon; Acquire a list of air tour operators at Visitor Centers.
- Desert View Bookstore.
- Tusayan Museum: An insight into Pueblo Indian life at the Grand Canyon nearly 800 years ago.
Accommodation: The Grand Canyon offers diverse lodging options, from comfortable beds to campsites. Mather Campground, situated on the South Rim, has accessible sites available upon request. For a more luxurious stay on the South Rim, consider the El Tovar Hotel, Maswik Lodge, or Yavapai Lodge.
On the North Rim, the Grand Canyon Lodge is well-situated, yet be mindful that there are numerous stairs and some cabins may lack roll-in showers.
Facilities: Wheelchairs are available for checkout at various locations, including: North Rim Visitor Center; Visitor Center at Canyon View Information Plaza; Yavapai Observation Station; and Desert View Bookstore/Park Information. Complimentary shuttle services are also provided to facilitate visitor movement throughout the park.
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Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Attractions: Here are some notable highlights at Rocky Mountain National Park:
- Alpine Visitor Center: Operational only during summer months, featuring a bookstore, information desk, ranger-led programs, and exhibits focusing on the Alpine Tundra region.
- Trail Ridge Store: Offers a gift shop and snack bar.
- Beaver Meadows Visitor Center/Park Headquarters: Includes an auditorium, ranger talks, and a bookstore.
- Fall River Visitor Center: Hosts wildlife exhibits, visitor information, a discovery room for children, and ranger talks.
- Kawuneeche Visitor Center: Provides ranger talks, an auditorium, and exhibits.
- Moraine Park Museum: Features natural and cultural history exhibits along with ranger-led programs.
- Endovalley Picnic Area: Equipped with fully accessible picnic tables and vault toilets.
Accommodation: Three campgrounds have ISA-designated sites to cater to individuals with disabilities: Glacier Basin Campground; Moraine Park Campground; and Timber Creek Campground.
Additionally, Sprague Lake Camp is a backcountry site that is accessible, accommodating 12 individuals, and features a vault toilet, picnic tables, and a fire ring with grill. Reservations are required for Sprague Lake Camp, along with a backcountry permit; contact the Backcountry Office at 970-586-1242.
Facilities: The Estes Park Quota Club provides wheelchairs and various hospital equipment for loan. Arrangements can be made through the Estes Park Medical Center at 970-586-2317; a minor, refundable deposit is required for all equipment.
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Yosemite National Park, California
Attractions: The following sites are accessible and served by shuttle:
- Yosemite Valley Visitor Center: Features exhibits, a bookstore, and a theater.
- Yosemite Museum: Contains an art gallery, demonstrations, a giant sequoia tree, and interpretive ranger services.
- Indian Village of Ahwahnee: A reconstructed village offering outdoor displays.
- The Ansel Adams Gallery: Displays works of Ansel Adams and contemporary photographers.
- Yosemite Art Center: Art classes are available during summer and fall; for further details, contact 209-372-1442.
- Lower Yosemite Fall: The world’s fifth tallest waterfall.
Accommodation: Three campgrounds within the Valley offer accessible campsites that accommodate wheelchairs: Lower Pines, Upper Pines, and North Pines. Certain sites feature accessible fire rings and picnic tables designed with extended tops. Lower Pines also provides electric power for charging wheelchairs.
Additional lodging alternatives include: The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Lodge, Curry Village, and Housekeeping Camp.
Facilities: Both manual wheelchairs and electric scooters can be rented at the bicycle-rental stand located at Yosemite Lodge and Curry Village. It is recommended to make reservations by contacting 209-372-8319.
Accessible shuttle buses circulate throughout various areas within the park, equipped with wheelchair lifts and tie-downs. For more information, reach out to 209-372-1240.
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Olympic National Park, Washington
Attractions: At Rocky Mountain National Park, visitors can explore Pacific Ocean beaches, rain forest valleys, and glacier-capped summits. Consider the following:
- The Living Forest Trail: Proceed through the forest toward a view of Peabody Creek Valley.
- Olympic National Park Visitor Center at Port Angeles: Features multiple exhibits regarding the park’s natural and cultural history.
- Madison Falls Trail: Paved trail leading to a 60-foot high cascade.
- Rialto Beach: A brief paved trail provides access to a picnic area within the coastal forest. In summer, a short ramp leads to an overlook of the beach.
- Hurricane Ridge Area: Numerous trails and an accessibility-friendly visitor center exist here; an excellent location for viewing wildflowers and wildlife.
Accommodation: Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort provides accessible hot spring pools, rental cabins, a restaurant, and lodge facilities—making it an ideal place to stay. Lake Crescent Lodge also offers accessible accommodations, complete with rooms, a restaurant, and lounge.
Camping facilities are available at various sites, including Altair, Elwha, Fairholme, Heart O’ the Hills, Hoh, Kalaloch, Mora, and Sol Duc.
Facilities: Wheelchairs are available for use at the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center, which also boasts informative exhibits, as well as at the Living Forest Trail.
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Glacier National Park, Montana
Attractions: Glacier National Park has made significant strides to enhance accessibility for visitors with disabilities.
- Avalanche: Features two popular hiking trails, a picnic area, and restrooms.
- Goat Lick: An exposed riverbank where mountain goats and other wildlife frequent to lick mineral-rich cliffs.
- McDonald Falls: The trail culminates at a secluded gorge.
- Running Eagle Falls: A stunning site that holds sacred significance for the Blackfeet (Southern Piegan) tribe.
- Trail of the Cedars: A route that is partially paved and partially a boardwalk, offering excellent opportunities for nature appreciation.
- Two Dog Flats: A great vantage point where the prairies meet the mountains.
- Two Medicine: A serene lake setting offering picturesque views of Rising Wolf Mountain.
Accommodation: Accessible lodging can be located at various lodges: Glacier Park Lodge; Lake McDonald Cabins; Lake McDonald Lodge; Many Glacier Hotel; Rising Sun Motor Inn; Swiftcurrent Motor Inn; and Village Inn at Apgar.
For camping enthusiasts, options include: Apgar Campsite, Avalanche Campsite, Fish Creek Campsite, Rising Sun Campsite, Sprague Creek, and Two Medicine Campsite.
Facilities: Fully accessible Visitor Centers are available, along with an efficient shuttle service that simplifies transportation.
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Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Colorado
Attractions: Not only is Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve welcoming, but it also presents some of the most distinctive activities available!
- The Dunefield: Experience riding specially designed sand wheelchairs intended for over-sand travel.
- Dunes Picnic Area: A shaded location featuring accessible pathways.
- Interpretive Programs: Most programs are designed with accessibility in mind, and nature walks offer the option of dunes wheelchairs.
- Viewing Deck: This new addition grants barrier-free access for photographers and those wishing to observe family members hiking in the dunes.
Accommodation: Campers can explore the backcountry at Sawmill Canyon with facilities that include an elevated tent pad, an accessible picnic table, a fire grate, firewood, food storage containers, and an accessible privy. Pinyon Flats Campground also provides an accessible stay with excellent restrooms and trails.
The Great Sand Dunes Lodge and Zapata Ranch also offer accessible accommodations.
Facilities: The sand wheelchair is an innovative option enabling visitors to thoroughly enjoy all aspects of the park. Reservations for the wheelchair can be made in advance by contacting the Visitor Center at 719-378-6399.
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Access Pass
Discover the procedure to acquire the Access Pass (formerly known as the Golden Access Passport), which provides a complimentary lifetime pass for U.S. citizens with permanent disabilities.
