As a travel writer since 1977, Candy Harrington has been writing about accessible travel exclusively since 1996. She’s the founding editor of Emerging Horizons, and the author of the popular Barrier-Free Travel national park series. With thousands of bylines to her credit, Candy hits the road often, in search of new accessible travel finds. Candy and her travel photographer husband Charles Pannell reside in NE Washington, where they tend to their chicken flock and enjoy a rural lifestyle.
If you’ve thought of visiting a Minnesota State Park, but felt you couldn’t navigate the terrain, then check out these loaner track chairs available at Minnesota State Parks. Unlike standard wheelchairs, these power track chairs have tank tracks rather than wheels, and they are excellent for use on inaccessible trails.
There’s no charge to borrow a track chair, but track chair-users will be required to sign a liability waiver. No verification of disability — such as an accessible parking placard or doctor’s note — is required. Although all locations have a transfer board, park staff are not allowed to assist with transfers, so if you can’t transfer independently you’ll need to bring along assistance. And don’t forget to pack along a water bottle and some snacks, as they are not usually available along the more rugged trails.
Advance reservations are required, so call the park directly to make sure the track chair is available on your desired date. Track chairs are available at the following Minnesota State Parks.
Located in Southwestern Colorado, Canyons of the Ancients National Monument (www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/colorado/canyons-of-the-ancients) is home to a high density of archeological sites filled with well preserved Native American artifacts. Although many sites on the 170,000 acre preserve lack wheelchair access and are located along dirt and gravel roads, it’s still possible for wheelchair-users and slow walkers to explore part of this national treasure.
In fact the Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum (www.blm.gov/learn/interpretive-centers/CANM-visitor-center-museum) is home to a substantial collection of artifacts and interpretive exhibits, as well as two excavated pueblos. And not only is it reachable without a four-wheel drive vehicle, but it also boasts excellent wheelchair access. So pack a picnic lunch, hit the road and enjoy a day immersed in the Ancestral Puebloan culture.
Learn About the Ancestral Puebloans
The Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum is located on Highway 184 in Dolores, which is about 10 miles northeast of Cortez. There’s accessible parking in the large lot, with ramp access up to the museum. A wheelchair is available for loan at the front desk, and there are also wheelchair-accessible restrooms in the building. And although there’s a small admission fee, there’s no charge for folks with an America the Beautiful Access Pass.
There’s level access to the theater, with plenty of room for wheelchairs on the sides. Two films are shown throughout the day. One presents two perspectives of the Four Corners area — from both archaeologists and Native Americans; while the other focuses on how to visit the sites with respect.
The bulk of the exhibits in this excellent archaeological museum focus on the Ancestral Puebloans and the historic cultures of the Four Corners Area. Once called the Anasazi, their civilization flourished for about 700 years and then mysteriously disappeared around the late 1200s. Exhibits include a large collection of baskets, pottery, weapons and knife blades, along with a large model of a two story pithouse. There’s barrier-free access throughout the galleries, and lift access to both levels of the pithouse.
A good chunk of the exhibits are devoted to archeological digs done in the area, and they include descriptions of the work at the sites, and artifacts excavated from them. There are lots of hands-on exhibits about the general work of archaeologists, and displays about how sites are excavated. And there are even real artifacts excavated from Ancestral Puebloan sites that you can pick up and touch. It’s a very comprehensive museum, with excellent wheelchair access.
Visit the Pueblos
In addition to the museum, there are also two pueblos to explore at this site. These multi-room units sometimes had more than one story, and included a subterranean ceremonial chamber, or kiva.
The Dominguez Pueblo is located along an accessible level path, right outside the museum. Although it dates back to 1123, it wasn’t excavated until the 1970s. It’s named for one of a pair of Spanish explorers who discovered other Puebloan ruins in the area. This four-room structure is believed to have been home to two families. A kiva was also discovered during the excavation, however it was later backfilled in order to protect the integrity of that fragile structure.
The Escalante Pueblo is located about a half-mile from the museum, along a paved trail. Although the trail was built to ADA standards, it’s uphill with level stretches to rest along the way. Benches and interpretive plaques dot the trail, and there’s level access to several ramadas which have standard picnic tables near the beginning of the trail. The trail is quite doable for power wheelchair-users, but manual wheelchair-users may need some assistance in a few places. The trail gradually climbs to the top of the hill, and offers some nice views of the countryside along the way.
There are level trails around the Escalante Pueblo, and a number of interpretive plaques offer insight to the former residents. This larger communal dwelling was also excavated in the 1970s, and it contains at least 20 rooms and a kiva. It’s believed to have been constructed in 1129, but it was subsequently occupied by two other groups in 1150 and 1200. There’s level access over to a nearby shade structure, and there’s also an excellent view of the reservoir from this hilltop perch. It’s a great way to end a Canyons of the Ancients visit!
Barrier-Free Travel Utah National Parks for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
If you’re planning a Western States road trip and are wondering about wheelchair access in Yellowstone, Glacier and Grand Teton National Parks, then be sure and pick up a copy of Candy B. Harrington’s newest access guide, Barrier-Free Travel; Glacier Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks for Wheelers and Slow Walkers. Be it a three-day getaway to a single park, or a two-week adventure to all three national parks, this handy resource includes the detailed information and authoritative resources needed to help slow walkers and wheelchair-users plan the perfect visit.
Wheelchair Access in Yellowstone, Glacier and Grand Teton
This comprehensive second edition includes:
Accessible trail and attraction information
Photos and access details of all in-park lodges
Accessible lodging options in gateway communities
Barrier-free campgrounds
Accessible bus, snowcoach and boat tours
Accessible shuttles to and around the parks
Insider access tips
Fly-drive suggestions with accessible rental vehicle resources
National park discounted pass information
This inclusive title is the most recent addition to Harrington’s national park series; and although it’s written for wheelchair-users and slow walkers, stroller moms will also appreciate the access information in this guide. It will help everyone plan a truly accessible Yellowstone, Glacier and Grand Teton National Park road trip.
Says Harrington, “I’m especially excited about the accessible lodging improvements since the first edition of this title. Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel renovated their main lodge rooms, and they now have five accessible guest rooms, including three with roll-in showers. And outside of the parks, there are some excellent accessible choices at two new properties — William Bridger Cabins in Gardiner and West Glacier Cabin Village.”
According to Harrington, park concessionaires are placing an increased emphasis on accessibility. “From Xanterra’s accessible Glacier Red Bus Tours to the accessible boat tours down in Grand Teton offered by Jenny Lake Boating, there really are a lot of options for slow walkers and wheelchair-users in the parks,” she notes.
If you’re looking for wheelchair-accessible transportation in Budapest, then look no further than Paratrans (paratrans.hu/en). This local company can provide an accessible vehicle with a driver who is familiar with the city, for airport or rail station transfers as well as city excursions. Their Renault Master is outfitted with a ramp and tie downs, and it can accommodate three wheelchair-users and five additional passengers. And if you need room for another wheelchair, it can be reconfigured to accommodate four wheelchair-users and four additional passengers. For more information about wheelchair-accessible transportation options in Budapest, call Paratrans at +36 30 900 1603 or e-mail them at info@paratrans.hu.
Wheelchair-accessible Netherlands tours are available through AmsterdaMobile (amsterdamobile.com/en/), a Dutch travel agency that was established in 2019. These tours are customized to each participant’s needs and interests, and many tours utilize wheelchair-accessible taxis. Other tours are barrier-free walking and rolling tours, which meet at agreed upon starting points. The agency can also arrange for accessible transfers, hotel reservations and the rental of mobility aids. Favorite accessible Amsterdam tours include a visit to the Van Gough Museum or an Amsterdam Canal cruise. Accessible tours to neighboring cities, including Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Delft and Leiden are also available. And they can also arrange an accessible tour to the colorful Keukenhof Gardens, in season. The AmsterdaMobile website includes a full description of all the wheelchair-accessible Netherlands tours, along with detailed access information. For more information about AmsterdaMobile call +31 6 15204812 or fill out the form on their website.
I use a manual wheelchair and I’d like to train my dog to be a service animal so I can travel with him. There are so many places that offer training, certification and registration online, and I really have no idea of where to go. Can you recommend some certified trainers or schools, and also direct me to the official place to register my dog as a service animal?
Service Animal Training Resources
Service dogs help people in wheelchairs do a number of things. They can pick up things, open and close automatic doors, carry items, turn on lights and even retrieve a wheelchair that’s out of reach. That said, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), no official training, certification or registration is required for a dog to be considered a service animal. The only requirement is that the animal must perform a task or tasks to assist a person with a disability.
You can certainly self-train your dog to perform tasks to assist you — at home and when you travel. A good way to find an experienced trainer to work with you is to contact your local Center for Independent Living (CIL) and ask them for referrals to trainers that have worked with their clients. CILs are located throughout the US and they offer excellent disability-related resources. Here’s a directory to find one near you. ilru.org/projects/cil-net/cil-center-and-association-directory
There are also a number of reputable organizations that train service dogs and then pair them with folks who need them. These organizations usually begin with puppies and the training takes almost two years. After graduation each dog is paired with a person with a disability, and the team then undergoes additional training at the organization’s facility. Financial aid is usually available, and some service dog organizations operate as non-profits and provide the animals to qualified applicants at no charge. The wait for these animals can be several years; however since you want to train your own dog, these organizations aren’t a viable option for you.
Red Flags!
Finally there are a number of websites that offer service dog certification, registration and equipment. In most cases you should steer clear of these sites, which are more commonly known as card mills. For a fee they will give you a card that says your dog is a service animal, add them to their registry and even send them a vest or a harness. Although there’s nothing technically illegal about this, it’s an unnecessary expense because in most cases you don’t need any official certification, registration or even a card for your dog to be classified as a service animal. Some of these websites also offer to certify dogs as emotional support animals, which are not recognized under the ADA or the Air Carrier Access Act (which governs accessible air travel).
It should also be noted that under the ADA, service animals are not required to wear tags, vests or harnesses that identify them as service animals. All that’s needed is the verbal assurance that the animal preforms tasks for an individual with a disability. Finally, be especially skeptical of any site that claims they are the “official service animal registry”, because according to the ADA there is no such thing.
I’m sure you’ll do a good job training your dog, and in the end you’ll have a great helper.
Let’s face it, it’s been a long winter. And there’s no better harbinger of spring than butterflies — more specially Monarch butterflies as they emerge from hibernation along the Northern California coast. After spending several months clumped together in clusters in eucalyptus trees, these migratory Monarchs become more active as they fly around, mate, and prepare for their flights inland to lay their eggs. So check out these three wheelchair-accessible Northern California sites this month, and enjoy a colorful taste of the 2024 migratory Monarchs as they emerge from hibernation. But don’t tarry, as these winter visitors will be long gone by the end of March.
This popular Monarch stopover is located off of Lighthouse Avenue, just south of the Pacific Grove Municipal Golf Course. Keep an eye out for the Butterfly Grove Inn, then turn south on Ridge Road. A white picket fence marks the path to the grove, but accessible parking is located further down Ridge Road on the left. From there; it’s a level roll up the street to the sanctuary entrance.
A .15-mile hard-packed dirt path leads through the grove and dead-ends in the adjacent neighborhood. There is an accessible porta-potty near the end of the path; and although the trail has level spots every 20 to 30 feet, some manual wheelchair-users may require assistance up the slight grade on the return trip.
The best time to hit the Monarch Grove Sanctuary is in the afternoon, because as temperatures warm up, the butterflies become more active and start to fly around through the grove. Although they might not be apparent at first, take some time to scan the tips of the pine and cypress trees, as those are their favorite landing places. Also keep an eye out for what looks to be clumps of dead leaves, as these might be clusters of the overwintering Monarchs. Docents are on duty in the season to help point out the butterflies, but for the best experience bring a pair of binoculars to get a closer look at the Monarchs.
Natural Bridges State Beach
Another favorite spot to view the migratory Monarchs is located up the coast in Santa Cruz, at Natural Bridges State Beach (www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=541). There are also fewer 2024 migratory Monarchs here, but it’s a sizable uptick from the record lows in 2018 to 2020.
Natural Bridges State Beach is pretty easy to find. From Pacific Grove follow Highway 1 north, until it turns into Mission Street in Santa Cruz. Turn left on Swift Street, which is the first traffic light after the Safeway, then follow the road until it dead ends on West Cliff Drive. From there, turn right and follow the road along the ocean to the park entrance.
The day use area is located a short drive up the park road. There’s accessible parking in the large lot with level access over to the visitor center. Inside, there’s barrier-free access around a number of interpretive exhibits about the butterflies, their habitat, and of course their migration. Accessible family restrooms are located just outside the front door of the visitor center.
The Monarch Boardwalk is located across the service road from the visitor center. This .15-mile trail winds through a eucalyptus grove, and although it does have a slight downhill grade, there are level spots every 20 to 30 feet. That said, some manual wheelchair-users may need a bit of assistance on the uphill journey.
This is one of the top spots to find the overwintering Monarchs, however it’s usually a hit or miss proposition. Weather plays a big factor in their presence and activity, and you’ll probably strike out after a big storm or on a windy day. That said it is one of their favorite haunts.
Lighthouse Field State Beach
Last but not least, don’t forget to stop at Lighthouse Field State Beach, (www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=550). From Natural Bridges State Beach, back track on West Cliff Drive, pass the lighthouse, and turn into the parking lot for Lighthouse Field on the left. Alternatively, accessible parking is also available across the street in front of the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum.
You’ll find the Monarchs in the Monterey cypress and eucalyptus trees in the grassy field near Pelton Avenue. Although there’s a sizable population during the winter months, getting there can be difficult in rainy years, as the accessible hard-packed dirt paths to the grove flood easily. It’s about a half-mile walk to the grove on the dirt paths.
Bottom line — this is an excellent spot in dry years, as you’ll not only spot the clumps of butterflies, but there are also individual butterflies flying around near the end of the season. Give it a go and see what the dirt paths look like; and if they’re not a mucky mess, then go for it. After all, it’s on the way from Natural Bridges, and it’s definitely worth a quick stop.
Barrier-Free Travel California National Park Road Trips for Wheelchair-Users and Slow Walkers
There’s something more than a bit unsettling about visiting a museum that’s located within spitting distance of a territorial prison. Be it the razor wire, the guard towers or the overly secure gates, it just doesn’t make you feel all warm and fuzzy. Add in some of the grizzly artifacts in the Museum of Colorado Prisons (prisonmuseum.org), and you’ll get a definite chill up your spine. That said this Canon City favorite is definitely worth a visit, as not only does it present a comprehensive history of the Colorado prison system, but it also manages to inject a bit of humanity into the mix.
The Museum of Colorado Prisons
Located in historic Cell House 4, the museum building once housed female inmates. And although it’s a historic building that dates back to 1935, they’ve done a pretty good job with access. There’s stairway access in front, but there’s a ramped entrance and accessible parking in back. Just ring the buzzer and someone will open the door. To view the downstairs gallery, go out the back entrance and roll around the building on the level sidewalk to the accessible lower front entrance. And while you’re in front, don’t forget to have a look at the vintage gas chamber exhibit.
Upstairs there’s level access down the cellblock corridor, where there are artifacts from the old prison system, vintage prison garb, inmate art, and lots of photos. Some of the cells also contain themed exhibits, and although they may be a bit tight for power wheelchair-users, you can still get a pretty good overview of the exhibits from the hallway. Some of the themed exhibits feature details about escape attempts, behavioral control, executions, and the prison section of the public cemetery known as Woodpecker Hill. There’s also a large collection of contraband, skillfully crafted prison weapons, and more than a few creepy prisoner creations.
Downstairs there’s barrier-free access to most of the former kitchen and dining hall, which is filled with more exhibits. The exception is the small laundry area which has a few steps up; although you can still peer into it. Perhaps the most memorable artifact is the jumpsuit worn by an inmate in the Labor Day 2018 escape, that took place while people were visiting the museum. Imagine looking at a collection of prison weapons, then glancing up to see a prisoner scaling the adjoining prison wall. Fortunately the escapees were caught a few hours later.
Haunted or Haunting?
To be honest, it’s hard to go through this museum without having a chill or two run up your spine. And if you think you may be overreacting or perhaps the victim of an overactive imagination, then think again. The Museum of Colorado Prisons has been singled out as one of the most haunted sites in the state by many paranormal organizations. And in fact ghost hunts and haunted tours are held there throughout the year.
So why is it haunted? Well first off, it’s in close proximity to an active prison that dates back to 1871, where torture, floggings and other brutal practices were commonplace. And then there were the executions, which were far from humane. Take the automatic hangman for example. This tool was designed to relieve the guards of guilt from pulling the trap door lever at hangings. Instead, the device was activated when the prisoner stepped on the platform, and a weight slowly triggered the mechanism that controlled the trap door.
And of course there’s no shortage of weapons on display in the museum, many of which were possibly used to brutally end a person’s life – be it an inmate or a guard.
Is the Museum of Colorado Prisons haunted or just haunting? Who knows; but as one museum employee shared, “I’m sure there are some spirits here. I often hear noises, footsteps and sometimes whistling when I’m here alone. And I know I’m not imagining that.“ Either way, this often overlooked attraction is definitely worth a stop. Is it really haunted? Judge for yourself on your next Canon City visit.
Barrier-Free Travel Utah National Parks for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
Because of increased visitation to many popular US National Parks, advance entrance reservations are now required during peak visitation periods. These reservations must be purchased in advance at www.recreation.gov. They will not be available for purchase at the parks; and visitors who arrive without national park entrance reservations will be turned away. It’s a good idea to print or save a digital copy of your reservation on your phone, as cell service is not available at many national park entrance stations. A photo ID is also required, and it must match the name on the reservation.
Entrance reservations are not required if you have lodging, camping or tour reservations; however you must show confirmation of those reservations at the park entrance. Entrance reservations are required even if you have a national park pass. And if you don’t have a national park pass, you will still need to pay the entrance fee even if you have an entrance reservation. Questions about the entrance reservations can be directed to the specific national park you intend to visit.
Here’s what you need to know about the 2024 national park entrance reservations.
Mount Rainier National Park
Timed entry reservations are required for visits to the Paradise Corridor and the Sunrise Corridor of Mount Rainier National Park, between May 24, 2024 and September 2, 2024, from 7 AM to 3 PM.
The Paradise Corridor runs from the Nisqually Entrance near Ashford in the southwest area of the park, to the Stevens Canyon Entrance on State Route 123 near Ohanapecosh in the southeast corner of the park. Mount Rainier timed entry reservations are required for this area of the park between May 24, 2024 and September 2, 2024. They will be available beginning on February 21, 2024 at the following times.
Booking Window Opens
Arrival Dates
February 21, 2024
May 24 to June 30, 2024
April 1, 2024
July 1 to July 31, 2024
May 1, 2024
August 1 to September 2, 2024
The Sunrise Corridor is located in the northeast corner of the park. It can be accessed by the White River Entrance, which is located on State Route 410. It connects Enumclaw in the north to Yakima in the east. Mount Rainier timed entry reservations are required for this area of the park from July 3, 2024 to September 2, 2024. Timed entry reservations for this area of the park are available beginning on April 1, 2024 at the following times listed below.
Booking Window Opens
Arrival Dates
April 1, 2024
July 3 to July 31, 2024
May 1, 2024
August 1 to September 2, 2024
Reservations cost $2, and blocks will be released 90 days in advance. A limited number of timed entry reservations will also be available at 7:00 Pacific Time the day prior to the visit.
Yosemite National Park
National park entrance reservations are required for Yosemite National Park, for visits from April 13, 2024 to October 27, 2024. The 2024 Peak Hours Plus entrance reservation program differs a bit from those in past years, but the goal is the same — to preserve the park and increase enjoyment for visitors.
Entrance reservations will be required on weekends and holidays from April 13 through June 30, and from August 17 through October 27. The holidays that fall within the reservation period include Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Labor Day and Columbus Day. Entrance reservations will also be required daily from July 1 through August 16. These reservations are required for visitors who enter the park between 5 AM and 4 PM in both cases. Reservations cost $2 each.
There are two types of entrance reservations. One is good all day, while the other is only good after noon. Both entrance reservations are valid for three days, and they do not need to be used on the first day.
The majority of Yosemite entrance reservations will be available on January 5, 2024 at 8 AM PST. The rest of the reservations will be available seven days before the arrival date at 8 AM. For example, a reservation for an arrival date of October 27 would become available at 8AM on October 20.
Entrance reservations are not required at the Hetch Hetchy Entrance, which is open from sunrise to sunset. And unlike in past years, an entrance reservation is required just to drive through the park, even if you don’t stop. Yosemite entrance reservations are also required during peak viewing times for Horsetail Falls in February. Those entrance reservations are usually released in early December.
Arches National Park
An Arches Timed Entry Reservation will be required again in 2024. “We received many positive comments from people who enjoyed the guaranteed arrival time and reduced congestion they experienced during the 2023 vehicle reservation pilot,” said Arches National Park Acting Superintendent Brendan Bray. “A repeat pilot program in 2024 will help us learn more about how such systems can provide visitors with the opportunity for enjoyable experiences while protecting the extraordinary landscapes they come to see.”
Timed entry reservations are required for visitors who enter the park from April 1 to October 31, 2024, between 7 AM and 4 PM. Beginning at 8 AM MST on January 2, 2024, reservations will be released in monthly blocks on the first of each month. Reservations cost $2 each. The reservation blocks are listed below.
April 1-30 reservations open January 2 at 8 AM MST
May 1-31 reservations open February 1 at 8 AM MST
June 1-30 reservations open on March 1 at 8 AM MST
July 1-31 reservations open on April 1 at 8 AM MST
August 1-31 reservations open on May 1 at 8 AM MST
September 1-30 reservations open on June 1 at 8 AM MST
October 1-31 reservations open on July 1 at 8 AM MST
A limited number of next-day tickets will be available after 7 PM MDT the day prior to the visit.
Reservations can be made in hourly increments and are only valid for entrance during that hour. Visitors who want to visit the park on two different days will need two different timed entry reservations. Once visitors enter the park, they can stay for the entire day. Ticket holders may also exit and re-enter the park on the same day with a correctly validated ticket.
Glacier National Park
As in previous years, advance vehicle reservations are required for the most congested areas of the park. The 2024 system requires vehicle entrance reservations for visitors traveling over the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road and past the Many Glacier Entrance Station during the peak summer season. Vehicle entrance reservations are required for visits between 6 AM and 3 PM on the following 2024 dates.
West Entrance and Camas Entrance – May 24 to September 8
Many Glacier Valley – July 1 to September 8
Vehicle entrance reservations cost $2. A portion of the vehicle entrance reservations for the West Entrance, Camas Entrance and Many Glacier Valley will be available 120 days in advance beginning January 25, 2024 at 8 AM Mountain Standard Time. The remaining vehicle entrance reservations will be released at 7 PM, the day before the planned visit.
Although visitors with lodging or tour reservations do not need vehicle entrance reservations, it’s important to note that the lodging or tour reservation must be made for the specific area of the park you plan to visit. For example if you have a Lake McDonald boat tour reservation, you will be able to access Going-to-the-Sun Road, but not Many Glacier Valley.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park are required to have a timed entry permit to enter the park beginning May 24, 2024. There are two Rocky Mountain Entry Permits.
The Bear Lake permit will allow entry to the Bear Lake Corridor, as well as the rest of the park. It will be valid from 5 AM to 6 PM. It is required until October 20, 2024.
The other permit will allow access to all areas of the park, except the Bear Lake Corridor. It will be valid from 9 AM to 2 PM. It is required until October 15, 2024. All permits will be timed, and will require the permit holder to enter the park within a 2 hour window.
Reservations for the majority of the permits will be released on 8 AM Mountain Time on the following dates.
May 1, 2024 for permits from May 24 to June 30
June 1, 2024 for permits for the month of July
July 1, 2024 for permits for the month of August
August 1, 2024 for permits for the month of September
September 1, 2024 for permits for the month of October
The remaining entry permits will be available for purchase at 7 p.m. the day before the planned visit. Entry reservations cost $2, and if you plan to visit the park more than one day you will need an entry permit for each day.
Carlsbad Caverns
Last but not least on the list of national park entrance reservations is Carlsbad Caverns. Although technically you don’t need a reservation to get in to the park, you do need one if you actually want to see the famous caverns.
Every person — even children — needs a timed ticket to enter the caves. Tickets are good for entrance within the hour specified on the ticket. So for example, if you have a 9:00 AM ticket, it’s only good for entrance from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM. Late comers will not be admitted, so give yourself plenty of time to travel to the caverns and park.
These tickets are priced at $1 each, and like the park entrance reservations they are only available at www.recreation.gov. And again, make sure you print out your tickets or save a screen shot of them, as cell service is spotty in the park.
Plan ahead to avoid disappointment, and get your national park entrance reservations as soon as you make your travel plans.
Barrier-Free Travel Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks for Wheelchair-Users and Slow Walkers
I use a power wheelchair and I will be taking a European vacation with my husband next year to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. I’m wondering if I need any special equipment or plugs for charging a power wheelchair in Europe? Can I just plug it into the outlet in my hotel room? Any tips will be greatly appreciated.
Well congratulations on your upcoming anniversary.
There is a lot of confusion about charging a power wheelchair in a foreign country. Electricity is not universal around the world, as different countries use different voltages and plug configurations. Of those two items, the most important thing is the voltage.
The US operates on 120V, while most European countries operate on 230V. If you try and charge a 120V appliance in a 230V outlet, sparks will fly — literally — and you will severely damage your charger. If on the other hand you try to charge a 230V appliance in a 120V outlet it won’t receive the full power needed, and as a result it won’t perform well. In other words, you may only get a partial charge. Additionally, long term use of a lower voltage outlet on a higher voltage charger can damage the unit.
So suffice it to say that plugging into the right voltage is essential.
So first off, check your wheelchair to see if it has a dual voltage charger. If it is marked 120V-240V you are good to go voltage-wise, but you will need some adapters. If you don’t have a dual voltage charger, check with your wheelchair manufacturer to see if they offer one. And if that’s out of the budget, you can purchase a simple voltage converter that you can carry in your suitcase and will work on all of your appliances.
You should also travel with a good selection of adapters, as the standard two or three prong US plugs won’t work in European sockets. Adapters basically change the shape of the plug, You just attach one end of the adapter to the charger cord and plug the other end into the wall. Again, this is a good guide for the type of plugs you will need in countries around the world. skyscanner.net/news/international-travel-plug-adapter-guide
You can get adapters and converters online and at most travel stores. And then you will be all set for charging a power wheelchair in Europe.
Remember, if you don’t use a converter, you will fry your battery. The adapter only changes the shape of the plug, so just because the plug fits the socket, doesn’t mean it’s safe to plug in.