Mobility concerns and physical limitations shouldn’t stop you from crossing the country’s best nature areas off your travel bucket list.
Though US National Parks are normally associated with rugged terrain and exhaustive hiking, there are tons of parks that are easy to navigate with wheelchairs, walkers, bad knees, or tough joints.
Awaken your adventurous side by exploring the most accessible national parks throughout the country.
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Aging In Place ranks Badlands as the country’s most accessible national park. Over 17% of trails within the Badlands region are wheelchair-friendly, allowing visitors of all mobility levels to enjoy the rugged landscape. While visiting this South Dakota national park, watch for bison, bighorn sheep, and prairie dogs.
Yellowstone National Park, Montana
Over the years, Yellowstone National Park has continuously improved its infrastructure so everyone can enjoy its natural beauty. While some historic park areas are not ideal for those with mobility concerns, many accommodations are available. Boardwalks and paved paths throughout Yellowstone enable disabled visitors to view iconic sights like the Old Faithful Geyser and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River.
Yosemite National Park, California
Consider Yosemite National Park for your next adventure. The park has many paved trails, making exploration easy for wheelchair users. With numerous accessible accommodations, picnic areas, and viewpoints, everyone can take the trip of a lifetime to Yosemite.
Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
Did you know Great Sand Dunes National Park offers complimentary sand wheelchairs to navigate the park? Call the visitor center before your trip to reserve one for the day and prepare for endless fun.
These special wheelchairs have large balloon tires so you can get up close and personal with the otherworldly dunes. While pushing the sand wheelchairs takes a lot of effort, the unforgettable experience makes it worthwhile.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
Head underground to witness the unique beauty of Carlsbad Caverns, an iconic New Mexico national park. An elevator takes disabled visitors to the Big Room Trail, a one-mile-long accessible route through the cavern. Above the surface, you can go on a trail adventure, take a scenic drive, or participate in the park’s Bat Flight Program.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the ideal vacation spot for disabled and mature travelers. It offers many options for admiring picture-perfect scenery with minimal to no walking. The National Park Service has incorporated flat trails, ramps, and accessible facilities throughout the park to encourage inclusivity.
Gateway Arch National Park, Missouri
Missouri’s Gateway Arch National Park is excellent for anyone who needs special accommodations. Known as the Gateway to the West, most areas of the over 600’ arch are open to visitors who use mobility aids. While the top of the arch requires walking up almost 100 steps, the museum at the bottom is incredibly immersive and informational.
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Bryce Canyon is among the best Utah national parks for disabled visitors. Thanks to features like handicapped parking spaces and paved ramps, you can visit numerous scenic overlooks with minimal or no walking. Areas such as Natural Bridge and Inspiration Point offer sweeping views of Bryce Canyon’s distinctive landscape and vibrant rock formations.
Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
Visitors of all ability levels can experience Mammoth Cave National Park, home to the world’s longest cave system. An elevator entrance allows those with physical disabilities to embark on a specialized tour of Mammoth Cave. Discover more of the park’s history and environment at the visitor center and multiple wheelchair-friendly trails.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
For many, Grand Canyon National Park is the ultimate bucket list destination. Wheelchair-friendly shuttles and facilities strive to make every visitor feel included. You can even obtain a special permit that grants access to certain park areas closed to the general public.
Joshua Tree National Park, California
Joshua Tree National Park has much to discover regardless of your mobility level. From accessible campgrounds to visitor centers and trails, there are many ways for visitors with disabilities to explore the park. Admire stunning views of the rocky landscape, desert wildlife, and native plants during your trip to Joshua Tree.
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
The National Park Service has taken significant strides to make Shenandoah National Park an inclusive outdoor space. As one of the country’s most accessible national parks, Shenandoah is a must-visit. Limberlost Trail, an over one-mile, wheelchair-friendly path, is the perfect option to immerse yourself in the beautiful Shenandoah wilderness.
Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana
Indiana Dunes National Park welcomes travelers of all ages and ability levels. It boasts an impressive selection of tools and services to accommodate various needs. Make your way to the Lake Michigan shoreline using the park’s mobility devices, such as wheelchair beach mats and motorized vehicle rentals.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Accessible facilities allow visitors to spend one or multiple days savoring Grand Teton National Park’s grandeur. The park is dedicated to helping everyone see this region of Wyoming through paved trails, flat campgrounds, and wheelchair-friendly visitor centers. Every trip to Grand Teton guarantees lifelong memories.
Don’t let mobility concerns stop you from exploring the world
Planning a vacation with a disability or physical limitation can be daunting. Thankfully, many places worldwide welcome tourists of all ages and ability levels.
15 Accessible Destinations That Make Traveling With a Disability Easy
Europe is the ideal place for accessible adventures
Make your travel dreams a reality and book your flight to Europe. These bucket list-worthy cities encourage exploration with little to no walking required.
14 Accessible European Cities That Won’t Hurt Your Knees
Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
