Top 7 National Parks for Wheelchair Accessibility

National parks have always been among America's finest treasures, and their popularity has surged over the past year. With expansive outdoor areas that make social distancing easy, more visitors are discovering the stunning natural landscapes these parks offer.

While it's great to see national parks receiving the acclaim they deserve, wheelchair users may encounter challenges in certain areas. Many famous outdoor sites feature rugged terrain and steep paths, yet there are also numerous wonderfully accessible national parks. With user-friendly trails, scenic drives, and breathtaking overlooks, these parks welcome all visitors. Here are seven of the best national parks for wheelchair users to enjoy.

Acadia National Park

As the only national park in New England, Acadia is a must-see if you find yourself in northern Maine. It offers a range of amenities, including accessible beaches, picnic spots, and wheelchair-friendly trails, allowing you to fully experience the beauty of Maine.

Acadia National Park provides free shuttle services to nearby village centers, with accessible options available for those who need them. For beachgoers, Echo Lake is the top accessible beach choice, complete with wheelchair-accessible parking, restrooms, and a path leading directly to the water.

No visit to a national park is complete without exploring its trails. Fortunately, Acadia features several accessible options. The Jesup Path, which winds through a beautiful white birch forest, boasts a smooth boardwalk, making it ideal for wheelchair users. Additionally, Acadia's 45-mile carriage road system offers a delightful and easy route for those using wheelchairs. For those who prefer a more traditional experience, two wheelchair-accessible carriages are available at Wildwood Stables for a guided ride along the carriage roads.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Unlike many national parks, Carlsbad Caverns invites you to descend into the largest accessible cave chamber in North America. Thanks to an elevator, visitors can now easily travel over 750 feet underground in just about a minute, making the caverns accessible to all.

Nestled in the Guadalupe Mountains of New Mexico, Carlsbad Caverns boasts one of the world's most breathtaking cave systems. After descending via the elevator, you'll find yourself in the "Big Room," a vast cave chamber featuring over a mile of paved pathways. Stunning limestone formations can be seen from every angle along the trails. While most paths are easily navigable, some areas may be steep and narrow, so it's wise to proceed with caution and consider bringing a companion for the self-guided tour.

Grand Canyon National Park

Can we discuss national parks without mentioning the Grand Canyon? Certainly not, as the Grand Canyon is undoubtedly one of the most wheelchair-friendly national parks in the nation. It's a must-visit spot for individuals of all abilities, and for very good reasons.

The Grand Canyon features both the North and South rims. While the North Rim offers a visitor center and scenic drives, making it worthwhile to visit, the South Rim stands out as the most popular and accessible option.

The South Rim features accessible shuttle buses, a visitor center, and numerous viewpoints and trails that accommodate wheelchairs. The Trail of Time is an essential 1.3-mile path that connects Verkamp's Visitor Center to the Yavapai Geology Museum. On this trail, you'll discover fascinating facts and enjoy breathtaking views of the canyon, offering a unique perspective unlike any other. For those wishing to stay overnight at the Grand Canyon, accommodations are available at the South Rim, but it's advisable to book well ahead of time as spots fill up quickly.

Great Sand Dunes National Park

While sand dunes and wheelchairs may not seem like a perfect match, Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado proves otherwise. Recently, this national park has enhanced its accessibility, making it an ideal time for wheelchair users to explore.

The visitor center offers a limited number of specialized sand wheelchairs designed to help navigate the dunes with ease. These sand wheelchairs resemble manual beach wheelchairs equipped with large inflatable tires. To use one, simply provide your ID and return the chair at least 30 minutes before the center closes. You can also reserve a sand wheelchair in advance by calling 719-378-6395.

In addition to enjoying the dunes, there are accessible ranger programs available, along with a wheelchair-friendly picnic area that features a smooth path leading to an accessible restroom. Great Sand Dunes may be one of the country's lesser-known national parks, but it's a stunning and remarkably accessible destination.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States and one of the largest, spanning both Tennessee and North Carolina. With 95% of the park covered in forest, it offers numerous trails to explore, including several wheelchair-accessible options and even drivable paths.

Two essential drivable routes are Cades Cove and the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Cades Cove features an 11-mile loop that, while seemingly short, can take two to four hours to traverse due to the abundance of sights. During a typical drive, you may spot deer, turkeys, bears, and other wildlife. Similarly, the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is also drivable and provides great opportunities for wildlife viewing. At 5.5 miles, it's half the length of Cades Cove but equally captivating, featuring a waterfall known as the Place of a Thousand Drips.

If you prefer to leave your vehicle and explore some accessible trails, there are several options available. The Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail is the most accessible, being fully paved and flat, stretching half a mile along a river. Another option is the Little River Trail, which, although not paved, offers a smooth and flat path for the first mile (two miles round-trip).

Shenandoah National Park

Situated in Virginia, Shenandoah National Park is a stunning destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Like the Great Smoky Mountains, it features both drivable routes and accessible trails.

Skyline Drive is the only public road in Shenandoah National Park, stretching 105 miles across the entire park. This paved road is easy to navigate and typically takes about three hours to drive its full length. Along the way, you might encounter wildlife and can stop at 69 scenic overlooks to enjoy breathtaking views of Shenandoah Valley. Approximately 25% of these overlooks have wheelchair-accessible parking, allowing you to step out of your vehicle for memorable photos.

Limberlost Trail is the park's sole fully accessible trail, recognized as one of the best in the nation for wheelchair users. This flat, smooth 1.3-mile loop is primarily made of crushed greenstone. Another trail, the Rose River Trail, offers some accessibility but may present challenges for certain users. The first mile features uneven terrain as a dirt road with gravel; however, it is manageable for motorized wheelchairs. Manual wheelchairs or scooters might find it more difficult. After a mile, you’ll reach Dark Hollow Falls, a stunning waterfall that makes the effort worthwhile.

Yellowstone National Park

This national park spans three states: Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. As one of the world's most iconic national parks, Yellowstone is a must-visit destination that offers exceptional accessibility.

Accessing popular attractions at Yellowstone, such as the Old Faithful geyser, is straightforward. There are several accessible paths, and complimentary wheelchairs are available for use at the Old Faithful, Grand Canyon, Mammoth (Albright), Norris, and Fishing Bridge visitor centers on a first-come, first-served basis.

Yellowstone National Park provides countless experiences, including incredible wildlife viewing and fishing opportunities. An accessible fishing area is located on the Madison River at the Mount Haynes Overlook, along with accessible picnic areas in the Madison region.

In summary

The seven national parks mentioned above are amazing destinations for wheelchair users, but they are far from the only accessible options available. America's National Park System is impressive, and nearly all parks offer some level of accessibility, so feel free to start your exploration regardless of your abilities.