(Access the large print version of this page) Accessible Trails in National Parks Alaska Region Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska
All of Denali’s ADA trails have a compacted gravel surface, 3 to 10 feet wide. No matter how close to the road visitors are, they may encounter wildlife on any trail, from songbirds and ground squirrels to bear and moose. Be alert and leave no trace. The Denali Bike Trail serves as the main pedestrian artery connecting the park entrance with the Denali Visitor Center. It parallels the Park Road for 1.6 miles, providing access to the Riley Creek Campground and Mercantile, the Wilderness Access Center, the Bus & Train Depots, and the Visitor Center Campus. 5% maximum grade, 10 feet wide. The Jonesville Trail is a 0.4-mile, forested shortcut between the Riley Creek Mercantile and the paved Canyon bike trail west of the Parks Highway. 8% maximum grade, 3 feet wide. A 1.5-mile, scenic hike through diverse taiga forest, the McKinley Station Trail connects the Riley Creek Campground with the visitor center. The trail affords great views of cultural sites, Hines Creek, the railroad trestle, and the Alaska Range. 8-10% maximum grade, 6 feet wide. Originating from behind the Denali Visitor Center, the 0.2-mile Spruce Forest Trail is a great option for a short, flat jaunt through taiga forest. Visitors can follow the McKinley Station Trail 0.2 mile from the visitor center to reach the 0.2-mile Morino Loop Trail, which includes interpretive historical sites. 2-3% maximum grade, 6 feet wide. The Taiga Trail from the visitor center to the Healy Overlook Junction is 0.5 mile long and passes through mixed taiga forest with views of the surrounding mountains. 8% maximum grade, 3 feet wide. Further out on the Park Road, visitors can make a stop near the Savage River. The Savage Cabin Trail is 0.3 mile long and 8 feet wide and has interpretive signs terminating at the historic Savage log cabin. Visitors can also park at mile 13 on the west side of the bridge over the Savage River and take the Savage River Trail downstream for 0.4 mile, adding on the Savage Bar Trail for an extra 0.25-mile loop. These 3 to 4-foot wide trails afford beautiful views and possible wildlife sightings. Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska
The trails to the Brooks Falls and Riffles bear viewing platforms are accessible; however, there is a strong possibility visitors will need to leave the trail and enter the woods to allow bears to pass, especially during high bear densities. For those with limited mobility, the narrow dirt paths in Brooks Camp are rough. They can become very muddy and slippery during the frequent rainy days. Most of the public buildings in Brooks Camp, including the restroom facilities, are accessible via ramps. Visitors should contact one of the local air taxi companies about their transportation and that of any specialized equipment they may need. Wheelchairs and personal services are not available for assisting visitors around the Brooks Camp area. Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska
A wheelchair accessible trail begins on the paved trail from the parking area and leads to an interpretive kiosk. From the kiosk, a new, accessible spur trail of compacted gravel travels for 1000 feet through the forest to a view of Exit Glacier. There are plans to turn this one-way trail into an accessible loop trail in summer 2007. Sitka National Historical Park, Alaska
The gravel-based, woodchip-covered trails in the park are accessible for many types of wheelchairs. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Alaska
The grounds have paved walkways, and a scenic section of the boreal forest nature trail is paved. The trail provides inspiring views of the Wrangell Mountains and the Copper River. During summer months, park rangers regularly present short interpretive programs along the paved section of this trail. Intermountain Region Arches National Park, Utah
Approximately 0.2 mile of the 0.3-mile Balanced Rock Trail are paved. Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, Montana
At Devil Canyon Overlook, a short wheelchair accessible trail was laid to allow better access to the beautiful views Devil Canyon has to offer. Fort Union National Monument, New Mexico
An interpretive trail (1.5 miles) through historic ruins is paved with crusher fines (compacted material that holds up to wheelchair traffic). Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
The Rim Trail extends from the village area to Hermits Rest. Users can begin from any viewpoint in the village or along Hermit Road. Rim trails offer excellent walking and quiet views of the inner canyon for visitors who desire an easy hike. By using the shuttle buses, visitors can customize their hikes to meet their needs. Part of the trail is paved and accessible. For more information, please see: http://www.nps.gov/grca/parknews/upload/AccessibilityGuide06.pdf Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Hiking trails in the park offer varying degrees of difficulty. Some trails, like those at Jenny Lake, String Lake, and Colter Bay, are easily accessible. Wide, paved trails with gentle slopes lead to the shore of Jenny Lake. A level, paved trail, dotted with rustic log benches, follows the String Lake shoreline. The Colter Bay Lakeshore Trail, along the eastern shore of Jackson Lake, is paved for a third of a mile beginning at the marina. An entirely accessible trail located at the south end of the Jackson Lake Dam offers tremendous views of Jackson Lake and the Teton Range. Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, Texas
The nature trail into the Johnson Settlement is accessible to those using wheelchairs or scooters, but it is composed of granite gravel and would be slow-going for people using chairs if they were unaided by others. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona
One short nature trail behind the visitor center is self-guiding and accessible. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
For a list of the park’s accessible trails, please see http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/access.htm. Saguaro National Park, Arizona
At Saguaro, there are two districts on opposite sides of the Tucson metro area. Both districts have a visitor center with a short trail through a cactus garden outside the center. Both trails are accessible. Each district has one accessible, self-guiding nature trail (a trail with a hardened surface) about .25 mile in length. The Desert Ecology Trail is in the east district, and the Desert Discovery Trail is in the west district. White Sands National Monument, New Mexico
Visitors in wheelchairs can access the elevated, interdune boardwalk. A round-trip on this trail is 650 yards (585 km). This trail, located 4.5 miles (7.2 km) from the visitor center, leads through a fragile interdune area to a scenic view at the top of a dune. All plant life in the dune field starts in interdune areas, and the boardwalk is the best place to get a close look at many of the wildflowers that grow in the park while protecting its resources. There are informational signs and benches at various points along the trail. The boardwalk, which opened to public use in April 2005, is constructed of aluminum, which supports a deck and handrails made of recycled plastic lumber. The structure is not tied to a fixed location and can be re- routed to accommodate dune movement. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
LeHardy Rapids (between Canyon and Fishing Bridge)
The trail from the north parking lot is accessible and marked. No parking is designated. Terrace Springs (just north of Madison Junction)
All features are accessible. A steep grade exists in the middle of the loop, which requires assistance. The area of Terrace Springs provides the visitor with a short boardwalk tour of hot springs. Old Faithful Area ( Upper Geyser Basin)
The geyser Old Faithful is accessible from the visitor center. An accessible bike/pedestrian path leads from the visitor center 1.5 miles to Morning Glory Pool in a 3- mile round-trip. This path is also accessible from the Lower Hamilton General Store near Old Faithful Inn. Castle Geyser and Crested Pool are only 0.2 mile from this point. This access also reduces the round-trip distance to Morning Glory Pool to 2.4 miles. Midwest Region Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, Iowa
An asphalt walkway leads to the prairie trailhead. The incline is steep, and assistance will be necessary for those in wheelchairs. Prairie trails are mowed grass. Homestead National Monument of America, Nebraska
The Homestead Heritage Center has a .5-mile trail that is accessible. The Homestead Education Center has a paved trail to a homesteader cabin and a farm implement room. Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota
The main walkway from the parking area through the main visitor areas leading to and including the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center & amphitheater is fully accessible. Accessible from this main visitor area is a 0.25 mile section of trail that provides interpretive panels and unique views of the sculpture at the base of the mountain. This section of trail along the Presidential Trail loop is perfect for those with mobility concerns. It has a paved surface in some areas and a boardwalk in others. There are no stairs on this western section of the trail leading to the base of the mountain carving. Additional sections of the trail are currently not accessible do to elevation changes and numerous stairs. Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Missouri
There is an accessible trail to Big Spring within Ozark National Scenic Riverways. An average of 280 million gallons of water flows through this spring each day. It is the largest natural spring in the National Park System; the fourth largest spring in the United States; and the ninth largest in the world. An accessible trail of approximately 0.25 mile was constructed in 2007. There are accessible benches for visitors who wish to pause and enjoy the spring's roar and the natural beauty of the cliffs, trees, and crystal clear water. St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, Wisconsin
The Indianhead Flowage trail, one mile north of St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin at Lions Park, is wheelchair accessible with a campsite on the river at the furthest point. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan
The Duneside Accessible Nature Trail is located at the Dune Climb. The trail (0.9 mile round-trip) begins at the north end of the picnic area and parking lot. It is level and made of packed graded crushed limestone, so it is easy to walk or to push a wheelchair on it. Several interpretive signs and benches occur along the trail. Please go to http://www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/trailduneside.htm for a trail map and more description of the trail. Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, Kansas
The Bottomland Nature Trail is wheelchair accessible. It is in a prairie restoration area with interpretive waysides, an information kiosk, benches, and a comfort station. It is on the southern edge of the preserve, not far from the historic ranch headquarters on K-177. The trail includes two loops. One is .75 mile, and the second is .5 mile. Visitors may see deer, wild turkey, insects, and many other animals common to the preserve. All areas, including the picnic area, are wheelchair accessible. Northeast Region Acadia National Park, Maine
Sieur de Monts Spring Area
The Wild Gardens of Acadia are adjacent to the parking lot. Garden paths have a packed gravel surface. Assistance may be helpful. The Hemlock Road begins to the right of the parking lot’s entrance. The hard-packed path meanders through woodlands at the base of Dorr Mountain and is 1.5 miles round- trip. For the Adventurous and Hardy Wonderland Trail
The Wonderland Trail’s parking area is located west of Seawall Campground on Route 102A. Following an abandoned road, the trail has both level and hilly sections. Toward the end, the trail leaves the woods and opens onto the shoreline at the tip of the Wonderland Peninsula. Assistance may be necessary in several places, but the view is worth the effort. The trail is 1.4 miles round-trip. Ship Harbor Trail
The Ship Harbor Trail’s parking lot is located west of Seawall Campground on Route 102A. The first quarter of a mile is a hard-packed surface leading to the mudflats. Access to intertidal pools is over rocky, uneven terrain. Users may require assistance on steep grades. The trail is 1.3 miles round-trip. Man o' War Brook Fire Road
Users can park in the small unmarked gravel parking area on the east side of Route 102, one-eighth of a mile north of the larger, paved Acadia Mountain parking area. The abandoned road runs through a mixed growth woodland. The road is about one mile long. Users should beware of uphill and downhill grades, washouts, and exposed culverts. The trail is 2 miles round-trip. Carroll Homestead Self-Guided Trail
Visitors can explore the grounds of the Carroll Homestead on a hard-packed but root-covered and uneven path. Assistance may be necessary. A pamphlet for self-guided use of the trail is available. Accessible parking is available at the end of the road adjacent to the house. The trail is .5 mile round-trip. Jordan Pond Trails
Parking can be found in the north lower lot of the Jordan Pond area. Some paths are accessible and offer beautiful views of the pond and connections to the carriage roads. Carriage Roads
Carriage roads offer the best access to many interior areas. The two easiest roads are listed below. Others tend to be steeper and slightly uneven and to include sections of loose sand or gravel, or rocky areas. Extended use of the carriage roads depends on visitors’ ability and endurance. When following the carriage roads, users should be aware of washouts, steep grades, bicycle traffic, and horses on some sections. Assistance may help. Eagle Lake
The Eagle Lake parking area on Route 233 has accessible restrooms and parking. To the north, the carriage roads lead towards Breakneck Pond, Half Moon Pond, and Witch Hole Pond (5.3 miles round-trip). To the south, under the stone bridge, the carriage roads lead in two directions around Eagle Lake (6 miles round-trip). Bubble Pond
The parking area, located off the Park Loop Road, has accessible restrooms and parking. Visitors can follow the level trail to the north end of Bubble Pond. From there, they have access to the carriage roads, one of which borders the pond. In Acadia, service animals must be leashed at all times. They are allowed in all of the park’s facilities and on all of its trails unless closed by order of the superintendent. Some trails, however, are very steep and require the use of iron rung ladders. These trails should be avoided:
- Precipice
- Beehive
- Ladder Trail to Dorr Mountain
- Cadillac Mountain - West Face (from Bubble Pond)
- Beech Cliff (from Echo Lake)
- Perpendicular Trail ( Mansell Mountain)
Johnstown Flood National Memorial, Pennsylvania
Both the North and South Abutment Trails of the South Fork Dam are wheelchair accessible. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
The Limberlost Trail is an accessible trail, a gently sloping, 1.3-mile loop with a 5 foot-wide greenstone surface. The trail circles through forest and mountain laurel and includes a 65-foot bridge and a 150-foot boardwalk. Pacific West Region Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Hawai’i
Accessible pathways include Waldron Ledge (Earthquake Trail), Devastation Trail, Pauahi Crater, Muliwai a Pele, and Kealakomo Overlook. Olympic National Park, Washington
A good source of information about the accessibility of the park’s trails may be found at http://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm. Yosemite National Park, California
For detailed information as of May 2006 about the accessibility of trails in Yosemite, please consult the park’s Accessibility Guide at http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/upload/access.pdf. Southeast Region Congaree National Park, South Carolina
Congaree National Park features a 2.4 mile wheelchair-accessible boardwalk loop which takes visitors into the one of the tallest deciduous forests in the world. The boardwalk meanders through an ancient floodplain forest with both ground level and elevated views of this tremendously diverse ecosystem. All public facilities are ADA/ABAS compliant, including the visitor center and outdoor picnic shelter. A small number of wheel chairs are available for visitors to borrow. Congaree NP also offers wheelchair-accessible primitive camping at the main campground. Facilities include an elevated fire ring, picnic table and ADA compliant port-a-johns. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, North Carolina
Most trails in the park are steep and rugged. However, an accessible trail made possible through a public-private partnership is located on Newfound Gap Road, just south of Sugarlands Visitor Center. Accessible interpretive exhibits along the .5-mile, paved trail describe unique historic and natural features as the trail winds through second growth forest along the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River. Clay tactile exhibits, a large print brochure, and porcelain enamel wayside exhibits are available on site. An audiotape tour is available from Sugarlands Visitor Center. Users should look for the tracks of a black bear that wandered across the freshly poured concrete when the trail was built. The website http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm contains information about the accessibility of some other trails and paths in the park. Everglades National Park, Florida
The website http://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/trails.htm features links to listings of trails in the park’s four areas. The lists contain links to websites about each trail. These sites describe a trail and indicate whether it is wheelchair accessible. The brochure http://www.nps.gov/bicy/parknews/upload/tripplanner0607lowresfinal.pdf also offers information about accessible trails. |
