Spend the Night at This Wheelchair-Accessible Lake Yellowstone Hotel
Located on the scenic lakeshore, the Lake Yellowstone Hotel (www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com) is the oldest property in Yellowstone National Park. That said, old doesn’t necessarily equate with shabby, as this 1891 gem has undergone massive renovations over the years. The result is not only a comfortable, modern and luxurious place to rest your head, but also a property that boasts excellent wheelchair access. Top off your stay with a meal in the luxurious Lake Hotel Dining Room and you have all the ingredients for the perfect wheelchair-accessible Lake Yellowstone stay.
A Variety of Wheelchair-Accessible Rooms
The good news is that variety is the key word at the Lake Yellowstone Hotel. Not only does this property offer good wheelchair access in the public areas, but it also has a variety of accessible rooms – 18 to be exact, including seven which have roll-in showers.
Room 226 has two queen-sized beds and is equipped with a bathroom with a tub/shower combination, grab bars, a hand-held showerhead and a portable shower chair. If you’d prefer a shower instead of a tub, then room 126 is just your cup of tea. It offers the same bed configuration as room 226, except the bathroom includes a roll-in shower.
Room 202, on the other hand, is a spacious corner accessible room. It’s furnished with a king-sized bed with wheelchair access on both sides, two chairs, an armoire and two bedside tables. The bathroom, which features a full five-foot turning radius, is equipped with a tub/shower combination with grab bars, a hand-held showerhead and a portable shower bench. Other bathroom access features include toilet grab bars on the back and left walls (as seated), and a roll-under sink.
And if you’d like even more room, then check out room 446 – an accessible suite. The living area is furnished with a sleeper sofa, and it also includes a wet bar with a refrigerator. The separate bedroom includes a king-sized bed, and the spacious bathroom boasts a roll-in shower.
Finally if you’d like something a bit different, then try cabin 635. It’s furnished with a double bed, and the bathroom is equipped with a roll-in shower with grab bars, a hand-held showerhead and a fold-down shower bench. The toilet grab bars are located on the back and right walls (as seated), but if you’d prefer them on the other side, cabin 636 has that configuration.
Public Spaces and Beautiful Views
There’s also good wheelchair access to the public spaces at this lakeside property, which offers a wide variety of beautiful views. Let’s start with the spacious lobby, which features nice views of the lake. And then there’s a large porch where you can get an equally enticing view. And if you’d like to get a closer look, there’s ramp access to a paved pathway down to the lakeshore.
There’s also level access to the Lake Hotel Dining Room, with plenty of room to maneuver a wheelchair between the tables. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, this popular eatery offers a relaxed dining experience, and features a beautiful lake view. Plan ahead though, as reservations are required for dinner. And if you’d prefer some lighter fare, then check out the Lake Hotel Deli. The menu includes a variety of soups, salads, pastry items and hot and cold drinks. It’s also a good place to pick up a picnic lunch to enjoy in the park.
In the end, the wheelchair-accessible Lake Yellowstone Hotel makes a great home base for any visit. You can enjoy scenic Lake Yellowstone at your leisure; and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River is just a short drive away. You can explore the rugged scenery in the canyon area by day, and return to a placid lake view each evening. Truly it’s the best of both worlds.
Barrier-Free Travel
Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
for Wheelers and Slow Walkers