In 2024, a record 331.8 million people visited national parks in the United States. National parks offer a range of experiences for visitors — from museum exhibits and self-guided tours to scenic views and homesteading.
Parks can be difficult for people with disabilities or mobility issues to navigate. However, in the last decade, the National Parks Service has committed to improving accessibility and making their parks enjoyable for everyone. Now, popular national parks like Yellowstone and Yosemite have translators, mobility devices, and paved trails that make the amenities of the park more accessible to people who need accommodations to enjoy them.
If you’re thinking about visiting a national park, summer is a great time to experience what they have to offer. Whether you’re going for a day trip or camping for a few days, here’s what you need to know about accessible national parks to visit this summer.
How to plan your accessible national park adventure
National parks have some of the most breathtaking views in the country, boasting spectacular scenery from sand dunes and rare foliage to waterfalls and unique species. Given the popularity of national parks, it’s best to plan ahead to ensure you have the best experience possible, especially if you have accessibility needs.
Here’s how to effectively plan for an accessible park visit:
- Do your research: Research the national park(s) you want to visit and figure out what amenities and attractions are available, as well as park closures and weather updates. Ask around, read reviews, and dig into online resources so you get a good idea of what to expect.
- Download the app: The National Park Service app is a great research resource, as it provides interactive maps, park tour details, and information about accessibility accommodations.
- Make reservations early: The summer is a popular time for outdoor activities, including park visits, so be sure to book your trip early. Plus, accessibility accommodations tend to fill up fast, so reserving your tickets, campsites, or tours early is important for a great experience.
- Don’t over-plan: Make a plan for the attractions you want to visit, but leave room for recommendations from people who work at the park and know all the must-see spots.
4 must-see accessible national parks
The National Park Service has improved accessibility across locations, making it easier for people with accessibility needs to enjoy them. Each park has different accommodations that help make your visit more enjoyable — from wheelchair-accessible trails to audio descriptions of exhibits. These are some of the best national parks for disabled visitors:
- Yosemite National Park: Known for its majestic waterfalls, Yosemite offers an accessibility guide, a deaf services program, and all-terrain wheelchairs for rent.
- Yellowstone National Park: America’s first national park, Yellowstone is famous for Old Faithful, the geyser that reliably shoots water over 100 feet every 44 minutes. In addition to audio/visual assistance like closed captioning and assistive listening, Yellowstone also provides wheelchair paths and ADA-compliant amenities.
- Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve: Home to the tallest sand dunes in North America, this park boasts an amazing and diverse vista. Thanks to sand wheelchairs and accessible campsites, people with low mobility can enjoy the Great Sand Dunes up close.
- Acadia National Park: One of the top ten most visited national parks in the U.S., Acadia is home to hundreds of miles of hiking trails and many different habitats. Fare-free wheelchair-accessible buses and ADA-compliance facilities make Acadia one of the best national parks for mobility impaired people to experience all it has to offer.
Accessibility accommodations for maximum park enjoyment
National parks provide various accessibility features to cater to visitors with mobility issues, hearing loss, and visual impairments. In addition to the features named above, here are some other accessibility features in national parks:
- Mobility devices: Many wheelchair accessible parks have terrain-suitable mobility devices for rent.
- Braille translation: Some parks provide braille translations or other tactile information for park exhibits and publications.
- Interpreters and hearing support: When requested in advance, visitors have access to a sign language interpreter and live captioning for park events.
- Accessible amenities: Most national parks provide wheelchair accessible amenities like campgrounds, visitor centers, and bathrooms.
Top tips for planning accessible national park trips
Planning ahead for your trip to a national park ensures you get to take in all the sights comfortably. Here are some tips to keep in mind when visiting accessible national parks.
- Read accessibility guidebooks: In addition to the National Park Service app, read accessibility guidebooks written by disabled and low-mobility people specifically for disabled visitors.
- Pace yourself: Don’t try to cram everything into the few days you’re there. Pace yourself and take advantage of the accessibility accommodations available.
- Prepare for the heat: Come prepared to handle the high heat of the summer. Rent or buy gear to help you keep cool as you explore the park.
Making the most out of your national park visit
With 433 park sites and over 60 national parks, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Thanks to a recent initiative at the National Park Service, many parks have more accessibility options for people with disabilities like low mobility and hearing or visual impairment. As you prepare to visit this summer, be sure to do your research and make reservations ahead of time so you know what to expect and have the best experience possible.
