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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Above the Clouds
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.
Sweet Memories
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.
George’s Cabin
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.
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.
Barrier-Free Travel National Park Lodges for Wheelers and Slow Walkers