If your travels take you to the Volunteer State, then check out the loaner all terrain wheelchairs in Tennessee state parks. The list is growing, but currently over 30 state parks offer these loaner wheelchairs. They are available to both adults and children, and they can be operated independently or with caregiver assistance. And each park has a list of specific trails you can try out in their loaner all terrain wheelchairs. The wheelchairs are available at these Tennessee state parks.
West Tennessee
Chickasaw State Park
Fort Pillow State Historic Park
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park
Natchez Trace State Park
Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park
Paris Landing State Park
Pickwick Landing State Park
Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Park
Reelfoot Lake State Park
T.O. Fuller State Park
Middle Tennessee
Bledsoe Creek State Park
Cedars of Lebanon State Park
Cumberland Mountain State Park
Cummins Falls State Park
David Crockett State Park
Fall Creek Falls State Park
Henry Horton State Park
Long Hunter State Park
Radnor Lake State Park
Alvin C. York State Historic Park
Tims Ford State Park
East Tennessee
Booker T. Washington State Park
Cove Lake State Park
Cumberland Trail State Park
Harrison Bay State Park
Indian Mountain State Park
Panther Creek State Park
Red Clay State Historic Park
Roan Mountain State Park
Rocky Fork State Park
Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park
Warriors’ Path State Park
Reservations for the all terrain track chairs are available at stateoftennessee.formstack.com/forms/all_terrain_wheelchair_request. Alternatively, you can call the parks directly with your reservation request. This method is preferred when the anticipated visit is less than three days away. And although reservations are preferred, the all terrain wheelchairs are available on a walk-up basis, if they are not already reserved.
Although there’s no shortage of fun attractions in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, sometimes it’s nice to take a break from the city. Fortunately these popular tourist hubs are just a stone’s throw away from the incredibility scenic Great Smoky Mountains National Park (www.nps.gov/grsm/). The good news is, even though this Appalachian gem is America’s most visited national park, there’s still plenty of room to spread out and enjoy a quiet slice of Mother Nature. So pack a picnic lunch and plan a day away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and enjoy a wheelchair-accessible Smoky Mountain day trip
Get Your Bearings
Getting to the park is easy. From Pigeon Forge, just follow Highway 321 south to Gatlinburg, then head west on Highway 441. And once you get to the park, make sure your first stop is Sugarlands Visitor Center.
There’s plenty of accessible parking in front, with level access over to the main building, and to the accessible restrooms on the far side. Inside there’s ample room to maneuver a wheelchair through the small museum and bookstore, and to the ranger information desk. There’s also level access and accessible seating in the theater, where a 20-minute film about the park is shown throughout the day. It’s the perfect place to get a good overview of the park and pick up a few maps. The one thing you won’t find at the Sugarlands Visitor Center — or anywhere else in the park — is a fee collection station, as there is no entrance fee for Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Take a Wheelchair-Accessible Smoky Mountain Hike
Sugarland Valley Nature Trail in Smoky Mountain National Park, Tennessee
Unfortunately the trail at Sugarlands Visitor Center is not accessible, due to rocks and ruts along the way. That said there is a nicely accessible option just down the road — the Sugarland Valley Nature Trail. It’s located just south of the Sugarlands Visitor Center on the east side of Newfound Gap Road.
This nicely accessible trail was made possible through a public-private partnership, with $60,000 in federal funding and $90,000 in private donations. There’s plenty of accessible parking near the trailhead, and level access over to the paved half-mile loop. Along the way interpretive plaques describe the natural features of this area, which includes a greater variety of salamanders than anywhere else in the world.
It’s also a great place to spot wildlife, including deer, wild turkeys and even bear. And there’s even some unintended evidence of the robust bear population, as a bear tracked through the wet concrete when the trail was built. There are also a few rock chimneys from old cabins along the way, and you just can’t beat the view of the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River. It’s a nicely shaded walk, so it’s an ideal choice for a hot day.
A Scenic Drive to Remember
Roaring Fork Motor Trail in Smoky Mountain National Park, Tennessee
Finally, get an entirely different view of the forest on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, located just outside of Gatlinburg. It’s easy to find — just follow Highway 441 east from the Sugarlands Visitor Center, and turn right at Stoplight #8 on Historic Nature Trail (Airport Road). You can’t miss it — Bubba Gump’s is on the corner. Continue along the road till you hit Cherokee Orchard Road. Bear right on Cherokee Orchard Road, which will take you to the one-lane Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.
This 5.5-mile loop drive winds through the forest and offers a quiet look at the national park. Pick up a brochure at the beginning of the drive to learn more about the history and ecological diversity of the area. Best of all, RVs and buses are not permitted on this drive, so it’s a great way to dodge the crowds.
The drive begins in a dense hardwood forest filled with chestnuts, oaks, maples and magnolias. The trees arch over the road in places; and in season you’ll even get a glimpse at the tulip trees in bloom. The road passes by 25-foot high Grotto Falls before it transitions into a hemlock forest. Old log cabins dot the landscape, and there’s even a grist mill along the way. Last but not least, the route eases past the “place of a thousands drips”, which becomes a mini-waterfall in wet weather. It’s a very pleasant drive, but it’s important to note that the road is closed in the winter. Additionally, it’s an absolutely gorgeous fall foliage route.
Population 10,337
This rural Tennessee town is a tasty place to stop for a treat along the White Lightening Trail. The route — formerly called Thunder Road — received its colorful moniker from bootleggers who once roared along it in their hot rods to deliver prohibition era moonshine. Today this 200-mile drive features historic towns, a slice or two of Appalachian history, and some absolutely gorgeous scenery. And for a step back in time, stop in at Hoskins Drug Store (www.hoskinsdrugstoreandsodafountain.com) in downtown Clinton. Established in 1930 the store retains much of its old time charm, and includes a small lunch counter and a soda fountain. There’s accessible parking on Main Street, with level access to the store, and the soda fountain has booths with room at the end for wheelchairs. And although you can certainly order a burger and fries, the real reason to stop at this soda fountain is for the milkshakes — they’re absolutely delicious.
This local artist’s ongoing creation is just a short jog off of Interstate 40, about midway between Nashville and Memphis. If you take exit 66 and follow Highway 70 for about eight miles, you’ll find yourself cruising down Brownsville’s main drag, just minutes away from the installation. You can see Billy Tripp’s Mindfield from the street, but for a closer look, park at the Food Giant next door. There’s accessible parking in the lot, and it’s a level roll over to a good vantage point.
Started in 1989 with some salvaged metal, this burgeoning sculpture represents Mr. Tripp’s emotional and personal growth over the years. The installation towers over the nearby businesses, and includes everyday objects that are intricately woven into the piece. From a basketball hoop and a claw foot bathtub, to a canoe and several grain hoppers, it’s clear that just about anything is fair game for inclusion. Don’t miss the water tower, which was transported to the site from a defunct Kentucky factory, and is said to stand as a memorial to the artist’s parents. And when Tripp dies, he’s already got permission from the city to be entombed in his work of art.
Although the America the Beautiful Passes (emerginghorizons.com/how-to-get-a-lifetime-national-park-pass) grant free admission to US national parks, not everybody qualifies for them. Of course you can always purchase a yearly pass that will get you in any national park; however if you only visit a few parks that’s not very cost effective. On the other hand, not all national parks charge an admission fee. With that in mind, here are six national parks you can visit for free.
North Cascades National Park
Accessible pier on Diablo Lake in North Cascades National Park
emerginghorizons.com/north-cascades-national-park
Located in Northern Washington, North Cascades National Park, not only offers free admission, but it also boasts nearly three miles of wheelchair-accessible trails. Enjoy a short jaunt on the .3-mile Trail of the Cedars, or go for a longer hike on the 1.4-mile accessible section of the River Loop. Or just enjoy the scenic drive on the State Route 20 Corridor.
Redwood National & State Parks
Prairie Creek trail in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
emerginghorizons.com/redwood-national-and-state-parks
Nothing beats the majesty of Northern California’s coastal redwoods in this mixture of federal and state lands. There are numerous wheelchair-accessible trails, campsites and attractions in both the original national park, and the three additional state parks. And if you’d like to spend the night, two of the state parks offer wheelchair-accessible camping cabins.
Great Basin National Park
Wheeler Peak Overlook in Big Basin National Park
A bit off-the-beaten-path in Eastern Nevada, Great Basin National Park is one of America’s least visited national parks. And that makes it a great place to get away from the crowds. There are numerous accessible overlooks on the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive that offer excellent views of the “great basin”. And if you’d like to stretch your legs, the wheelchair-accessible Island Forest trail makes a .4-mile loop through a pine and fir forest.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Cades Cove in Great Smokey National Park
Although there’s no entrance fee to this popular national park, there is a parking fee if you stop for longer than 15 minutes. That said, the Roaring Fork Motor Trail begins just outside of Gatlinburg, and winds 5.5 miles through a hardwood forest filled with chestnuts, oaks, maples and magnolias. You can stop along the way and snap a few photos, and still visit without a parking pass. And it’s an absolutely beautiful fall foliage drive.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Everett Covered Bridge in Cuyahoga National Park
This Ohio national park offers a scenic drive along the Cuyahoga River, plus several accessible trails and attractions. Save some time to stop at the Canal Exploration Center and the Breckville Nature Center, and don’t miss the Everett Covered Bridge. And if you’d like a little hike, then take the wheelchair-accessible Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath to the Beaver Boardwalk.
Kenai Fjords
View of Exit Glacier
Wrapping up our list of national parks you can visit for free is Kenai Fjords National Park. Although you can certainly visit this Alaska national park by taking a cruise to see some of the nearly 40 glaciers in the Harding Icefield, you can also get a good view of Exit Glacier from the shore. Located three miles north of Seward, Kenai Fjords National Park boasts a one-mile wheelchair accessible loop trail that leads through a cottonwood forest to an accessible viewing area. And you just can’t beat the sight of Exit Glacier, as it seemingly spills down the mountain.
Barrier-Free Travel Washington National Parks for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
There’s no better place to kick back and enjoy Mother Nature than in Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains. And although there’s certainly no shortage of accessible hotels in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville, the best way to really experience the Smoky Mountains is to rent a fully-equipped cabin. So be it a cozy couples getaway or a large family reunion — and everything in between — we have you covered with these wheelchair-accessible Smoky Mountain cabins.
Eagles View
The view from Eagles View
www.awesomemountainvacations.com/eagles-view
The Sevierville address of Eagles View is very misleading, as it’s actually located on a Wears Valley ridge top, midway between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. And it’s within spitting distance of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This one-bedroom, two-bathroom cabin also features a loft; and although it can accommodate up to five people, it’s still perfectly comfortable for a couple.
Parking is available in a paved level spot next to the cabin with ramp access to the wrap around porch. There’s level access to the cabin, and good pathway access throughout the first floor. The living room features a 14-inch high queen-sized sleeper sofa, an easy chair, a TV and a gas fireplace; while the kitchen is equipped with a stove, oven, dishwasher, lowered microwave, full-size refrigerator, and a stackable washer and dryer. Top it off with a dining table with four chairs, and a bar with two high chairs and you have just about everything you need.
The first-floor bedroom is furnished with a 23-inch high open-frame king-sized bed with wheelchair access on the right side (as you face it). The adjacent bathroom has a full five-foot turning radius and is equipped with 36-inch square roll-in shower with grab bars, a hand-held showerhead and a fold-down shower bench. The toilet is located in a 42-inch wide alcove with grab bars on both sides, and the bathroom also has a roll-under sink.
There’s also a hot tub on the front porch, but you need to be able to navigate two steps to use it. All in all access is nicely done here, and you just can’t beat the view from the front porch.
Eagles View Cabin
Great room at Eagles View
Ground Floor bedroom at Eagles View
Toilet and shower at Eagles View
Vanity in bat at Eagles View
Above the Clouds
Above the Clouds Cabin
www.awesomemountainvacations.com/above-the-clouds
Above the Clouds is located down the road from Eagles View, and it features the same expansive ridgetop view. This three-bedroom cabin includes four bathrooms and it can sleep up to 10 people. And the same folks that own Eagles View also own this gem, and great attention has be paid to wheelchair access.
There’s level access to the ramps which lead up to the first and second floor decks. From there level pathways lead to the spacious inside areas. The second floor has an accessible bedroom that’s furnished with a 26-inch high open-frame king-sized bed; and the adjacent bathroom is equipped with a roll-in shower with a fold-down shower bench, a hand-held showerhead, shower and toilet grab bars and a roll-under sink.
The cabin features the same amenities as Eagles View; and it’s filled with homey touches, so you never feel like you’re in a rental. The view from the deck is simply awesome. There’s also a 150-foot walkway in front of the cabin, which offers an equally appealing valley view. And you just can’t beat the location, as it’s just minutes away from Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Bedroom in Above the Clouds Cabin
Shower in Above the Clouds Cabin
Sink and toilet in Above the Clouds Cabin
Sweet Memories
Sweet Memories Cabin
www.airbnb.com/rooms/49978126
Next up on our list of wheelchair-accessible Smoky Mountain cabins is Sweet Memories,
which is located near Dollywood in the Bear Cove Fall Resort. This two-bedroom, two-bathroom cabin can sleep six, and it makes a good choice for two couples or a family with kids in tow.
There’s plenty of parking on a level cement pad in front of the cabin, with barrier-free access over to the front door. Inside, the great room separates two one-bedroom suites, and there’s good pathway access on the wood floors throughout this single-story unit.
The great room features a 12-inch high king-sized sleeper sofa, a love seat, an easy chair, a TV and a traditional wood-burning fireplace. The adjacent kitchen is outfitted with a stove, microwave, dishwasher, refrigerator, toaster, coffee maker and even a blender. It also includes everything you need to whip up a gourmet meal, including a full set of pots, pans, dishes, glassware and utensils. Additionally there’s a dining table with four chairs, as well as a washer and dryer in the unit.
The bedrooms are each furnished with a 25-inch high open-frame king-sized bed. One bedroom has a fireplace, while the other has a Jacuzzi tub. The adjacent bathrooms are mirror images of one another, and they are each equipped with a low step (three inch) tiled shower with grab bars, a hand-held showerhead and a portable shower chair. The toilet grab bars are located on the right and back walls (as seated) in one unit, and on the opposite side in the other. Both bathrooms also have a roll-under sink.
This property is a good choice for many wheelchair-users and slow walkers, as even though the shower has a small step, there’s also ample room to transfer to the portable shower chair.
Great Room in the Sweet Memories Cabin
Great Room in the Sweet Memories Cabin (view 2)
Bedroom in the Sweet Memories Cabin
Sink and toilet in the Sweet Memories Cabin
Shower in the Sweet Memories Cabin
George’s Cabin
George’s Cabin in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
eaglesridge.com/pigeon-forge-cabin/er309-georges
Located in Pigeon Forge, George’s Cabin is next up on our list of wheelchair-accessible Smoky Mountain cabins. It features five bedrooms and four bathrooms and can sleep up to 14 people. This cabin is a good choice for a two-family getaway, as the two ground-floor bedrooms can accommodate the parents, while the kids can bunk upstairs.
There’s ramped access from the parking area to the rocking chair-lined front porch, and level access into cabin. The first floor of the cabin is wheelchair-accessible, with plenty of room to maneuver a wheelchair through the great room, kitchen and the accessible bedroom suite. The great room is furnished with a comfortable sofa and love seat, and includes a gas fireplace and a TV. The dining area features a table with eight chairs and the fully equipped kitchen includes a stove, microwave, dishwasher and a full-size refrigerator. There’s also a washer and dryer on the first floor.
The accessible first-floor bedroom is furnished with a 25-inch high queen-sized bed with wheelchair access on both sides. The adjacent bathroom is equipped with a roll-in shower with grab bars, a hand-held showerhead and a portable shower bench. The toilet has a grab bar on the back wall, and an optional toilet seat riser with one grab bar on each side. The bathroom also has a roll-under sink. And there’s level access out to the spacious deck, which features a gas grill and a standard hot tub with steps.
Dining and Great Room in George’s Cabin
Kitchen in George’s Cabin
Bedroom in George’s Cabin
Bathroom in George’s Cabin
Big Elk Lodge
Entry to the Big Elk Lodge
www.largecabinrentals.com/cabins/the-big-elk-lodge/
Last but not least on our list of wheelchair-accessible Smoky Mountain cabins is Big Elk Lodge. Located in the Wild Briar log home community in Pigeon Forge, this 16-bedroom, 18-bathroom lodge can sleep up to 81 people.
There’s ramp access up to the front door, and level access into the large great room. Inside, there’s a variety of sofas and love seats on the side near the fireplace, and dining tables and chairs on the side near the kitchen. The double commercial kitchen can surely keep pace with any large group, and it comes fully stocked with all the plates, cups, glassware and utensils that you’ll ever need. Plus you just can’t beat the gorgeous mountain view from the great room or the large wrap around deck.
The first-floor accessible suite is located right off the great room, and it’s furnished with a 30-inch high open-frame king-sized bed, a loveseat, a chest of drawers, a table and a TV. There’s wheelchair access on both sides of the bed, but depending on the furniture placement, the table may need to be moved a bit to fully access both sides. There’s also level access out to the wrap around deck from the bedroom.
The adjacent bathroom features a full five-foot turning radius and is equipped with a roll-in shower with grab bars and a hand-held showerhead. The toilet grab bars are located on the back and right walls (as seated), and the bathroom also has a roll-under sink. A portable shower chair is available upon request.
The large lodge also has a washer and dryer, as well as a full theater downstairs, plus plenty of space in the front to set up picnic tables or even a tent. It’s the perfect choice for family reunions, destination weddings and corporate retreats.
Great Room in Elk Lodge
Dining Hall in Elk Lodge
Porch in Elk Lodge
Ground floor bedroom in Elk Lodge
Toilet and sink in ground floor bathroom in Elk Lodge
Shower in ground floor bathroom in Elk Lodge
Barrier-Free Travel National Park Lodges for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
If your travels take you to the Volunteer State, then check out the loaner all terrain wheelchairs in Tennessee state parks. The list is growing, but currently over 30 state parks offer these loaner wheelchairs. They are available to both adults and children, and they can be operated independently or with caregiver assistance. And each park has a list of specific trails you can try out in their loaner all terrain wheelchairs. The wheelchairs are available at these Tennessee state parks.
