Located in Southeastern Nevada, Cathedral Gorge State Park (parks.nv.gov/parks/cathedral-gorge) is home to a long narrow valley filled with cathedral-like spire formations that were crafted by wind and rain over the years. At first glance, it’s doesn’t exactly look like a wheelchair-friendly environment. On the other hand, thanks to modern technology, wheelchair-users and slow walkers can now explore this rugged region on a loaner track chair.
The power Action Trackchair has tank tank tracks instead of wheels, and it will easily wheel over obstacles that are inaccessible in a standard wheelchair. The track chair is available for loan upon advance reservation. Once you arrive at the park, the staff will brief you on how to operate the chair and answer any questions that you may have. And after that, you are off on your own adventure in the park. For more information about the track chair or to make reservations, call (775) 728-8101. Plan ahead though, as this loaner track chair is bound to book up quickly.
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As the only in-park lodging option, Zion Lodge (www.zionlodge.com/) is a popular choice for visitors to Zion National Park. This historic property was originally constructed in the 1920s, but it was destroyed by a fire in 1966. Although it was quickly rebuilt, the new design lacked the historic appeal that visitors had come to appreciate, so it was rebuilt once again to resemble the original structure. And not only does the property offer a nicely accessible — and secluded — cabin; but you just can’t beat the location as it’s literally surrounded by Zion Canyon.
Wheelchair-Accessible Cabin at Zion Lodge
Interestingly enough the cabin section of the fire survived the 1966 fire, so you’ll be staying in a piece of Zion history. That said, accessible cabin 529 is a modern wheelchair-accessible Zion Lodge cabin.
Although personal vehicles are prohibited on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, confirmed Zion Lodge guests receive a permit to drive to the hotel and an access code to park there. From the accessible parking space, there’s level access to the main lodge, and barrier-free access to the front desk, bookstore and accessible restrooms.
Cabin 529 is located a short walk away from the main lodge, but that’s a good thing, as it’s nicely isolated from the hustle and bustle of the main lodge. Accessible parking is available directly in front of the cabin, with ramp access up to the front porch. Access features include wide doorways, a level threshold and good pathway access. The rustic cabin is furnished with a 27-inch high queen-sized bed with wheelchair access on both sides, a desk with a chair, and two side chairs. And just to set the ambiance, the original coal-powered fireplace has been converted to propane.
The bathroom is equipped with a roll-in shower with a fold-down shower bench, grab bars and a hand-held showerhead. The toilet grab bars are located on the back and left walls (as seated), and the bathroom also includes a roll-under sink and a portable shower bench. Best of all, there’s no television in the cabin, so you can just sit back and enjoy the sounds of Mother Nature.
Additionally, the cabin is located at the far end of the parking lot, so it doesn’t face any other cabins. It’s the perfect spot to sit back and enjoy the splendor of Zion Canyon from your own front porch.
Bedroom in Cabin 529
Shower in Cabin 529
Toilet in Cabin 529
Zion Lodge Perks
Zion Lodge
Of course a comfortable wheelchair-accessible Zion Lodge cabin with a great view is only one of the perks of staying in the park. First of all, Zion Lodge is home to the two in-park restaurants. The Red Rock Grill is just a short elevator ride away from the main lobby and the front desk. Open year-round for breakfast, lunch and dinner; the menu features a combination of American classics and Southwest favorites.
The more casual Castle Dome Café, which is closed during the winter months, is located to the left of the gift shop, just off the main lobby. There’s level access to the snack bar, which offers coffee and pastries in the morning, and burgers, hot dogs, fries and other snack items throughout the rest of the day. Accessible seating is available in the adjacent patio. And if you’d like an adult beverage, there’s level access to the outdoor Beer Garden, which is located next to the café.
Another perk of staying at Zion Lodge is the scenery. Not only can you enjoy Zion Canyon from your own cabin, but it’s not unusual to spot wild turkeys and deer on the front lawn of the main lodge. Get up early and stake out a place on the patio, and enjoy a little wildlife viewing with your morning coffee.
And finally, it’s easy find and book the accessible cabin. Just go to the website, pick a date, and select your room to book it online. It’s that easy — no phone calls or special requests are required.
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Located 130 miles southeast of Las Vegas, Grand Canyon West (grandcanyonwest.com) is not part of the US National Park System. It’s located on the Hualapai Reservation, and it’s home to the Grand Canyon Skywalk. This massive cantilever glass bridge extends out over the canyon rim and gives visitors a panoramic view of the canyon below. And although it’s outside the jurisdiction of the US government, this popular attraction offers good access for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. You can roll right out on the skywalk, and enjoy the beautiful canyon.
The Basics
Grand Canyon West is not located anywhere near the popular South Rim or the more remote North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. It’s about a four-hour drive from the South Rim, and over six-hours from the North Rim. It’s definitely not a doable day trip from either of those sites. On the other hand, it’s just a two-hour drive from Las Vegas, so if you get an early start it makes a good day excursion from there.
It should be noted that because Grand Canyon West is not part of the US National Park system, national park passes are not valid for admission. Unfortunately the entrance price tag isn’t cheap either, but many consider it a treat and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Still, leave room in your budget for the hefty entrance fee — usually about $100 per person.
On the Skywalk at Grand Canyon West
The Skywalk itself is considered an engineering marvel, as it extends out over the canyon and provides unobstructed views below. If you’re a little hesitant, don’t worry, as it’s incredibly sturdy. It’s built to withstand an 8.0 earthquake and winds up to 100 miles-per-hour. Still, looking straight down through the glass at the canyon floor may cause temporary vertigo in some people. If that happens, there’s one simple cure — just close your eyes.
The Grand Canyon Skywalk Experience
Vertical View from the Skywalk at Grand Canyon West
There are three main sections to Grand Canyon West, and a wheelchair-accessible shuttle connects these areas with the entrance plaza. Eagle Point is where the Skywalk is located, Guano Point is an abandoned mining site with some great canyon views, and Hualapai Point is home to the lodge, ranch and western village.
The Skywalk itself offers great wheelchair access. There’s ramp access up to the entrance and level access to the adjacent locker area. Nothing is permitted out on the skywalk, so all purses, cameras, backpacks and bags must be left in the lockers. Ambulatory visitors are asked to wear disposable booties on the skywalk, but there are no restrictions for wheelchair-users.
From the locker area, you can just roll right out to the skywalk, to get a bird’s eye view of the canyon below. It’s truly a breathtaking experience, and you can spend as much time on the skywalk as you want. And since cameras are prohibited on the skywalk, staff photographers are on hand to photograph visitors. Granted there’s an extra charge for this, but it’s a highly recommended souvenir.
It’s important to note that Grand Canyon West gets extremely busy with bus tours after 11 AM. Best bet for a more memorable experience is to get an alpine start and hit the Skywalk when it opens at 8 AM. Spend some time at Guano Point and Hualapai Point afterwards, enjoy the native dancers, browse through the crafts market and then have a bite to eat. And as you head out, the bulk of the crowds will be entering the site. Truly, it’s the most relaxing way to enjoy the Grand Canyon Skywalk.
Barrier-Free Travel the Grand Canyon for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
Located on the east side of the state, about five hours from Zion, Canyonlands National Park is the largest of Utah’s “mighty five”. That said, it’s also a pretty rugged park, and you’ll need a four-wheel-drive vehicle to access some of the more remote areas. There are however two sections of the park that are easily accessible in a standard car or truck — the Needles District and the Island in the Sky District. Both of these areas offer scenic drives on paved roads, with overlooks and viewpoints along the route.
Insider Tips
Don’t miss Newspaper Rock which is located just outside the Needles District, about 12 miles from the intersection of Highway 191 and Highway 211. This massive rock contains an impressive collection of historic petroglyphs, which date back some 1,500 years. There’s a 30-foot long level trail next to the petroglyph panels that offer visitors an up-close-and-personal look at these Puebloan and Ute relics.
For the best view in the park, head over to Grand View Point Overlook. From there, you’ll get a very accessible view of the La Sal Mountains and the Colorado River Canyon, and you can even catch a gander of The Needles District in the distance.
Be sure and stop at Shafer Canyon Overlook on your way out of the park. Although there are also turnouts near this overlook on the way in, it’s best to catch the view as you head north– near where the final scene of Thelma and Louise was filmed. Impressive is an understatement.
Named for Ebenezer Bryce, a Scottish immigrant who settled in the Paria Valley in 1875, Bryce Canyon National Park is known for the spire-like hoodoos that seem to magically rise from the canyon floor. Created by a combination of freezing, thawing and erosion, these unusual limestone formations were sculpted over millions of years. Today, this Utah national park is often described as a cave without a ceiling; as the hoodoos bear a striking resemblance to stalagmites found on cavern floors.
Insider Tips
Free wheelchair-accessible shuttle bus transportation through the park amphitheater is available from April through the end of September. Although cars are allowed along this route, parking is at a premium during the busy summer season, so taking the shuttle bus is the easiest way to see the park.
Don’t miss the Bryce Canyon Shared Use Path – the longest accessible trail in the park. This paved trail begins outside of the park at the shuttle staging area at Ruby’s in Bryce Canyon City, and travels 2.4 miles to the park entrance, then continues another 2.6 miles to Inspiration Point. It also connects with the shuttle system at the visitor center, general store, lodge, Sunset Point, Sunset Campground and Inspiration Point, so you can do as much of the trail as you like, then hop on the accessible shuttle to return to your car.
The historic Lodge at Bryce Canyon, which dates back to 1925, offers four wheelchair accessible rooms – two with roll-in showers and two with tub/shower combinations. This rustic property was the brainchild of Gilbert Stanley Underwood who also designed Old Faithful Lodge at Yellowstone, the Ahwahnee at Yosemite, and Jackson Lake Lodge at Grand Teton National Park.
Located in Southwestern Utah, Zion National Park was the Beehive State’s first national park. Although a good percentage of the park is designated as wilderness, there are many developed areas which can be visited with a minimal effort. At the top of the list is Zion Canyon, a 15-mile drive bordered by spectacular sandstone cliffs. Over on the west side of the park, Kolob Canyons offers a more bucolic view of the Colorado Plateau; while the eastern Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway connects Zion with Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon. No matter where you look, there’s no shortage of breathtaking scenery in this national park.
Insider Tips
Don’t miss the free Ride with a Ranger Tours that are offered twice daily on the park shuttle buses. These two-hour narrated tours include several stops along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Advance reservations are required, and they can be made up to three days in advance. And the good news is, all park shuttle buses are lift-equipped, so everyone can enjoy these tours.
If you want to dodge the crowds, then explore the five-mile long Kolob Canyons Scenic Byway, located in the northwestern corner of the park. This scenic route climbs 1,000 feet in elevation and offers great views of the red Navajo sandstone canyon walls along the way. There are a number of paved pullouts on the route, and although none of them are striped, they are strategically placed so you can get good windshield views.
For a very accessible place to rest your head, consider staying in cabin 529 at Zion Lodge. This historic cabin dates back to the 1920s, and it includes a queen-sized bed and a bathroom with a roll-in shower. As an added bonus, this lodge is one of the most scenic national park properties around, as it’s surrounded by Zion Canyon.
