My husband and I are planning a trip to Yellowstone National Park. We live in New Hampshire, so we plan to fly out west and rent an accessible van to explore the area. Can you tell me where I can find an accessible rental van in Yellowstone National Park? Also any suggestions for accessible hotels in the park would be greatly appreciated. I use a manual wheelchair and I absolutely love the outdoors.
Rent an Adapted Van
Well if you love the outdoors, then Yellowstone National Park is certainly the place for you. The scenery is beautiful and the park boasts a lot of accessible trails, picnic areas, sights and lodging options.
Unfortunately you won’t find an accessible rental van in Yellowstone National Park. Instead, you can rent one in one of the gateway cities. I suggest flying into Salt Lake City, Utah. It’s about a five-hour drive from the airport to the the West Entrance of Yellowstone National Park, where you can begin your visit. And you can rent an accessible van from United Access (www.unitedaccess.com) in Wood Cross, which is about 15 minutes from the Salt Lake City Airport.
Finally, let’s talk about accessible lodging in Yellowstone National Park. All of the major park hotels offer accessible rooms; however Canyon Lodge (www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/lodgings/cabin/canyon-lodge-cabins/) is one of my favorites. It’s the largest property in the park, with over 500 rooms, and it’s located near the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. And even though it’s a large property, there is a wheelchair-accessible shuttle that runs between all the lodge buildings to the dining facilities, retail outlets and the visitor center in nearby Canyon Village. So, you can just park the car when you arrive.
Canyon Lodge offers a variety of accessible rooms. Room 1136 is furnished with two 26-inch high queen-sized beds with an access aisle between them, and has a bathroom that’s equipped with a tub/shower combination with grab bars and a hand-held showerhead. Add in a toilet with grab bars and a roll-under sink, and you have a very nice accessible room. If, on the other hand, you’d prefer an accessible room with a roll-in shower, room 4305 will work nicely for you.
Canyon Lodge also has an accessible cabin (cabin 32) which is furnished with with a 24-inch high twin bed (with a trundle), and a 26-inch high open-framed queen-sized bed. The bathroom is equipped with a roll-in shower with grab bars, a hand-held showerhead and a fold-down shower bench. The toilet is outfitted with grab bars, and there’s a roll-under sink in the guest bedroom. It’s a nice premium accessible lodging choice.
Truly, Canyon Lodge has a room to suit just about every taste and budget. There’s also barrier-free access to all the public areas at this property. It’s a great place to base yourself for a wheelchair-accessible Yellowstone adventure.
Barrier-Free Travel Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
Located in the Idaho panhandle, Farragut State Park (parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/farragut/) was once the site of the second largest WWII naval training facility in the country. At its peak the base housed over 100,000 people and included the largest hospital in the Pacific Northwest. Today the foundations of some former buildings, as well as the relatively intact brig are all that remain of this once bustling base.
And as with many historic buildings with a colorful history, rumblings of paranormal activity in and near the former brig pepper the media. Haunted or not, it’s still a great destination for anybody interested in WWII history; and as an added bonus, it also boasts a comfy wheelchair-accessible camping cabin perched on the shore of Lake Pend Oreille.
A Little History
Although far northern Idaho seems an odd location for a naval base, there’s a sound reason behind the choice. Safety. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the powers that be wanted a base site that was impervious to air or sea attacks. And since this chunk of real estate between Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint is surrounded by mountains and far from the ocean, it proved an excellent choice.
Named after the famous admiral, Farragut Naval Training Facility occupied over 4,000 acres at its peak. Recruits would arrive in cattle cars and complete 13 weeks of basic training with classes in seamanship and warfare. Field training for gunners consisted of recruits firing wooden “practice shells” at navy aircraft as they swooped down over Lake Pend Oreille. And after they graduated they were sent into battle.
Recruits that broke the rules ended up in the brig. Most inmates were housed in four- or six-man cells, and were were assigned to hard labor, which included smashing boulders into gravel with sledgehammers, or sawing firewood by hand. Those that were convicted of more serious offenses were held in solitary confinement, until they were transported to the federal prison in Treasure Island, CA.
The base was also home to German POWs in 1945. They were treated as soldiers, not prisoners and assigned landscaping, firefighting and cooking tasks. The POWs were not housed in the brig, but lived in separate quarters near the modern day entrance of Farragut State Park. They did however, cook for prisoners in the brig; and it was reported that the quality of the meals greatly improved after their arrival.
Visit the Brig
The Brig at Farragut State Park, Idaho
The Museum at the Brig offers a good overview about life at Farragut Naval Training Facility. Accessible parking is located near the entrance, with level access to the courtyard, and barrier-free access to the brick cellblock. The exhibits begin with a short 20-minute orientation film which details the history of the facility. A few cells are set up as they would have been in WWII times, while others contain exhibits about the construction of the facility, the training the took place there, and the social lives of the workers and recruits. There are also exhibits about the POWs and the WAVES, as well as a good overview of WWII. Throw in a large collection of weapons, uniforms and personal items of the recruits, and you have a comprehensive look at life at Farragut Naval Training Facility.
Inside the Museum at the Brig in Farragut state Park, Idaho
Don’t miss the vintage vehicles on display in the courtyard, and the historic exhibits in the opposite wing. And if you have kids in tow, be sure and stop in at the junior ranger activities center on the far side of the courtyard.
Save some time for a short visit to Memorial Park, located across the street from the brig. There’s barrier-free access to the small park which features a unique statue of a sailor. The bust stares soberly into space, while smaller faces of a multitude of sailors cover his face. It’s said to represent the different recruits that help make a soldier during his training.
Spend the Night
The Syringa Cabin at Farragut State Park, Idaho
In contrast to the stark brig, the Syringa camping cabin offers a pleasant spot to spend the night at Farragut State Park. It’s located near the end of the South Road, nestled in a forest that overlooks Lake Pend Oreille. There’s no accessible parking for the cabin, but there’s level parking in the asphalt lot next to the accessible vault toilet. From there it’s a 200-foot walk on a level sidewalk to the cabin. Alternatively you can parallel park in a level area about 150 feet from the cabin.
There’s ramp access to this basic camping camping, which includes a spacious deck with a swing and a table. The cabin features a wide front door, and offers plenty of room to maneuver a wheelchair inside. It’s furnished with a simple 17-inch high double bunk bed (bring your own bedding) and a table with two benches. It also includes lights, an air conditioner and an electric outlet.
No cooking is allowed inside the cabin, but there’s a large accessible table and a raised fire ring next to the deck. All in all, it’s a comfortable and affordable place to spend the night. Even better — since there are only four cabins in this area of the park, and the gate closes at dusk, you’ll almost have things to yourself at night.
Inside the Syringa Cabin at Farragut State Park, Idaho
Haunted or Not?
Is Farragut State Park really haunted? Most reports of paranormal activity center around the brig. These include sightings of orbs, objects moving, and the ghostly clanging of cell doors. Several folks have also reported the apparition of a bald man in a prison uniform in the brig, and a man wearing a navy uniform wandering along the shore.
Although the brig is cold and dank, I didn’t see any apparitions during my visit, but I was haunted by the history of the building. It was chilling at times, but it was on a more historical level rather than a ghostly level. That’s not to say there’s no paranormal activity there; just that I didn’t experience anything otherworldly on my visit.
Some strange occurrences have also been reported in Memorial Park. Several people have reported that the statue turned its head and looked at them. To be honest, the statue is a little unsettling, as the somber stare of the sailor seems to follow you as you move throughout the park. But no, I didn’t see the statue actually move. That said as Charles got into the car he excitedly exclaimed, “You want to hear something creepy? My camera recognized that statue as a face instead of an object?”. Haunted or haunting? You decide.
Barrier-Free Travel
Utah National Parks for Wheelchair-users and Slow Walkers
Romantic retreats come in all shapes and sizes, but truly there’s nothing better than toasting your sweetheart as you both enjoy a magical sunset on the rugged Northern California coast. Picture it — the waves crash against the rocks, there’s a slight breeze in the air, and the sun slips slowly beneath the colorful horizon. What could be more perfect? And although this idyllic moment may seem like something that can only be created on a Hollywood soundstage, truly it’s well within your reach. As with real estate transactions, the key ingredient here is location; and in this case, that location is the Little River Inn (littleriverinn.com) in scenic Mendocino County. And the great news is, it’s also an excellent choice for wheelchair-users and slow walkers.
The Wheelchair-Accessible Mendocino Coast Inn
Perched on a hillside with a commanding view of the Pacific Ocean, the Little River Inn is one of the oldest properties in the area. It was built in 1857 by Ole Coombs, and it remains in the family today. In fact, the Combs family is very proud of their “five generations in the hospitality business”. And their experience definitely shows in their excellent customer service.
The 65-room property, which is set on 225 wooded acres, now also boasts luxury suites and spacious cottages, along with a nine-hole golf course, tennis courts and even a salon and day spa. Access upgrades have also been added over the years; in fact the Coombs family did a great job of preserving the ambiance of this historic property, while making it an attractive and accessible choice for customers with mobility issues.
The office and registration area is located in the historic building near the front of the property. Accessible parking is located close to the front door; however there are steps up to the front porch. Best bet is to pull around on the left side to access a ramp that winds around to the front porch. From there, it’s a piece of cake, with ramp access to the office, and plenty of room to maneuver a wheelchair inside.
The Room
Room 166 at the Little River Inn
Room 166, which is a accessible deluxe oceanview room, is located near the back of the complex, well away from the main road. Standard parking is located just steps from the front door, and with two spaces reserved for the room, there’s plenty of room to park an accessible van and deploy the lift or ramp. There’s level access to the front door with excellent pathway access in the spacious room. Other access features include wide doorways, lever handles, a lowered clothing rod, drapery wands and low-pile carpet for easy rolling.
Furnishings include a 27-inch high king-sized bed with wheelchair access on both sides, two night tables, and a desk with a chair. A table and two chairs are strategically positioned by the picture window, and two easy chairs sit near the gas fireplace. Top it off with a wet bar with a refrigerator and a coffee maker and you have everything you need.
Toilet in room 166
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Toilet in room 166
The spacious bathroom includes a full five-foot turning radius, and is outfitted with a roll-in shower with grab bars, a hand-held showerhead and a built-in ceramic tile shower bench. The well designed shower is extremely user-friendly, with the bench located close to the shower controls, and plenty of room for transfers. There’s also a separate 22-inch high Jacuzzi tub with grab bars in the bathroom. The toilet grab bars are located on the back and right walls (as seated), and a lowered mirror hangs above the roll-under sink.
Room 166 at the Little River Inn, (view 2)
It’s a comfortable room with excellent access, and a spectacular ocean view from the balcony. There’s level access out to the balcony through a large sliding glass door, and plenty of room to maneuver a wheelchair outside. And if it’s stormy, there’s also a beautiful view from just about any spot in the room.
The Cuisine
Of course the accommodations at this wheelchair-accessible Mendocino Coast inn are only half the story, as the Little River Dining Room is also the perfect choice for a romantic dinner. Located next to the office, the restaurant features barrier-free access, with plenty of room to maneuver a wheelchair. And you just can’t beat the serene ocean and garden views.
The menu highlights fresh local fare and includes offerings such as salads filled with local greens, luscious bowls of clam chowder and Thai inspired rock cod. And if you’d like some pub fare, they also offer fish and chips and cheeseburgers. Add in an extensive wine list and you have everything you need,
Although the restaurant offers an equally enticing breakfast menu, room service is also available. Choose from Eggs Benedict, Huevos Rancheros, a bevy of traditional breakfast favorites and even Swedish Hotcakes. Plus you just can’t beat the ocean view from your room.
All in all, the Little River Inn is the perfect place to steal away with your sweetie for a wheelchair-accessible Mendocino Coast getaway. And if you forget the name of the property, just think of romance and you’ll remember their phone number — (888) INN-LOVE.
Sunset view at the Little River Inn
Barrier-Free Travel Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
Although there aren’t any hotels inside Denali National Park, several wheelchair-accessible Denali lodging choices are located nearby. And if you’d like to forego the creature comforts of a traditional lodge and sleep under the stars, you can also pitch your own tent inside the park. To that end, here are some of the top wheelchair-accessible Denali lodging choices.
Lobby at the Denali Princess WildernessLodge
Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge
www.princesslodges.com/princess-alaska-lodges/denali-lodge/
Located just a mile north of the park entrance on the George Parks Highway, the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge is a convenient and accessible choice. Accessible parking is located near the main lodge, with level access over to the entrance. Inside, there’s barrier-free access to the comfortable seating area around the fireplace, and level access over to the front desk. There’s also elevator access to the downstairs public area, where River Run Espresso is located.
This massive property features 656 guest rooms, which are located in separate buildings dotted throughout the wooded complex. That said, nothing is too far away, as an accessible on-property shuttle is available to all guests.
The newest accessible rooms are located in the B building. Room 206 features wide doorways and good pathway access; and is furnished with a 28-inch high king-sized bed with wheelchair access on both sides. It also includes a 13-inch high sleeper sofa and a desk with a chair. The large bathroom is outfitted with a roll-in shower with a fold-down shower bench, grab bars and a hand-held showerhead. Other access features include a roll-under sink and toilet grab bars on the back and left walls (as seated). Room 204, which is located next door, includes the same access features, but the toilet grab bars are located on the back and right walls (as seated).
Room 206 at the Denali Princess Lodge
The Great Room, which features level access, offers coffee and pastries in the morning. There’s also barrier-free access to the adjacent deck, which is a perfect place to sit back and enjoy the view. There’s good wheelchair-access to all the dining venues, including the King Salmon Dining Room, the Grizzly Bar & Grill and Lynx Creek Pizza and Pub. And when you’re ready to visit the park, a wheelchair-accessible shuttle is available.
Next up on the list of wheelchair-accessible Denali lodging options is Denali Park Village. Located just six miles south of the park, the property features accessible parking with barrier-free access over to the entrance. Inside, there’s good pathway access to the front desk, the Lucky Miss Saloon, the Gold Rush Dining Room and the gift shop.
This 338-room property features spacious accessible rooms housed in buildings throughout the wooded campus. And although some of the offerings are a good hike from the main lodge, an accessible on-site shuttle bus is also available. The 700 building, which is located near the main lodge, offers a number of wheelchair-accessible rooms, and it’s the only building with elevator access,
Room 706 features wide doorways and good pathway access. It’s furnished with a 25-inch high queen-sized bed with wheelchair access on both sides. Additionally, there’s a small roll-under sink in the main room area. The room also has a small deck area that overlooks the river, and although there is a one-inch lip out to it, it’s doable for most people.
The bathroom features a full five-foot turning radius and is outfitted with a roll-in shower with a fold-down shower bench, grab bars and a hand-held showerhead. There’s also a larger roll-under sink in the bathroom, and the toilet grab bars are located on the back and left walls (as seated). And if you need toilet grab bars on the other side, room 712 is a mirror image of room 706.
Bathroom in room 706
A portable shower chair is available for any room upon request, and refrigerated medicine can be stored at the front desk. Wheelchair-accessible shuttle service to and from Denali National Park is also available upon request
If you prefer a smaller family owner wheelchair-accessible Denali lodging option, then look no further than the Denali Grizzly Bear Resort, which is just across the street from Denali Park Village. There’s ramped access up to the front office and barrier-free access over to the front desk. Opened as a campground in 1968, today this property boasts a hotel and cabins, along with the campsites. And although the resort has grown, there’s still an emphasis on friendly individualized service there.
Room B4 is located in the Cedar Hotels, which is a short drive from the office. Parking is available in a level dirt area across from the room, and there’s ramp access up to the front door. The cavernous room includes wide doorways and room enough for even the largest wheelchair or scooter to wheel around with ease.
Room A4 at the Grizzly Bear Resort
Furnishings include two 24-inch high double beds with an access aisle between them, a chest of drawers and an easy chair. This room also features an expansive river view from the private deck. The bathroom has a full five-foot turning radius and includes a roll-in shower with a padded fold-down shower bench, a hand-held showerhead and grab bars. Add in a roll-under sink and toilet grab bars on the back and left walls (as seated), and you have a very accessible room.
Bathroom in room A4 at the Grizzly Bear Resort
Again, the emphasis is on personal service at the Denali Grizzly Bear Resort. A portable shower chair is available for any room upon request, and there’s also a loaner wheelchair in the office. And if you’d like a few suggestions about things to do in the area, don’t be afraid to hit up the manager. Not only is he a life-long local resident, but as he’s intimately familiar with the wheelchair-accessibility of businesses and attractions nearby.
Finally, if you’d prefer to camp out and enjoy the great outdoors, then the Riley Creek Campground, which is located near the park entrance, is the perfect choice. Although the campground is open year-round, the restrooms and showers are only open in the summer, so realistically it’s only a seasonal option.
That said, it’s a beautiful — and very quiet — campground, which features a number of accessible campsites with raised tent platforms, accessible picnic tables and grills. Some campsites can also accommodate a RV. Reservations can be made online; and as an added bonus, folks with an America the Beautiful Access Pass or a Senior Pass get 50% off of all camping fees.
Riley Creek Campground is located next to the Mercantile, which offers level access and carries a good variety of groceries, sundries and camping supplies. But by far one of the best features of the campground — the heated shower house— is located next to the Mercantile.
There’s level access to both the men’s and the women’s side of the shower house. Both sides are outfitted with a large accessible toilet stall with grab bars, and a larger shower with a fold-down bench. Although there is a one-inch lip on the accessible shower, most folks will be able to transfer directly to the fold-down shower bench.
Riley Creek Campground is also located between two shuttle bus stops, and all of the park shuttles are wheelchair-accessible. In the end, no matter what lodging choice you make, plan to stay at lest two or three nights to enjoy all that the park has to offer. And remember to make your reservations early, as these wheelchair-accessible Denali lodging choices fill up fast.
Barrier-Free Travel National Park Lodges for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
Miami Beach wheelchair access just got a little bit better, thanks to the availability of loaner beach wheelchairs and the installation of Mobi-Mats and swim ropes.
Power and manual beach wheelchairs are available for loan at Beach Patrol Headquarters at 1001 Ocean Drive, and the Beach Patrol location at South Pointe Park. They are available on a first-come basis from 9 AM to 6 PM from February to October, and from 9 AM to 4:30 PM from November to January. Although there’s no charge to use the beach wheelchairs, visitors are asked to leave something of value (drivers license, wheelchair, etc.) as a security deposit, to ensure the return of the equipment.
The manual beach wheelchairs can go into water up to six inches deep, but the power beach wheelchairs, cannot enter the water. For more information, or to check on the availability of the beach wheelchairs, call (305) 673-7714.
Miami Beach also has Mobi-Mats installed at a number of their beaches. These hard-surfaced mats allow slow walkers and wheelchair-users to travel over sandy sections and offer barrier-free access to the beach. Additionally, a number of beaches are also equipped with swim ropes. For more information, and details about the Mobi-Mat and swim rope locations, visit www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/public-works/ada/beach-wheel-chair-access/. So get out and enjoy the improved Miami Beach wheelchair access.
