Penned by accessible travel expert Candy B. Harrington, this access guide includes detailed information about accessible trails, sites, lodging options, tours and attractions in Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. It’s the definitive guide to wheelchair-accessible Utah National Parks. This handy resource features:
- Detailed access information on trails and viewpoints that will work for wheelchair-users and slow walkers.
- Details on free accessible bus tours in Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park.
- Accessible transportation options in Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park.
- Information about barrier-free camping options in the parks, including the site numbers and features of the accessible campsites.
- Detailed descriptions of all in-park accessible lodging options, as well as photographs of the accessible rooms.
- Access details and photos of 23 additional accessible lodging options located near the parks.
- Details on often overlooked accessible lodging features, such as bed height and toilet grab bar placement.
- Information about ranger-led tours, loaner wheelchairs and the free America the Beautiful Access Pass.
- Inside tips on where to go for the best windshield views, accessible picnic spots and sunset photos.
This guidebook includes detailed information that will help wheelchair-users and slow walkers find an accessible room and build an accessible itinerary for any Utah national park. Barrier-Free Travel; Utah 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 little slower and anybody who uses a cane, walker, wheelchair or scooter.
A must have resource to explore wheelchair-accessible Utah National Parks.
Preface
Drama Prevails at Utah’s Mighty Five
I first visited Zion National Park when I was 12 years old. I remember it well, as it poured down rain on our first night there, and instead of pitching a tent we spent the night in the car. Despite my rocky introduction to Utah’s national parks, that July night began what I can only describe as my ongoing love affair with Utah’s Mighty Five.
I’ve visited the parks a number of times in the years since then, and my love has only deepened for them. That said, if I could use one word to collectively describe them, it would be “dramatic”. The drama of nature’s forces — wind, rain and even snow — has shaped the canyons, cliffs, hoodoos and arches of the parks over the years. And that weather drama continues today.
As it so happens, I had a front row seat for that drama last fall, when I spent a month in Utah doing the final research and site inspections for this book. It started with a heavy rainstorm and flash floods. Charles and I were hunkered down in our Hurricane house when the deluge hit; but earlier that day we almost ended up in Hillsdale — where 12 people died in a flash flood — on our way back from Bryce. The storm was powerful, with winds blowing solid sheets of water vertically. I rushed to close our windows, but I was a day late and a dollar short, and I ended up with a sopping wet carpet.
But I fared much better than the seven hikers who were also killed in a flash flood in one of Zion’s slot canyons. Apparently they entered the slot canyon at the wrong time and couldn’t escape the rising water. Their bodies were found in seven different places over the next few days.
Then there was the rockslide. Again, an event we just missed. We had traveled down the Mt. Carmel Highway — which was blocked for nearly a week — the previous day. Because of all the rain, the mountain just gave way, and down it came, right in the middle of the road. Fortunately it happened late at night and nobody was injured.
And let’s not forget about the wildfire. We had a front row seat for that one, as we could see it inching up a nearby mountain from our dining room. The terrain was rugged, which made the fire unreachable by fire crews, so they let Mother Nature take care of it. In the end, the combination of wet weather and depleted fuel finally extinguished it.
Of course that wasn’t the only trip that I encountered Mother Nature’s obstacles; in fact I hit snow in Bryce twice in late April. The hoodoos are absolutely beautiful when they are coated with snow, but the weather in that neck of the woods is unpredictable.
I mention these instances not to scare folks , but to merely point out that the canyons and hoodoos are still being shaped by the forces of nature. Indeed it’s a dynamic process. That said if you approach it with a healthy dose of respect, and head the warnings posted at ranger stations and visitor centers, you should be fine. Take a look at the weather forecast, and watch for changing conditions. In other words, be prepared.
And just as you have to be prepared for Mother Nature, you also have to be prepared for access in Utah’s national parks. And that’s exactly why I wrote this book, so you can research things in advance, find accessible lodging, and decide which trails and activities are doable for you in these beautiful parks.
Unfortunately I encountered a number of hotel clerks and store employees who in their efforts to be helpful passed on some incorrect access information. For example one front desk clerk suggested I take the trail up to Weeping Rock in Zion, because it was perfect for wheelchairs. Nothing could be further from the truth as that trail is even too steep for power wheelchairs. Another helpful employee told me the Roadside Ruin trail in Canyonlands was a good accessible choice. Perhaps part of it is after you descend the stairs to the trailhead, but she left out the part that you had to scramble over several boulders to complete the loop. So that’s another reason I wrote this book – to dispel the misinformation.
I also wrote it because I’ve seen a great improvement in access in these parks over the years. In fact, in just this past year a five-mile wheelchair-accessible trail was added in Bryce, and another half-mile one was completed in Arches. And I hope to see more changes in the future.
But mostly I wrote this book to encourage slow walkers and wheelchair-users to visit these gems. So I invite you to go out and see what these parks have to offer. Enjoy the drama of these wheelchair-accessible Utah National Parks, and let me know how it goes.
Candy Harrington
candy@EmergingHorizons.com
www.EmergingHorizons.com
Facebook: Candy Harrington
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Contents
- Preface
- Drama Prevails at Utah’s Mighty Five
- Admission and Park Passes
- Admission Fees
- Park Passes
- Zion National Park
- The Basics
- Zion Canyon
- Attractions
- Lodging
- Dining
- Lodging Near Zion Canyon
- Kolob Canyons
- Attractions
- Kolob Terrace Road
- Zion-Mt Carmel Scenic Highway
- Attractions
- Lodging
- Zion National Park Resources
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- The Basics
- Bryce Ampitheater
- Attractions
- Lodging
- Dining
- Rainbow Point Road
- Red Canyon
- Lodging Near Bryce Canyon
- Bryce Canyon National Park Resources
- Capitol Reef National Park
- The Basics
- Attractions
- Lodging
- Lodging Near Capitol Reef
- Boulder-Escalante Area
- Attractions
- Lodging
- Dining
- Capitol Reef National Park Resources
- Canyonlands National Park
- The Basics
- Island in the Sky
- Attractions
- Lodging
- Needles
- Attractions
- Lodging
- Canyonlands National Park Resources
- Arches National Park
- The Basics
- Attractions
- Lodging
- Lodging Near Arches National Park
- Arches National Park Resource
Author Q & As
With almost 60 national parks to pick from, why did you choose these national parks for the book?
There were several reasons for my choice. First off, since the parks are relatively close together, you can visit them all on a week-long vacation. Second, there’s such of variety of scenery between the parks, from canyons and gorges to hoodoos, arches and even sand dunes. Third, because over the years access has greatly improved at all the parks. And finally, because they are just some of my favorites.
How long did it take you to research the book?
I’ve visited and written about all the parks over the years, so I already had a good knowledge about access at the parks. That said, I rented a house in Utah and Charles and I spent a month revisiting all the parks and updating my access information. I also spent a good chunk of time on my pre-trip research, in order to make the most of my time in Utah.
Did you run into any problems or encounter any obstacles on your research trip?
Well we dodged a flash flood, a rock slide and a wildfire, so I’d say we made out pretty well. We did have to keep an eye on the weather though, as we didn’t want to get caught in low lying areas during heavy rain storms. But the ranger stations and visitor centers did a great job of posting the weather and letting folks know about the potential for flash floods.
Did you actually visit all the hotels and lodges you included in the book?
Absolutely. I don’t write about accessible properties that I haven’t personally inspected, as I don’t think it’s a good idea to pass on second hand information. Over the years, there have been a number of times when accessible rooms didn’t exactly live up to their descriptions. We inspected and photographed over 100 accessible rooms for this book alone.
How did you decide to include the properties you did? Are there other properties that you didn’t include, and if so why?
Well I started with the in-park properties and then added properties in nearby communities. I tried to include lodgings in a variety of price ranges. There were a few properties that I declined to cover because they had access obstacles, such as steps up to the lobby or inadequate pathway access in any of the rooms. And unfortunately there were a few that got the boot because the managers just had a really poor attitude about my readers. But for the most part, the employees were very welcoming to guests with disabilities.
The lodges in Zion and Bryce are pretty old. Are they really wheelchair-accessible?
Yes, they are. Even though they are historic properties, access upgrades have been added over the years. Both properties have a variety of accessible rooms, including very nice rooms with roll-in showers.
What’s the best time of year to visit these parks?
I’ve visited them in all four seasons and I have to say that my least favorite time to visit them is in the summer. During that time they are very crowded, and it’s also the rainy season. I prefer fall, after Labor Day. The weather is good, and as you near the end of the month you’ll see fewer and fewer people at the parks. Generally speaking I try and avoid holidays and weekends whenever possible.
How many days should I allot to see all of the parks?
With adequate planning you can see them all in a week, but if you’d prefer a more leisurely pace then I’d allow for 10 days. And if you only have a day, pick one park and enjoy it. I’ve posted some sample itineraries on this website to give you some ideas of how to schedule your time.
Do people with a disability get a discount on admission to these parks? If so, what do you need to qualify for the discount?
Yes. US residents with a permanent disability can get an America the Beautiful Access Pass. This lifetime pass is good for admission to all national parks and it also gives the bearer a 50% discount on campsites and boat launch fees. You can get one at any national park entrance by providing proof of disability and residency.
Did you run into any surprises — in terms of access — when you visited the parks?
Even though I’ve visited the parks many time and did a lot of pre-trip research, I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived at Arches National Park, and saw that they were making access upgrades to the half-mile trail out to Double Arch.
If you had to pick just one park to visit, which one would it be and why?
Well, that’s like trying to pick your favorite child – you love them all but for different reasons. If I had to pick just one though I’d go with Bryce Canyon National Park, as the spire-like hoodoos simply mesmerize me. And they are absolutely gorgeous when they are covered with a dusting of snow.
What was your favorite accessible trail?
Again, it’s hard to single out just one, but I’ll go with the Pa’rus Trail in Zion National Park. This 1.8-mile paved level walkway follows the Virgin River, and runs from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center to Canyon Junction. There are some great views of The Watchman from along the trail, which crosses over the river several times. It’s also a great place for sunset photos.
I try to eat healthy, so what are your suggestions for food in the parks?
National Park food is a far cry from what it was 10 years ago. In 2011 the National Park Service (NPS) launched their Healthy Parks Healthy People program, which included offering healthy selections in their restaurants. Today park concessionaires join the NPS in their commitment to this program. For example the restaurant at The Lodge at Bryce Canyon has a wonderful soup and salad bar and offers vegetarian, low-fat and gluten-free menu options; while the Red Rock Grill at Zion Lodge has a number of vegetarian selections and serves healthy proteins such as Atlantic Salmon. I tend to eat on the healthy side, and I had no problem finding something I could eat on either menu.
What’s next for you? Are you planning to do more national park books?
My next national park book with cover three parks near and dear to my heart – Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia. I grew up in the Sierras, and I still have a home there today, so I’m really looking forward to researching that book. I’ll do the bulk of that research in the Fall of 2016, and the book should be out sometime in 2017. But before I do that I’m going to be writing about my favorite Florida state parks. That book should be out in early 2016.
Wheelchair-Accessible Utah National Parks Itineraries
Check out these wheelchair-accessible Utah National Parks itineraries for your nest visit to Utah’s Mighty Five.
One Day
If you only have one day, some hard choices have to be made. Although it’s not possible to visit all of the wheelchair-accessible Utah National Parks in that short time, here are some suggestions for one day in each park
Zion
After checking out the exhibits in the Zion Canyon Visitor Center, hop on the free shuttle bus and take it to the end of the line at the Temple of Sinawava. Along the way you’ll be treated to some spectacular canyon views, as well as a short narrated tour. The trailhead for the Riverside Walk — which makes a good introductory hike — is just a short walk from the bus stop. The trail follows the Virgin River and ends at the beginning of the Zion Narrows; and although there are some rough spots on the second half, the first half-mile is doable for most wheelchair-users and slow walkers. After the hike, take the shuttle bus to The Grotto picnic area and enjoy an early lunch. There are plenty of picnic tables in the shaded grove, and you’ll get a great view of Angels Landing. After lunch, take the shuttle bus to Canyon Junction, for a gander at the iconic Watchman; then follow the 1.8-mile Pa’rus Trail back to the visitor center.
Bryce Canyon
Begin you day by viewing the short film at the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center. From there, take the free shuttle bus up to Inspiration Point. After you’ve admired the view from the lower viewpoint, take the 2.6-mile Bryce Canyon Shared Use Path back to the visitor center, stopping along the way at The Lodge at Bryce Canyon for lunch. In the afternoon take the two-hour ranger-led bus tour out to Rainbow Point. The tour is free but advance reservations must be made at the visitor center. Plan ahead to avoid disappointment.
Canyonlands
Stop in at the Canyonlands Island in the Sky Visitor Center, then head out to explore this “island” mesa that rises 1,000 feet above the surrounding land. Follow the main park road to the first intersection, then go right to explore Upheaval Dome and left to go all the way out to Grandview Point. And then double back and take the other road. You’ll get the best views from Green River Overlook, Orange Cliffs Overlook and Grandview Point Overlook. White Rim Overlook makes a good lunch stop. And don’t forget to take a slow drive through the Upheaval Dome Picnic Area, for a good windshield view of this collapsed salt dome.
Arches
Start you day out with a stop at the visitor center to check out the interpretive exhibits and to pick up a park map. After that, drive out to Lower Delicate Arch Viewpoint for a look at one of the most photographed formations in the park. Next stop is Wolfe Ranch to see the remains of a historic cabin, and take a short walk out to a rock wall filled with petroglyphs. After that, head out to the windows section of the park and take the trails out to the South Window and Double Arch. Take a lunch break at the Balanced Rock Picnic Area, before taking the short trail out to the precariously perched rock. Finally, work you way back out to the visitor center and stop at Courthouse Towers Viewpoint, Las Sal Mountain Viewpoint and Park Avenue Viewpoint along the way.
Capitol Reef
After a short stop at the visitor center, continue east along Highway 24 and visit the historic Fruita Schoolhouse, take a stroll along the nearby Petroglyph Boardwalk, and then check out the view at the Hickman Bridge Trailhead. Head back towards the visitor center, and take the eight-mile scenic drive out to Capitol Gorge, stopping for lunch along the way at the Doc Inglesby Picnic Area. Take your time on the drive back, as the views are especially dramatic coming from that direction. Don’t forget to stop at the Blacksmith Shop, which has an wayside exhibit of antique tools, before you exit the park.
Three Days
There are still some choices to be made on the three-day itinerary. You can see Zion and Bryce, or Canyonlands and Arches, but not both.
Zion and Bryce
Do the Zion one-day itinerary and spend the night in nearby Springdale. The next morning head over to the west side of the park and take the Kolob Canyons Scenic Drive. After that, drive over to Bryce National Park, and stop at Fairyland Point, just before you get to the visitor center. Stop in at the visitor center and check the schedule for the ranger-led Geology Walk and Rim Walk, then plan your afternoon schedule to include them both. If time allows drive out to Paria View and Bryce Point for some good canyon views. Plan to overnight at one of the hotels in Bryce Canyon City, located just outside of the park. The next day, continue with the one-day Bryce itinerary.
Arches and Canyonlands
Start with the Arches one-day itinerary, and spend the night in Moab. On the second day, return to Arches and drive out to the end of the scenic drive and do the first part of the Devils Garden Trail. On your way back to the visitor center stop at Sand Dune Arch, Fiery Furnace Viewpoint, Salt Valley Overlook and Panorama Point along the way. Spend the afternoon exploring the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park, located southwest of Moab. Wrap-up your visit with the one-day Canyonlands itinerary.
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One Week
This one week itinerary gives you a good sampling of all five of Utah’s national parks.
Begin with the Zion and Bryce three-day Itinerary, then travel over the scenic Mt. Carmel Highway, and continue on to Capitol Reef National Park. After checking out the interpretive exhibits at the visitor center, take the eight-mile scenic drive out to Capitol Gorge. Enjoy the view, then stop for a lunch break at one of the shaded picnic tables at the end of the road. Spend the night in nearby Torrey, but don’t forget to stop for the view at Panorama Point on your way out of the park. Continue the next day with the three-day Arches and Canyonlands itinerary.
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Ten Days
This ten day itinerary allows you to visit some scenic areas outside the national park boundaries. Just supplement the one week itinerary with a visit to any three of these nearby sites.
- Snow Canyon State Park, located 50 miles west of Zion
- Coral Pink San Dunes State Park, located 30 miles southeast of Zion
- The Moab Museum of Film and Western Heritage and scenic Highway 128, located near Arches
- Red Canyon, located along Scenic Byway 12, northwest of Bryce Canyon City
- Anasazi State Park Museum, located in Boulder, 50 miles southwest of Capitol Reef National Park
- Edge of the Cedars State Park, located 70 miles southeast of the Needles Visitor Center in Canyonlands, off of Highway 191
- Dead Horse Point State Park, located near the entrance to the Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands
Wheelchair-Accessible Utah National Parks Side Trips
Although there’s no shortage of accessible things to do in Utah’s national parks, many nearby areas are also good choices for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. With that in mind, here are some wheelchair-accessible Utah National Parks side trips to enjoy along the way.
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Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
stateparks.utah.gov/parks/coral-pink/
Located 30 miles southeast of Zion National Park, off of Highway 89, Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is definitely worth a stop if you’re in the area. Although this small park is a favorite for off-road enthusiasts, the unique color of the sand dunes is a draw for many visitors. Surrounded by Navajo sandstone, the coral pink sand dunes get their color from the high concentration of iron oxide in the sand. Accessible parking is available in the first turnout past the park entrance, with a short level trail out to a viewing platform that overlooks a vast stretch of dunes. There’s also a paved level trail out to an accessible picnic area which has accessible tables on cement pads. Accessible restrooms are located in the parking lot.
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Snow Canyon State Park
stateparks.utah.gov/parks/snow-canyon/
Next up on our list of wheelchair-accessible Utah National Parks side trips is Snow Canyon State Park. Located about 50 miles west of Zion National Park, it makes a nice side trip for people staying in nearby St. George. Alternatively it’s a good place to stop en route to the national park. The three-mail Whiptail Trail begins near the park entrance and runs along the base of this sandstone canyon, before it terminates at the Upper Galoot Picnic Area. The trail is wide, paved and mostly level, and it’s a good option for most wheelchair-users and slow walkers. If you can’t manage the entire length of the trail, there are several other access points near parking areas along the main park road. It’s important to note that there’s no shade along this trail, so start early in the day and take along plenty of water. There’s also a shaded picnic table, an accessible restroom and water available in the lower Galoot Picnic Area. Although the picnic table requires a short roll over a level grassy area, it’s doable for most folks.
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Gunsmoke Filming Site
Fans of the vintage Gunsmoke TV series will want to make a short detour to the former filming site of this popular western. It’s located east of Kanab, and it makes a good stop while traveling between Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park. Take Highway 89 towards Page, then make a left on Johnson Canyon Road. The filming site – which is now pretty dilapidated – is located five miles up the road on the right, across the street from the Indian Cliffs Canyon Ranch. There’s just a wide spot in the road to pull over, and if you look real hard you might be able to make out the marshal’s office and Doc’s place in the distance. After the series went off the air, the site was purchased by a private investor who hoped to turn it into a theme park type attraction, but over the years it’s fallen into disrepair. Still it’s a fun nostalgic stop, and as an added bonus, the scenic drive through Johnson Canyon is nothing short of spectacular.
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Moab Museum of Film and Western Heritage
www.moabmfwh.com
The Moab Museum of Film and Western Heritage makes a good side trip from Arches National Park. It’s housed in Red River Cliffs Lodge, which is located along scenic Highway 128. The drive itself is beautiful too, as the road travels alongside a scenic slice of the Colorado River. There’s accessible parking in front of the lodge, and although the museum is located down a flight of stairs, there’s an alternate accessible entrance. From the accessible parking space, follow the sidewalk on the left, down around the building to the level back entrance. Inside you’ll find a hallway lined with movie posters, with the museum at the far end on the right. There’s level access to the museum with good pathway access to all the exhibits. The museum contains memorabilia from the over 200 movies shot in the area, including City Slickers II, Back to the Future III, Thelma and Louise and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. There’s no admission charge and it’s a fun stop for film buffs.
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Red Canyon
fs.usda.gov/recarea/dixie/recarea/?recid=24942
Often called “Little Bryce”, Red Canyon is located along a short stretch of Scenic Byway 12, northwest of Bryce Canyon City. It’s a lovely drive, and it makes a good stop on the way to Bryce Canyon National Park. The Red Canyon Bicycle Trail, which is located right alongside the highway, runs for eight miles through scenic Red Canyon, before it connects to the new Bryce Canyon Shared Use Path. Although the trail is paved and fairly level for most of the way, there are also a few undulating and steeper sections. It’s not technically wheelchair-accessible because of the grade, but some handcyclists and manual wheelchair-users with good upper body strength may be able to manage it. The best place to access the trail is from the parking area at the west entrance to the canyon. There’s parallel parking with room to deploy a ramp in the asphalt lot, and level access over to the trailhead. Even if you don’t want to try the trail, this spot is worth a stop for the photo op, as it offers a great shot of the canyon entrance. The other access point is located in the parking lot across from the visitor center. This lot has accessible parking with level access to the trail, and it’s a good choice if the west entrance lot is full.
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Newspaper Rock
www.blm.gov/visit/newspaper-rock
Located about 12 miles from the intersection of Highway 191 and Highway 211, Newspaper Rock also makes the wheelchair-accessible Utah National Parks side trips list. Located right along the main road, this massive rock contains an impressive collection of historic petroglyphs. Accessible parking and accessible vault toilets are located in the paved lot. From there, a hard-packed dirt trail covered in crushed granite leads over to the petroglyph panel. The level trail is just 30 feet long, so it’s doable for most people. The older petroglyphs date back 1500 years, and are attributed to the ancient Puebloan people; while the lighter petroglyphs are more recent, and are believed of Ute origin.
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Anasazi State Park Museum
stateparks.utah.gov/parks/anasazi/
Located in Boulder, about 50 miles southwest of Capitol Reef National Park, the Anasazi State Park Museum offers an intimate look at the Anasazi people who once inhabited the area. There’s accessible parking in front of the museum with level access to the entrance. Inside there are accessible restrooms, as well as plenty of space to maneuver a wheelchair around the interpretive exhibits about the ancestral pueblo. Out back there’s a level pathway over to the Coombs excavation site, where 97 rooms, 10 pit structures and hundreds of thousands of artifacts were unearthed. There’s a level walkway through the excavation site, with interpretive panels about the former residents along the way. Although there’s slight grade in a few places, most wheelers will be able to access the site without assistance. And if you’d like to bring along lunch, there’s an accessible picnic table under the trees in front of the museum. Magnolia’s Street Food Truck also serves up some tasty treats near the picnic tables on the weekends.
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Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum
stateparks.utah.gov/parks/edge-of-the-cedars/
Named for its unique location, Edge of the Cedars State Park is about 70 miles southwest of the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park, just off Highway 191. This Blanding museum is a must-see, as not only does it boast an impressive collection of Ancestral Puebloan pottery; but it also includes a partially excavated Puebloan village out back. And the diversity of the artifacts is only surpassed by the excellent accessibility of the site for wheelchair-users and slow walkers.
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Dead Horse Point State Park
stateparks.utah.gov/parks/dead-horse/
Last up on our list of wheelchair-accessible Utah National Parks side trips is Dead Horse Point State Park. This remote park makes a good stop to or from the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park. Make a quick stop at the visitor center then take the scenic drive up to Dead Horse Point. There are several impressive views along the way, but don’t miss the final overlook, which offers a panoramic view of the gooseneck of the Colorado River as it winds through Canyonlands National Park. It’s just 200 feet from the parking lot to the final overlook, with shaded benches to sit and rest along the way. And if you’d like to enjoy a picnic lunch at Dead Horse Point, there’s a small picnic area which has shaded accessible tables. Finally, if you want to spend the night in the park, Yurt 6 in the Wingate Campground is wheelchair-accessible.
Updates
New Price for NPS Senior Pass
Beginning in 2017, the cost for a NPS Senior Pass will increase from $10 to $80. The pass is still valid for the lifetime of the passholder. A new annual Senior Pass is also available for $20, and the cost of it can be applied to the purchase price of a lifetime pass at a later date. The new prices will be implemented by the end of 2017, but the NPS doesn’t have a specific timeline.
Entire Length of Pa’rus Trail Now Accessible
Thanks to some 2019 trail upgrades, the entire length of the Pa’rus Trail in now wheelchair-accessible. Previously a short stretch of the trail at the Canyon Junction end had a steep grade, and was not accessible to manual wheelchair-users. Today that access deficit has been fixed, and wheelchair-users and slow walkers can now access the trail from both the Zion Visitor Center or the Canyon Junction trailheads.
Timed Entry Required for Arches
Arches National Park has instituted a timed entry reservation program for 2022. This pilot program, which runs from April 3, 2022 to October 3, 2022, requires visitors to make advance reservations in order to visit the park. Reservations will be released in monthly blocks on the first of each month (beginning on Jan 3, 2022), for time slots three months from that date. Reservations must be made at www.recreation.gov, and cannot be obtained at the park entrance station. Visitor who do not have a reservation will be turned away.
Change in Bryce Canyon Concessionaire
Forever Resorts has been acquired by Aramark. As a result The Lodge at Bryce Canyon, which was formerly managed by Forever Resorts is now under Aramark management. The access remains the same but the new contact information is listed below.
The Lodge at Bryce Canyon
(855) 765-0255
www.brycecanyonforever.com
Let me know of any changes you find, so I can update my readers.
