Most Accessible National Parks: Where Wheelchairs Actually Work
Five parks stand out because a full day works on surfaces that hold up: Congaree, which is essentially one long elevated boardwalk through old growth forest, the Grand Canyon South Rim, with miles of paved rim path and shuttles that kneel, Zion, where the Pa'rus Trail runs 3.5 paved miles through the canyon and the buses have ramps, Yellowstone, which puts most of its geysers on boardwalk, and the Everglades, where the Anhinga Trail and the Shark Valley tram are both usable. Entry is free for US citizens and permanent residents with a permanent disability through the Access Pass.
The five that work best
- Congaree, South Carolina. The 2.4 mile elevated boardwalk loop through the tallest hardwood canopy in North America is the main experience of the park, and it is fully accessible. Almost no other national park can say its best trail is its accessible one. See our Congaree itinerary.
- Grand Canyon South Rim, Arizona. The Rim Trail is paved for long stretches between Pipe Creek Vista and Monument Creek Vista, the free shuttles are wheelchair accessible, and an accessibility permit lets you drive Hermit Road when it is closed to private cars. Yavapai Geology Museum and Mather Point are both step free.
- Zion, Utah. The Pa'rus Trail runs 3.5 paved miles from the visitor centre up the canyon, wide enough for wheelchairs and bikes, and it is the only trail in the park where dogs are allowed. Shuttle buses have ramps and securement, and the Riverside Walk is paved with a gentle grade.
- Yellowstone, Wyoming. The geyser basins are boardwalk by design. Old Faithful, Midway, Fountain Paint Pot, West Thumb and the Mammoth terraces all have accessible sections, though some boardwalks have steps partway round, so read the park accessibility page for which loops are complete.
- Everglades, Florida. The Anhinga Trail boardwalk delivers alligators at close range on a flat surface, the Shark Valley tram tour is accessible, and Pa-hay-okee and Mahogany Hammock are both raised walkways.
Strong accessible days in other parks
- Rocky Mountain: the Sprague Lake loop is 0.8 miles of hard packed accessible trail with the Continental Divide reflected in the water, and Trail Ridge Road delivers 12,000 feet from the car.
- Yosemite: the Lower Yosemite Fall loop and Cook's Meadow boardwalk are step free, the valley shuttle is accessible, and the Bridalveil Fall area was rebuilt with accessible paths.
- Acadia: parts of the carriage road network are hard packed and gently graded, and the Jordan Pond and Ocean Path areas have accessible sections. The summit road up Cadillac Mountain does the climbing for you.
- Mammoth Cave: an accessible cave tour runs by lift into the cave itself, which is unusual anywhere in the world.
- Cuyahoga Valley: the Towpath Trail is flat and hard surfaced for miles, and the park has been one of the leaders in lending all terrain wheelchairs.
- Hot Springs: the Grand Promenade and Bathhouse Row are level and paved, and Fordyce Bathhouse has a lift.
The Access Pass
US citizens and permanent residents with a permanent disability can get a free lifetime Access Pass, which covers entrance at every national park and federal recreation site and gives a discount on federal campgrounds. Apply online with documentation for a small processing fee, or get one in person at a park entrance for free. It covers everyone in the vehicle.
All terrain wheelchairs
A growing number of parks and state parks lend track or balloon tyre wheelchairs at no charge, which open up trails no standard chair can manage. Availability changes park by park and season by season, so phone the park directly rather than relying on a list. Ask three questions: whether a chair is available on your dates, which specific trails staff recommend for it, and whether it needs a companion to push.
How to check a trail before you commit
- Read the park's own accessibility page, which lists trail surfaces, grades and toilet facilities in detail. It is far better than third party lists.
- Phone the visitor centre. Rangers know which boardwalk has three steps at the far end.
- Watch out for the word paved. Paved with a 12 percent grade is not accessible, and the Grand Canyon Rim Trail has sections like that.
- Check shuttle securement as well as ramps. Zion and Grand Canyon buses have both, but seasonal services elsewhere sometimes do not.
- Ask about accessibility driving permits, which several parks issue to let you drive roads that are otherwise shuttle only.
Have us plan an accessible trip
Tell us your dates and what surfaces and distances work for you, and we will build days around trails that genuinely hold up, with the parking and the facilities checked. Planning is free, and we earn only if you book through us.
Most Accessible National Parks: Where Wheelchairs Actually Work FAQs
Congaree in South Carolina. Its 2.4 mile elevated boardwalk loop is both the park's best trail and fully accessible, which is unusual. Grand Canyon South Rim and Zion are the strongest of the big western parks.
Entry is. US citizens and permanent residents with a permanent disability can get a free lifetime Access Pass covering entrance at every national park and federal recreation site, plus a discount on federal campgrounds. It also covers everyone in the vehicle.
The Congaree boardwalk loop, the Pa'rus Trail in Zion, long paved stretches of the Grand Canyon Rim Trail, the Sprague Lake loop in Rocky Mountain, the Anhinga Trail in the Everglades and most Yellowstone geyser boardwalks.
A growing number lend them free of charge, though availability varies by park and season. Phone the visitor centre to confirm your dates, ask which trails staff recommend, and check whether a companion is needed to push.
Often, yes. Several parks issue an accessibility driving permit that allows private vehicles on roads otherwise closed to them, including Hermit Road at the Grand Canyon. Ask at the entrance station or visitor centre.
Yellowstone, because the geyser basins are boardwalk with short distances between car parks, and Rocky Mountain, where Trail Ridge Road reaches alpine tundra with a few level steps from the car.
