Penned by accessible travel expert Candy B. Harrington, this Washington National Parks access guide includes detailed information about accessible trails, picnic areas, lodging options and attractions in Olympic, Mount Rainier and North Cascades National Parks. This handy resource features:
- Access information on trails, picnic areas and viewpoints that will work for wheelchair-users and slow walkers.
- Photos and descriptions of accessible lodging options in and near the parks, including often overlooked access details such as bed height and toilet grab bar placement.
- Information about barrier-free camping options in the parks, including the site numbers and features of the accessible campsites.
- Fly-drive resources, including the location of nearby airports, and the availability of accessible rental vans.
- Information on cell phone tours, loaner wheelchairs, free access passes and accessible ranger-led programs.
- Details on recent access upgrades and improvements to trails and attractions in Washington National Parks.
This guide will help you plan an itinerary based on your abilities, and find an accessible room that works for you. Barrier-Free Travel; Washington National Parks for Wheelers and Slow Walkers is a great resource for seniors, parents with stroller-aged children, Baby Boomers, folks who just like to take things a littler slower and anybody who uses a cane, walker, wheelchair or scooter.
Don’t leave home without it!
Preface
Second Time’s a Charm
Although the cover of this book reflects otherwise, this title could almost be considered a second edition. I say “almost” because the first incarnation only included Olympic and Mount Rainier National Parks, and was titled as such.
It’s not that I didn’t know about North Cascades National Park back then, it’s just that I listened to the nay-sayers who convinced me that the park was totally inaccessible. So I skipped over it on my first go-around. In retrospect that was an enormous error on my part. Granted the North Cascades back country presents some formidable obstacles, even to able-bodied visitors; however upon closer examination I discovered that a portion of the park also boasts several accessible trails, overlooks and scenic drives. And once I discovered this, I just had to go back and correct my previous oversight and make this book a more inclusive resource.
Hence the birth of Barrier-Free Travel; Washington National Parks for Wheelers and Slow Walkers.
But that’s not the only reason that it was time to update this access guide. There have also been some significant changes to the access in Olympic National Park, especially where the Spruce Creek Railroad Trail is concerned. When completed, this trail will effectively triple the length of accessible trail offerings in the park. Even though the upgrade project still has a way to go, this trail is even more accessible than it was when the “first” edition of this book was published.
That said, I have to admit that one of the original reasons for writing the previous edition of this book still stands – to give folks accurate access information about the parks, so they can decide what will and what won’t work for them.
I realized a long time ago, that just telling people that something is or isn’t accessible is pretty pointless. After all, we all have different abilities, so what’s accessible for one person may be insurmountable to another. That’s why I’ve always described the access in all of my books and articles. And that’s exactly what I did with everything in this book, including many trails that have simply been described as “accessible with assistance” in other resources.
In the end, this book is about access adequately described for these three spectacular Washington national parks. And that’s something that’s sorely needed in the resource department. So go ahead and explore these gems, and let me know how they work for you.
Candy Harrington
candy@EmergingHorizons.com
www.EmergingHorizons.com
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Contents
- Admission, Reservations and Park Passes
- Admission Fees
- Park Passes
- Authorized Park Concessionaires
- Olympic National Park
- The Basics
- Port Angeles
- Lake Crescent
- Sol Duc
- Elwha
- Hurricane Ridge
- Hoh Rain Forest
- Kalaloch
- Quinault Rain Forest Area
- Olympic National Park Resources
- Mount Rainier National Park
- The Basics
- Longmire
- Paradise
- Ohanapecosh
- Longmire to Sunrise Drive
- Mount Rainier National Park Resources
- North Cascades National Park
- The Basics
- Ross Lake National Recreation Area
- Nearby
- North Cascades National Park Resources
Author Q&As
Why Washington National Parks? What’s so special about them?
Well they certainly each offer their own rugged beauty, and they are close enough together to do in one trip; but the driving force behind this book was the glut of misinformation out there regarding access in these parks. Misinformation is worse than no information at all, so I decided it was time to let folks know what exactly was out there access wise. I discovered a lot of trails that were rated as “accessible with assistance” really had varying degrees of access, so I did what I always do – I described the access so folks can decide if they will or won’t work for them. After all, “accessible with assistance” is a very ambiguous term.
Isn’t this really the second edition of this title?
Not exactly. My previous title only included Olympic and Mount Rainier National Parks, and was titled as such. This book also includes North Cascades; hence the new “Washington National Parks” title.
So why didn’t you include North Cascades National Park in your previous title?
Unfortunately I listened to too many nay-sayers who told me that there was nothing for my readers up there. And when I subsequently discovered that just wasn’t true, I had to correct the omission. I thought the easiest way to do that was to craft a inclusive book of all of Washington’s national parks.
North Cascades National Park is largely backcountry. Are there really accessible things to do there? What about lodging?
Yes, there is a large backcountry area of the park, but I also found a lot of accessible trails along State Highway 20, especially near Newhalem. It’s amazing what’s out there, as it’s not really publicized. Unfortunately there are no hotels in the national park, but I did highlight a nice accessible inn nearby.
Mount Rainer seems pretty rugged too. Is it really a good choice for wheelchair-users?
Mount Rainier is over 14,000 feet high and some 10,000 climbers attempt to summit it every year; but the great thing is, you can also enjoy its beauty from afar. There’s a great view of the mountain from the end of the accessible Kautz Creek Trail, and you can also get a good view of it from the Visitor Center at Sunrise — they even have an accessible scope trained on the mountain. So yes, even though it is pretty rugged, there are still lots of offerings for wheelchair-users and slow walkers.
I’ve heard that access is improving in the near future in Olympic National Park. Is that true?
Absolutely. When the upgrades to the Spruce Railroad Trail are completed in 2019, it will effectively triple the length of accessible trail offerings in Olympic National Park.
Did you encounter any problems while researching these Washington National Parks?
Unfortunately yes. Because of the misinformation out there I had a lot of false leads, which made my site visits all that more time consuming. I put a lot of time in on my research and I trekked down every possible trail to see if it might be suitable for my readers. It was a lot of work, but on the plus side, the weather was good and I discovered some absolutely beautiful places.
How would you rate the access in these Washington National Parks compared to the Grand Canyon?
Well that’s like comparing apples to oranges. The Grand Canyon is one of America’s most visited national parks, while Olympic and Mount Rainier are more remote. There are more accessible facilities in the Grand Canyon, but on the other hand there are more people competing for them. In Washington I strolled through peaceful rainforests, and lingered at scenic overlooks that were virtually deserted; and that’s something I just can’t do in the Grand Canyon. On the other hand, there’s no Skywalk in Washington. If you just look at the accessible trails, facilities and lodges, the Grand Canyon certainly has more; however if you look at the remoteness and peaceful quality of the those features, then the Washington parks definitely win.
Did you actually look at all the hotels you covered, or did you just interview the managers?
I inspected each and every property that I covered. I never rely on second-hand information in any of my work. Although it takes a bit more effort, I feel it’s worth it.
Are there hotels with roll in showers in the parks?
Absolutely – both Olympic and Mount Rainier have accessible rooms with roll-in showers. North Cascades has no lodging in the park, but I did cover a nearby inn with a roll-in shower.
Why did you also include lodges that were outside of the parks?
Because these parks are so remote, I wanted to give my readers more choices. After all, most of the lodging offerings in the parks only have a few accessible rooms. But it’s not like I covered lodging options in Seattle — truly the properties that I selected are close to the parks, and very convenient for day visits.
What is your favorite thing to see or do in these parks?
I really love the diversity in all of the parks, but if I have to pick one favorite place it’s got to be Lake Crescent. The accessible room at the lodge is near the lakeshore and it’s pleasant to sit on the back porch and enjoy the view. There is also a nice accessible trail nearby, that winds through the forest and out along the shore. Plus there is a cool glassed-in porch in the main lodge that’s the perfect place to enjoy the sunset with a glass of wine.
What’s the next title in your Barrier-Free Travel series?
Next up is Barrier-Free Travel; Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. It will be released in late spring 2018. Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
Wheelchair-Accessible Olympic, Mount Rainier & North Cascades National Park Itineraries
Time is the only limitation you have when you visit Washington’s National Parks, so here are a few suggestions on how to make good use that valuable resource. From 24 hours to 10 days, check out these wheelchair-accessible Olympic, Mount Rainier & North Cascades National Park Itineraries
One Day
Some choices have to be made if you only have one day, as it’s impossible to visit all three parks in that short of a time frame. So, pick a park and enjoy these highlights.
Olympic National Park
Start the day at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center in Port Angeles, and don’t miss the .4-mile Living Forest Trail out back. Next, head over to the east trailhead of the Spruce Railroad Trail, off of East Beach on the north shore of Lake Crescent. After a nice walk through the forest, stop at Sunnyside Café at the Log Cabin Resort for a bite to eat. After lunch, explore the west section of Spruce Railroad Trail, along Camp David Jr. Road, just west of the Fairholme General Store. When it’s time for a break, check-in to Lake Crescent Lodge, which has two wheelchair-accessible rooms, and a number of other choices for slow walkers. After you’ve settled in, take a short stroll along the Moments in Time Trail, located near the lodge. Finally, sit back and relax on the lodge’s glassed-in porch, and watch the sun slip slowly behind the mountains.
Mount Rainier National Park
For a good primer on the history of the park, stop in at the Longmire Museum, located across the parking lot from the National Park Inn. And for a blast from the past, don’t miss the vintage 1937 tour bus outside, which once transported visitors throughout the park. Next, head across the street and take a hike along the east side of the Trail of Shadows, which offers interpretive plaques about the eruption of Mount Rainier, and has benches to sit and rest along the way. When it’s time for lunch head over to Kautz Creek Picnic Area, a mile west of Longmire. Afterwards, save time to explore the Kautz Creek Trail, across the street. And when the day is done, check-in to the accessible room at the National Park Inn, and enjoy a spectacular view of Mount Rainier from the back porch.
North Cascades National Park
The North Cascades National Park Visitor Center makes a good first-stop on any North Cascades visit. Not only does it offer interpretive exhibits on the park, but the wheelchair-accessible .05-mile Sterling Munro Boardwalk is located to the left of the back patio. For a more in-depth hike in the forest, head over to Loop B in the Newhalem Creek Campground and pick up the 1.4-mile River Loop Trail. After that, follow the signs to the To Know a Tree Trail, a half-mile hard-packed dirt trail covered in stabilized granite. The Newhalem Creek Picnic Area, which is located across from Loop C of the campground, makes a perfect lunch stop. Afterwards, follow the Linking Trail to the Rock Shelter Trail, and then on to the Newhalem Powerhouse. From there you can pick up the Trail of Cedars, a .3-mile stroll through the evolving forest. Finally, settle down for the night in the accessible room at the North Cascades Inn (formerly the Buffalo Run Inn) in Marblemount.
Three Days
You still need to make some choices if you only have three days, but you’ll be able to enjoy an in-depth visit to your favorite park.
Olympic National Park
Follow the one-day Olympic itinerary, then head down to Sol Duc for a soak in the accessible hot springs pools. Spend the night in an accessible cabin at Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort. On day three head over to the Hoh Rain Forest and enjoy the Mini Rainforest Trail and the Hall of Mosses Trail, then have lunch at the nearby picnic area. Return to Sol Duc for an overnight stay.
Mount Rainier National Park
Follow the one-day Mount Rainier itinerary, then head over to Paradise on day two. Check out the Jackson Visitor Center, then take the Skyline Trail to Lower Myrtle Falls. Catch a ranger program in the lobby of the Paradise Inn, then enjoy dinner and overnight in an accessible room at the same property. On day three, take the scenic drive to Sunrise, then return to the Paradise Inn for the evening.
North Cascades
On day one follow the one-day North Cascades itinerary. On day two, pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the sites along State Route 20, then return to Newhalem for an overnight stay. On day three, explore the Okanogan National Forest, with stops at the Rainy Lake Recreation Trail and Washington Pass Overlook. Plan for a late lunch in nearby Winthrop, then return to Newhalem for an overnight stay.
One Week
If you have a whole week, do the three-day Olympic itinerary, followed by the three-day Mount Rainier itinerary, and then tack on the one-day North Cascades itinerary at the end.
Ten Days
Start with a one-day visit to the Lake Quinault area, to explore the Maple Glade and Kestner Homestead trails. Pack along a picnic lunch to enjoy at the Kestner Homestead picnic pavilion. Spend the night at Lake Quinault Lodge, which offers several wheelchair-accessible rooms.
On day two, head west to Kalaloch and visit Beach Four and Ruby Beach, and then check-in to an accessible cabin at Kalaloch Lodge.
On day three, begin the three-day Olympic itinerary, followed by the three-day Mount Rainier itinerary, and the one-day North Cascades itinerary.
Finish things off on day 10 with a scenic drive along state route 20 in North Cascades National Park, with stops at Gorge Creek Falls, the Happy Creek Forest Walk and Ross Lake Overlook along the way. Pick up a sandwich at the Skagit General Store in the morning, and have a picnic lunch at Diablo Lake Overlook in the afternoon. If time permits, head into the national forest for a sunset view from Washington Pass Overlook. Spend the night in Marblemount.
Updates
Kalaloch Lodge
Cabin 43 at Kalaloch Lodge, which was “partially accessible” was removed from the property because of coastal erosion. The gazebo that sat next to it was also removed.
Buffalo Run Inn Changes
The Buffalo Run Inn in Marblemount is now the North Cascades Inn. They only accept reservations on their website at www.northcascadesinn.com. The amenities in the accessible room are unchanged.
Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center
Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center in Olympic National Park was destroyed by a structure fire on May 8, 2023.
Spruce Railroad Trail Access Upgrades Completed
In 2020 access renovations were completed on the Spruce Railroad Trail in Olympic National Park. The entire four mile length of that trail is now wheelchair-accessible.
Timed Entry Reservations Required for Mount Rainier
Timed entry reservations are required for visits to the Paradise Corridor and the Sunrise Corridor of Mount Rainier National Park, from late May to early September. Reservations will be released in blocks 90 days in advance, and will be available at www.recreation.gov. For more information, visit the park website at www.nps.gov/mora.
Suggest an Update
Let me know of any changes you find, so I can update my readers.
