Penned by accessible travel expert Candy B. Harrington, this access guide includes detailed access information about one of America’s favorite national parks. And since a Grand Canyon visit usually entails a road trip, this guidebook also features accessible attractions, lodging options and don’t-miss stops along nearby Interstate 40 and historic Route 66. This handy resource contains everything you’ll need to plan a wheelchair-accessible Grand Canyon visit:
- Access details on trails, attractions, and scenic drives on the North and South Rims
- Detailed access reviews and photos of all in-park lodging options
- Accessible attractions and accommodations in Kingman, Flagstaff, Williams, Winslow, Tusayan and Valle
- Fly-drive resources, including the location of nearby airports, and the availability of accessible shuttles, public transportation and van rentals
- Route 66 driving routes and attractions
- Wheelchair-accessible Grand Canyon airplane, helicopter, bus and train tours
- Access details on lodging and attractions at Grand Canyon West
- Access information for the Grand Canyon Skywalk
- Barrier-free camping choices, and accessible picnic areas
- The inside scoop on the only driving route to the bottom of the canyon
- Information on special access passes and permits
This guidebook offers hard-to-find access information that will help wheelchair-users and slow walkers plan the ultimate road trip to Grand Canyon National Park. A must-read if the Grand Canyon is on your bucket list, Barrier-Free Travel; The Grand Canyon 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.
Preface
The Grand Canyon and Beyond
We were most definitely lost.
There I was in the middle of the desert staring at a locked gate and re-reading my printed directions. Charles was tapping the steering wheel impatiently, awaiting further navigational instructions and looking anxiously in my direction. “Let me call,” I stammered; but when I peered at my phone I saw the dreaded “no service” screen.
Then out of the corner of my eye I spotted a lady standing on her porch in the distance. She was waving at us. I just figured it was a friendly community, so I waved back. Then she motioned for us to come up the hill toward her house, so off we went. Charles rolled down his window and the neighbor lady smiled and queried, “Are you looking for the Airbnb? We nodded in unison like a pair of baby chicks.
Then she jumped in with her animated directions, complete with hand signals. We both kind of just stared blankly at her, with a mutual look of bewilderment on our faces. Our welcome wagon savior stopped mid-sentence, stared quizzically at us and very slowly asked, “Do you speak English, honey?” I looked down at my directions and sputtered, “Um yes, but, but, but our directions say to go another way, and…”. She cut me off mid-sputter. “Well that’s all well and good, but that’s not how things work in this town,” she emphatically replied. And she proceeded with her animated directions.
In the end we found our cottage and had a good laugh that night. And that’s what a road trip is all about — an adventure to remember. It wasn’t the first time we took a wrong turn — on that or any road trip — and it most certainly won’t be the last either.
So when I sat down to outline the second edition of this book, I thought back on some of our more memorable road trip discoveries from wrong turns, and I realized that I needed to expand the scope of this title. After all, the main way people get to the Grand Canyon is by vehicle; and with remnants of Route 66 and a bevy of kitschy attractions along Interstate 40 from Kingman to Winslow, it just makes sense to also include them in the second edition. And of course, if you’re going to make a real road trip out of it, you also need information about accessible dining and lodging options along the way, so those listings made the cut as well.
But that isn’t the only reason for a second edition of this popular access guide.
It’s been five years since the publication of the first edition of this book, and in that time I’ve seen more than a few changes in what’s often been described as “America’s favorite national park.”
For starters, there’s the expansion of the accessible multiuse Greenway Trail on the South Rim. Although this project took years to complete, it was definitely worth the wait.
Additionally, on my previous visit a good portion of the Rim Trail from the South Kaibab Trailhead to Hermit Road was accessible; however there were still some steps, bumps and steep sections along the way. I’m happy to report that those access obstacles have been removed, and there’s now a contiguous five-mile accessible trail along the South Rim. Again, this was a multi-year project, but I’m excited to share this improvement with my readers.
Accessible shuttle service continues to be the norm in the park — and it’s even been expanded to Tusayan. So now you can stay in an accessible hotel in Tusayan — I’ve covered those in this edition too — and leave the driving to someone else.
Additionally, I’m thrilled to report that more South Rim improvements are also on the drawing board. As aging properties are renovated, access obstacles — like steps — are removed. Historic Bright Angel Lodge now has an accessible front entrance, complete with automatic doors. And Maswik South will be razed and replaced with a new — and undoubtedly more accessible — incarnation.
Access has also improved on the North Rim, where some of the “semi-accessible” cabins that I looked at five years ago have been converted to fully accessible units. Now that’s a step in the right direction for sure.
Grand Canyon West has also seen a few improvements since my last visit, including the completion of the Diamond Bar Road paving project. They’ve also added a new restaurant, and their entire fleet of shuttle buses is now lift-equipped.
So between these changes and the new section of the book, an update was definitely in order. And there’s just no better time to release this expanded edition than on the 100th birthday of Grand Canyon National Park — February 26, 2019.
So get ready to explore all that the Grand Canyon has to offer. Plan a road trip and drive along a few remaining stretches of the Mother Road, ride a historic train, explore red rock country or just go and stand on the corner in Winslow, Arizona. Getting there is truly half the fun, and this book will help you do that in a very accessible way.
And if you spot some changes along your journey, be sure and let me know so I can update things online.
Enjoy this beautiful national park — and let me know how your trip went!
Candy Harrington
candy@EmergingHorizons.com
www.EmergingHorizons.com
Facebook: Candy Harrington
Twitter: Candy B. Harrington
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Contents
- Preface
- The Grand Canyon and Beyond
- Admission, Reservations and Park Passes
- Admission Fees
- Park Passes
- Information
- Authorized Park Concessionaires
- Grand Canyon National Park Concessionaires
- Grand Canyon National Park
- The Basics
- South Rim
- Attractions
- Trails
- Scenic Drives
- Lodging
- Dining
- Services
- Desert View Drive
- Attractions
- Picnic Areas
- Lodging
- Dining
- Services
- North Rim
- Attractions
- Scenic Drives
- Picnic Areas
- Lodging
- Dining
- Services
- Nearby
- Grand Canyon National Park Resources
- Grand Canyon West
- The Basics
- Attractions
- Lodging
- Dining
- Grand Canyon West Resources
- Lodging and Attractions Along Highway 64
- Tusayan
- Attractions
- Lodging
- Valle
- Attractions
- Lodging
- Highway 64 Resources
- Tusayan
- Route 66 and Interstate Corridor
- Kingman
- Attractions
- Lodging
- Dining
- Nearby
- Williams
- Attractions
- Lodging
- Dining
- Nearby
- Flagstaff
- Attractions
- Lodging
- Dining
- Nearby
- Winslow
- Attractions
- Trails
- Lodging
- Dining
- Nearby
- Route 66 and Interstate Resources
- Kingman
- Access Resources
Wheelchair-Accessible Grand Canyon Itineraries
Whether you have a day, a week, or ten days, there’s no shortage of accessible things to see and do in one of America’s most popular national parks. But advance planning is a must, so check out these wheelchair-accessible Grand Canyon Itineraries before you hit the road.
One Day
Start your day on the South Rim with a stop at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center at Mather Point. Pick up a park map, then take a scenic stroll along the rim to the Yavapai Geology Museum, which houses exhibits about the area’s geology, and offers a stunning canyon view. Continue along the rim to Verkamp’s Visitor Center along the accessible Trail of Time. After lunch at Bright Angel Lodge, pop into the Bright Angel History Room for a primer on the Fred Harvey Company, El Tovar Hotel and Bright Angel Lodge. Spend the afternoon exploring Hermit Road on the accessible shuttle bus, then spend the night at Thunderbird Lodge, in an accessible room with a dramatic canyon view.
Three Days
Follow the one-day itinerary, then pick up a picnic lunch and spend the second day exploring Kaibab Rim and Desert View Drive. Spend the night at Thunderbird Lodge. On day three enjoy a ranger program or a Xanterra bus tour in the morning, have lunch at Yavapai Lodge, then stroll along the accessible Greenway Trail in the afternoon. Spend the night at Thunderbird Lodge.
One Week
Spend the first night in Williams in the very accessible Grand Canyon Railway Hotel. On day two, take the scenic drive from Williams to the South Rim, and follow the three-day itinerary. On the fifth day take the equally scenic drive to the North Rim and stay in an accessible cabin at Grand Canyon Lodge. Begin the sixth day with a stop at the visitor center, then learn about North Rim History at a ranger program at Grand Canyon Lodge. Chow down at the soup and sandwich bar in the main lodge dining room, then take a leisurely walk along the bridle path in the afternoon. Top off the day by watching the sunset from the expansive deck at the main lodge, then spend another night on the North Rim. On the final day get an early start, grab a picnic lunch and take the day-long drive to Point imperial and Cape Royal. Spend one last night at Grand Canyon Lodge.
Ten Days
Start your wheelchair-accessible Grand Canyon adventure at Grand Canyon West, which is about two hours east of Las Vegas. Enjoy the spectacular Skywalk, then spend the night in an accessible cabin at Hualapai Ranch. On day two, head over to Hualapai Lodge in Peach Springs and explore Route 66 along the way. On day three continue along Route 66 to Seligman, then hop on Interstate 40 and head to Williams. Spend the night at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel. Next, follow the three-day Grand Canyon itinerary. On the seventh day take a Papillon Helicopter flight over the canyon, then spend the night in an accessible room at the nearby Grand Canyon Inn & Motel. Explore the Hopi Arts Trail on day eight, then spend the night at the Moenkopi Legacy Inn & Suites in Tuba City. Finally, follow the day six and day seven segments of the week-long itinerary, and conclude your visit on the Grand Canyon’s scenic North Rim.
Author Q&As
Why the Grand Canyon?
First and foremost, I absolutely love the Grand Canyon — and have, ever since I first visited it when I was 12. I’m not alone either, as it’s one of America’s most visited national parks. But more important, at first glance it appears pretty rugged and inaccessible; which isn’t true at all. Today you can plan a wheelchair-accessible Grand Canyon visit, because over the years the National Park Service and park concessionaires have made access improvements to the trails, infrastructure and lodging. The Grand Canyon really is a great choice for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. I just wanted to let folks know that everyone can enjoy the Grand Canyon today.
So what’s new in the second edition?
Well, all of the access information has been updated because there have been some access improvements since the first edition was released. For example, numerous access obstacles have been removed along the South Rim, so now there’s a contiguous five-mile accessible trail there. And since a Grand Canyon visit usually entails a road trip, I’ve also included accessible sights and lodging options along Interstate 40 and Rote 66 in this edition.
You mentioned Route 66. Are there any places where you can drive along the original road?
Yes, there are two intact sections near Kingman, and I detailed those routes — complete with accessible stops along the way — in the book.
Does the Grand Canyon even have access for people who can’t walk at all, like people who use a power wheelchair?
Absolutely! There are many wheelchair-accessible Grand Canyon trails suitable for power wheelchairs, as well as accessible lodging options with roll-in showers. You can even take an accessible bus tour of the South Rim or enjoy an accessible airplane flight out over the canyon. Like I said, it really is accessible to everyone.
How long should I plan to stay at the Grand Canyon?
For a South Rim visit, I’d recommend three days minimum. If you’d also like to explore the North Rim, then add another two days to that. And if you want to add in Grand Canyon West, add in another day. You can really make a nice 10 day road trip out of it too, and stop at some of the cool attractions along Interstate 40.
Which do you prefer, the South Rim or the North Rim?
They both offer spectacular scenery, but I prefer the North Rim because it’s less crowded. That said, there is a reason for the crowds at the South Rim — it’s a bucket list item for sure.
Did you actually look at all the hotels you covered, or did you just interview the managers?
I looked at all the hotels. I’ve found that you just have to do that rather than rely on second-hand information. Plus I always try to measure the beds and tell people where the toilet grab bars are located, as these things are very important to some people.
How long did it take you to do the research for the book?
I’m a frequent Grand Canyon visitor, but this edition of the book required an additional five weeks of in-person research and site visits. That doesn’t count the pre-trip research, interviews and fact checking. It was an ambitious project, but I’m quite pleased with the results.
I know there is a shuttle bus on the South Rim, but I’d just prefer to drive my own car. Is this possible?
Yes it is. Traffic is prohibited on Hermit Road during peak season and on Yaki Point Road all year, but if you are disabled you can get a special permit to drive on those roads.
What’s the best time of year to visit the Grand Canyon?
It depends what part of the park you want to visit. The North Rim is only open from May 15 to October 15, so a winter visit is out of the question. I prefer to skip the peak summer season, so I like to visit the park after Labor Day, but before the North Rim road closes for the year.
Grand Canyon West and Peach Springs are not part of Grand Canyon National Park, so why did you include them in the book?
Although Grand Canyon West and Peach Springs sit on tribal land, they both offer magnificent views of the Grand Canyon. The Skywalk at Grand Canyon West offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to look down on the canyon through a glass floor; while Peach Springs is the gateway to the only driving route to the bottom of the canyon. I just felt they both needed to be included in the book.
I see you covered the Grand Canyon Railway. I don’t have much time, but I do want to see the Grand Canyon, so can I do that trip in a day?
Certainly. The train leaves the Williams Depot at 9:30 a.m. and arrives at the South Rim just before noon. The return train departs for Williams at 3:30 p.m., so you have several hours to enjoy the South Rim.
There are a lot of restaurants on the South Rim. What is your favorite, and why?
My favorite is the Arizona Room, because it offers a sweeping canyon view. Their green chile tamales are one of my favorite Grand Canyon meals.
What is your favorite thing to see or do in the Grand Canyon?
I love to sit on the sun porch at the North Rim Lodge and just enjoy the canyon view. It’s a great place to watch the sunset.
What’s next for you? Do you have any more books in the works?
I’m always rechecking access information for all of my national park books, but currently I’m working on Barrier-Free Travel; National Park Lodges for Wheelers and Slow Walkers, which will include accessible national park properties on the US mainland. It’s set to be released in November 2019.
Updates
Arizona Shuttle
Arizona Shuttle is now Groome Transportation (groometransportation.com/flagstaff/). The company still provides the same services as detailed in the book, but the website url has changed. The phone number is unchanged.
Planes of Fame Museum Closed
The Planes of Fame Museum in Valle, AZ closed as of Feb. 2023. Many of the artifacts have been transferred to their Chino facility. The Valle facility will now be used exclusively for aircraft restoration.
Suggest an Update
