Thanks to Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes, the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore offers three loaner track chairs for use by wheelchair-users and slow walkers. The Mama Bear Chair and the Baby Bear Chair can be used on the Bay View Trail. The Mama Bear Chair is 24 inches wide between the armrests and can carry up to 350 pounds; while the Baby Bear Chair is 18 inches wide between the armrests and can carry up to 300 pounds. The newest track chair, The Platte Bear Chair, is 22 inches wide between the armrests and can carry up to 300 pounds. It can be used on the Platte Plains Trail.
Reservations are required to borrow the Sleeping Bear Dunes track chairs, and they are available Friday through Monday, during the summer season. A waiver of liability must also be signed. Minors are required to be accompanied by an adult. Track chair-users must be able to transfer independently or bring a companion to assist with transfers. After a short orientation a volunteer host will accompany the track chair-user on a hike.
Generally speaking, caves are not usually a great recreational choice for wheelchair users-and slow walkers. That said, there are a few exceptions. And in that respect Mammoth Cave National Park tops the list. Not only do wheelchair-users and slow walkers have their choice of several accessible trails above ground; but thanks to some recent repairs and renovations, they can also explore the subterranean chambers of this Southwestern Kentucky national park.
A Wheelchair-Accessible Mammoth Cave Tour
Elevator to the accessible Mammoth Cave tour
Mammoth Cave has something that most caves lack — an elevator. Unfortunately it was out of service for several years; but after a massive $2.2 million repair project, it’s once again operational. And after the repairs were completed, an Accessible Cave Tour was added to the roster.
This two-hour tour begins at the visitor center, where participants then drive their own vehicles to the elevator on Cave City Road. There’s accessible parking in the lot, and barrier-free access over to the elevator. The tour of this gypsum cave travels over level cement pathways and visits the Snowball Room, and includes portions of Cleveland Avenue. This accessible tour is an extremely manageable half-mile in length, and it can also accommodate large power wheelchairs and scooters. Additionally, there are benches along the way for slow walkers who need to take a break.
Tickets for the Accessible Cave Tour can be purchased at recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777. They are available up to six months in advance, and it ‘s best to purchase them as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Some walk-up tickets may be available; however due to the popularity of the tour that’s not always the case. For more information about the Accessible Cave Tours, contact the visitor center at (270) 758-2180.
Accessible River and Forest Trails
The Heritage Trail at Mammoth Cave National Park
There are also a number of trails to include on a wheelchair-accessible Mammoth Cave itinerary. The Heritage Trail, which begins near the visitor center, tops the list. This three-quarter-mile trail starts off as a wide level path, before it transitions to a boardwalk that loops through the forest. There are several scenic stops along the way, including Sunset Point, which offers a panoramic view of the rolling hills of the Green River drainage basin.
There’s also a short 300-foot trail out to the Old Guides Cemetery from the Heritage Trail. The level trail leads over to a abandoned graveyard, where Stephen Bishop — a guide who died in 1857 — was laid to rest. Even if you can’t do the entire trail, it’s still a pleasant stroll, and there are plenty of benches to stop and take a break and enjoy the view along the way.
Echo River Spring Trail at Mammoth Cave National Park
The Echo River Spring Trail is also a good choice for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. The trailhead is located a short drive from the visitor center, in the Green River Ferry parking lot. Accessible parking is available near the trailhead, and there’s also an accessible porta-potty and an accessible picnic table nearby. This .6-mile trail begins as a wide cement walkway, before it transitions to a short boardwalk through the forest. Along the way it passes Echo River Spring, before it loops back to the parking lot. It’s a pleasant stroll, and there are several overlooks with benches to sit back and enjoy the peaceful forest.
More Wheelchair-Accessible Trails!
Sloan’s Crossing Pond Walk at Mammoth Cave National Park
Another couple of wheelchair-accessible trails are located a little further from the visitor center. At the top of that list is Sloan’s Crossing Pond Walk. From the visitor center follow Mammoth Cave Parkway for about three miles, and look for the trailhead on the right, just past Brownsville Road.
This .4-mile boardwalk that circles the shaded pond was completely renovated in 2023. It’s wide and level, and dotted with accessible viewing platforms, benches and interpretive plaques. Even if you can’t do the whole trail, there’s an excellent pond view from the first overlook, which is just steps from the parking area. As an added bonus there’s also an accessible picnic area there.
Last but certainly not least on our wheelchair-accessible Mammoth Cave National Park itinerary, is a stop at the Sand Cave Trail. Located near southeast park entrance, this short trail makes a good stop if you are heading towards Cave City. The .1-mile boardwalk winds through the forest and features low bumpers which open up the views for wheelchair-users. The trail terminates at an overlook, which has a view of the Sand Cave rescue site.
Floyd Collins, who was an avid cave explorer, was trapped at that site for 17 days in 1925. Unfortunately rescuers were not able to reach Collins before he succumbed from exposure. His body was later removed and interred near his family’s Crystal Cave home. Today the story of his life and death is detailed at the wayside exhibit near the Sand Cave Trail. Although it’s a sad — and somewhat gruesome — tale, the trail actually offers a pleasant stroll; and it’s a great way to top off a Mammoth Cave visit.
Barrier-Free Travel National Park Lodges for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
Located about 240 miles north of Anchorage and 120 miles south of Fairbanks, Denali National Park (www.nps.gov/dena/index.htm) is one of the crown jewels of the 49th State. One of Alaska’s eight national parks, Denali occupies just over six million acres of wild land bisected by a seasonal road. And if all that sounds a bit rugged for your taste, rest assured it is possible to plan a wheelchair-accessible Denali visit. Granted, scaling the 20,310 namesake mountain may not be on your to-do list; however the park also offers a nice selection of wheelchair-accessible trails, attractions and tours suitable for non-mountaineering visitors.
Getting There
A top concern about a wheelchair-accessible Denali National Park visit is actually getting to the park. Although there’s no airport there, Denali is easily accessible by rail and car. The peak visit time is from late May through early September, but that’s primarily because of the train schedules and the unpredictable weather. Still if you have a vehicle, and a bit of a sense of adventure, late spring and fall can also be beautiful times to enjoy Mother Nature’s majesty in Denali.
Alaska Railroad
Daily train service is available from Anchorage and Fairbanks on Alaska Railroad’s (www.alaskarailroad.com) Denali Star during the summer months. The northbound train departs from Anchorage, and takes three hours to get to Denali. It stops in Wasilla and Talkeetna along the way. The southbound Fairbanks to Denali nonstop route takes four hours to get to Denali. And the good news is, all the stations include lift boarding, and the GoldStar Dome Cars feature elevator access, accessible seating and accessible lavatories downstairs. Additionally, most of the major cruise lines also offer cruise tour packages that include a Denali stop, on their own accessible railcars.
If you’d prefer to drive, accessible rental vans are available in Anchorage from Alaska Mobility (www.alaskamobility.com). After you pick up your van, just hop on The George Parks Highway (Highway 3). Also designated as a National Scenic Byway, this well traveled route runs between Fairbanks and Anchorage, and offers access to the park. The drive on this well maintained paved road is doable in a day from Anchorage; but plan for extra time as there’s no shortage of viewpoints and roadside stops along the way. And for information on places to stop en route, visit themilepost.com, an excellent Alaska road trip resource.
Wheelchair-Accessible Denali Shuttles
Accessible shuttle bus
Another wheelchair-accessible Denali feature is the free accessible shuttle bus system. After the winter snow is cleared in late spring, the road into Denali National Park is open to private vehicles to the Savage River area. Transportation further into the park is only available from concessionaires, and it’s largely dependent on road conditions.
That said, the free shuttle bus system operates in the Riley River area near the park entrance, and in the Savage River area 15 miles down the road. And all of the shuttle buses and shuttle bus stops wheelchair-accessible. The Savage River Loop and the Riley Creek Loop shuttles run all day and stop at a number of trails and attractions along the way. The Sled Dog Demonstration Shuttle, which runs from the Denali Visitor Center to the sled dog kennels, departs 40 minutes prior to the demonstrations, and returns shortly after they are completed.
The shuttle bus schedule is available at www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/courtesy-shuttle-buses.htm, and it’s also posted at all the shuttle stops. Printed schedules are not available in the park, and cell phone service is limited, so it’s best to save a screen shot of the schedule for planning purposes.
Riley Creek Hikes
McKinley Station Trail
If you’d like to try a hike in the Riley Creek area, then hop on the shuttle, get off at the Riley Creek Campground and explore the McKinley Station Trail. This 1.6-mile hard-packed dirt trail runs from the campground to the visitor center. Although it’s not completely level, it offers an undulating — and accessible — route through the forest. There are also a few accessible boardwalk sections along the way. Be forewarned though — there’s a short cut to the visitor center about half-way along the route, but it goes straight uphill. Stick to the original trail for a gradual accessible path to the visitor center.
If you’d prefer a shorter walk, check out the Spruce Forest Loop, which is located right behind the visitor center. This .15-mile trail meanders through the forest, and offers visitors a good introduction to the vegetation and wildlife found in the park. It’s also very convenient, as you can just take the shuttle to the visitor center and hop on the trail from there.
Sled Dog Demonstration
Sled dog demonstration
The Sled Dog Demonstration is another wheelchair-accessible Denali must-do. Although accessible shuttle service is available from the visitor center, you can also drive over to the kennels. There’s plenty of accessible parking available at the kennels; however it’s a longer jaunt from the parking lot than it is from the bus stop, so slow walkers might want to opt for the shuttle. It should also be noted that the Roadside Trail that runs from the visitor center to the kennels has a steep grade and numerous obstructions, and it’s definitely not an accessible option to get to the kennels.
The sled dog demonstration is fun to watch, as the team is hitched to a wheeled sled that speeds around a dirt track. Accessible seating for wheelchair-users and slow walkers is available in the front, so everyone is guaranteed a good view. A ranger is on hand to answer questions about the sled dogs — which are still used in the winter in the park — and folks can walk though the sled shed and around the kennels after the demonstration. Best of all, there’s no charge for this educational demonstration.
Savage River Hikes
Mountain Vista Trail
Last but not least, save some time to explore the Savage River area of the park, which offers a few accessible trails, and some great scenery. The shuttle stops at the Mountain Vista and Savage trailheads; and if Mount Denali is “out” (not obscured by cloud cover), you’ll get a great view from several vantage points along the way.
The Mountain Vista Trail is the most accessible trail in the area. This .6-mile hard-packed dirt trail begins near the shuttle stop, behind the accessible vault toilets and picnic shelter. It winds through the tundra, and offers several impressive views of the Alaska Range along the way. And you never know what wildlife you’ll run across, so keep your ryes peeled. Pack along a picnic lunch and enjoy it at one of the accessible tables at the picnic shelter, while you wait for the shuttle to Savage River.
Savage Cabin Trail
The shorter Savage Cabin Loop begins just to the left of the Savage River Campground shuttle bus stop, near the accessible vault toilet. The .3-mile loop is fairly level — with a few undulations — and is covered in compacted gravel. Midway along the route, you’ll find a historic cabin that was constructed by the Alaska Road Commission in 1924. It was originally used as a ranger cabin, but today it’s an interpretive site. Although the cabin isn’t accessible, you can still get a good glance at the inside from the doorway. And the docent programs are usually presented outside, in an accessible space. Even if there aren’t any docents at the cabin it still make a nice stop on this short jaunt.
Wheelchair-Accessible Denali Lodging Resource
Lobby at the Denali Princess near Denali National Park
Of course, the final piece of the access puzzle in Denali National Park is lodging. There are no hotels or lodges in the park, but the campground has accessible spaces, and there are a number of accessible lodging choices nearby. Visit emerginghorizons.com/wheelchair-accessible-denali-lodging-options for more information.
Barrier-Free Travel Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks for Wheelchair-Users and Slow Walkers
At first glance it appears that Northern California’s coastal redwoods are out of reach for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. After all, these majestic giants are located in some pretty remote areas. Granted, many redwood groves present some formidable access barriers; however these three coastal stands offer a nice selection of accessible trails, picnic areas and even camping cabins. So check out these wheelchair-accessible coastal redwoods on your next California road trip
Redwood National Park
Lost Man Creek trail in Redwood National Park
Located about 320 miles north of San Francisco, Redwood National Park (emerginghorizons.com/redwood-national-and-state-parks/) tops the list of the Golden State’s wheelchair-accessible coastal redwoods. Although the drive through the park offers some stunning windshield views, the Lost Man Creek Trail is definitely worth a stop. The trail is easy to find — just follow Highway 101 north for about five miles from Orick, and turn on Lost Man Creek Road. The trailhead is about a mile down the road.
There’s accessible parking near the trailhead, next to an accessible vault toilet, with level access over to the trail. This former logging road is wide, level and free of obstacles for the first half-mile. After that the grade becomes steeper and there are rocks and other obstacles along the way, until the last bastions of access are obliterated at the ¾-mile point. Still, it makes a lovely out-and-back one-mile hike.
Additionally, there’s an accessible picnic table on a level dirt pad near the trailhead, so bring along a lunch and enjoy your repast in the shaded grove. It’s the ideal way to top off this very accessible hike.
Trees of Mystery
Paul Bunyan and Babe the Ox at the Trees of Mystery
The Trees of Mystery (www.treesofmystery.net) is another fun stop on Highway 101. It’s located about 25 miles north of the Lost Man Creek Trail, up in Klamath. You can’t miss it, as a giant statue of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Ox mark the site of the kitschy yet cool roadside attraction.
There’s plenty of accessible parking in the large lot, and barrier-free access over to the gift shop and ticket booth. The main attraction at this site is the Sky Trail, an aerial tramway which takes visitors on a scenic journey through the tree tops. There is a .8-mile trail that leads from the parking lot to the upper Sky Trail station; however it has a steep grade and a substantial cross slope in a few places, so it’s not a good option for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. Alternatively, accessible transportation in a lift-equipped vehicle to the upper Sky Trail station is available for anyone who can’t manage the trail.
There’s ramped access up to the upper Sky Trail station, with roll-on access and plenty of room for a wheelchair in the individual gondola cars. Be sure and stop for a view from the adjacent observation deck before you board though, as the bird’s eye view is magnificent. From the upper Sky Trail station, it’s a seven-minute 1570-foot descent back down to the lower station. And when you get there, treat yourself to some fudge or ice cream, and take time to browse through the gift shop. It’s a fun stop and definitely a unique way to experience the coastal redwoods.
Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State Park
The Simpson-Reed-Trail at Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State Park
Last but not least on the list of wheelchair-accessible coastal redwoods is Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State Park (www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=413). This Northern California state park is located about 20 minutes north of Klamath along scenic Highway 199, near Crescent City.
One of the highlights of this park is the accessible Simpson-Reed Discovery Trail, which can be found near the end of Walker Road, off of the main highway. Accessible parking is located next to the accessible vault toilet, near the trailhead. This one-mile loop, passes a number of fallen giants as it weaves through the forest and along the Smith River. It’s a very pleasant — and accessible — stroll.
And if you’d like to spend the night in the park, there are four accessible camping cabins in the campground. Cabins 24, 26, 30 and 105 feature accessible parking with ramp access up to the front porch. They are each furnished with two bunk beds, with a single on top and a double on the bottom. Other cabin features include, electricity, lights, a heater, a raised grill and an accessible picnic table.
Guests need to bring their own bedding, and an air mattress or mattress pad is also recommended. There’s no water in the cabins, but an accessible showerhouse with a roll-in shower is located nearby. It’s a beautiful campground, and the perfect place to top off a visit to California’s wheelchair-accessible coastal redwoods.
Barrier-Free Travel California National Park Road Trips for Wheelchair-Users and Slow Walkers
is now available. And I’m happy to report that there’s been improved access in — and around — all three parks.
The second edition includes updated information on:
Accessible trails and attractions
Access upgrades, details and photos of all in-park lodges
Accessible lodging options in gateway communities
Barrier-free campgrounds
Accessible bus, snowcoach and boat tours
Accessible shuttles to and around the parks
Insider access tips
Fly-drive suggestions with accessible rental vehicle resources
National park discounted pass information
This national park access guide was a challenging title for me, as of course Charles and I made numerous treks to all three parks (which we always do); but this time we also had to work our travels around our roles as owner/builders while finishing the construction of our new home. To say that it was delicate balancing act is a huge understatement. And although I wrote a good deal of the book at a picnic table on-site while supervising the construction, I’m pleased to announce that we are now finally settled in our new abode. The other good news is now we are even closer to Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, so it will be easier to update future changes.
Access Improvements Galore!
There are of course a lot of changes since the first edition of this national park access guide, but they are good changes. For example Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel renovated their main lodge rooms, and they now have five accessible guest rooms, including three with roll-in showers. And outside the Parks, the new William Bridger Cabins and Glacier Cabin Village both have nice accessible units with roll-in showers.
The in-park concessionaires are doing a great job too, from Xanterra’s accessible Glacier Red Bus Tours to the accessible boat tours down in Grand Teton offered by Jenny Lake Boating. Access is really improving thanks to their efforts.
So grab a copy of my new edition and plan an accessible road trip this year. And don’t forget to get your required entrance permit for Glacier National Park. Plan ahead to avoid disappointment!
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.
America’s first national park spans nearly 3,500 square-miles, the bulk of which occupies the northwestern corner of Wyoming. Known for its geothermal wonders the park is a filled with gurgling geysers, bubbling mudpots and hidden hot springs. But Yellowstone is much more than geysers, as it also features dramatic canyons, lush forests, and fertile valleys that are home to bears, wolves, elk, antelope and an extremely healthy bison population. And with a handful of western highways leading to the park, there’s plenty of opportunity to explore this diverse ecosystem.
Insider Tips
Although there’s accessible parking near the Brink of the Upper Falls Viewpoint in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, the viewpoint itself is not accessible due to stairs and a steep grade. That said, you can get a better – and quieter — view if you continue along the North Rim Trail, past the left turnoff to the brink. And if you’d like a short hike through the woods that crosses Canyon Bridge and offers excellent views of the Yellowstone River and the Chittenden Bridge, then just continue along this accessible trail for another half-mile.
For a break from the congested traffic along the road to Old Faithful, take a short detour along Firehole Lake Drive. This one-way loop begins about a mile south of Fountain Paint Pot, and features accessible stops at Firehole Spring, Giant Fountain Geyser and Firehole Lake. As an added bonus, this route is pleasantly devoid of the bus loads of tourists that frequent the other area attractions, as larger vehicles are prohibited on this road.
If you’d like to overnight in the park in an accessible room with a great view, then choose room 202 at the Yellowstone Lake Hotel. This corner room, which features a bird’s eye view of Yellowstone Lake, is furnished with a 25-inch high king-sized bed and is equipped with an accessible tub/shower combination.
Jointly managed by the National Park Service and California State Parks, this park includes the original federal land plus three Northern California State Parks. The federal area — Redwood National Park — is located southeast of the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center in Orick. The California additions include Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. They are located along Highway 101 between Orick and the Oregon border. Highlights of this 131,983-acre preserve include several stands of ancient coastal redwoods, prairies dotted with Roosevelt Elk and 40 miles of scenic coastal drives. As an added bonus, there’s no admission charge or day-use fee for this park.
Insider Tips
Although there’s certainly no shortage of majestic redwoods along Newton B. Drury Parkway in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, make sure and stop at the nicely accessible Big Tree Wayside. Going south on the parkway it’s on the left and marked simply as “Big Tree”, and going north it’s not marked at all, but it’s the first turn on the right after Cal Barrel Road. From the accessible parking area it’s a short 100-yard walk on a paved level path to this 304-foot giant. And there’s even ramp access up to the tree.
Hop off of Highway 101 just south of Crescent City and enjoy a scenic drive along Enderts Beach Road. This winding route is lined with redwoods and offers a coastal view every now and then. It’s just a five minute drive to the end of the road, where there’s an accessible ocean overlook. Try and hit this short detour in the afternoon though, as the thick coastal fog hangs over the area in the mornings.
Spend the night in a redwood forest in one of four accessible cabins in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. Each cabin can each sleep six, with two bunk beds with a single bunk on the top and a double bunk on the bottom. Other cabin features include a small counter, electricity, lights and a heater. There’s also a raised grill, an accessible picnic table and a bear box in a level area outside each of the cabins. And the accessible showerhouse near the visitor center is equipped with a spacious roll-in shower.
Nicknamed the “American Alps”, North Cascades National Park is one of the most rugged and remote national parks in the US. Filled with black bear, mountain goats and bald eagles, the park is also home to a historic hydroelectric dam. That said you just can’t beat the scenery in this northwestern gem, which ranges from jagged mountain peaks, evergreen forests and alpine meadows, to crystal-clear lakes and a collection of formidable glaciers.
Insider Tips
Don’t miss the Gorge Creek Falls Overlook, located along State Route 20, halfway between Newhalem and the Colonial Creek Campground. This unusual overlook features two grated footbridges that are located on each side of the highway, where visitors can look down and get a bird’s eye view of Gorge Creek Falls. Best of all, they are both wheelchair-accessible.
The Happy Creek Forest Walk is a nice accessible trail, although it’s easy to miss the poorly marked turnoff. Start looking for it on the right as you head east on State Route 20, just past milepost 134; and don’t feel bad if you have to make a U-turn up the road and double back. There’s level access over to the .3-mile hard-packed dirt and boardwalk trail that meanders through the fir, cedar and hemlock forest, before it crosses over the cascading waters and loops back to the trailhead. This old growth forest is also a great place to escape the midday heat when the mercury rises.
Located across from the Skagit Visitor Information Center in Newhalem, the Skagit General Store makes an interesting stop. The building dates back to 1922, when the store was established as an employee commissary for the workers on the Skagit Hydroelectric Project. Today it offers a good variety of general grocery items, snacks, sandwiches and delicious homemade Skagit fudge. It’s also the only place along the State Route 20 section of the park that offers anything to eat.
Located 100 miles southeast of Seattle, Mount Rainier National Park is situated in one of the most rugged areas of Washington state. At 14,410 feet, the namesake mountain towers over the park; and not only is this active volcano the most glaciated peak in the contiguous US, but it’s also a popular climb, with over 10,000 attempts each year. That said, you can certainly enjoy the park without attempting the summit, as there are also several developed areas that offer accessible trails, museums, campsites and overnight lodging.
Insider Tips
Be sure and stop at Christine Falls, which is located just past Longmire on the left side of the road. It’s easy to miss, and if you take time to admire it from the road, you’ll drive right by the pullout on the right side, which offers the best view of the falls. Unfortunately there are only stairs down to the lower viewing area, but you can still get a nice view of the top part of the 40-foot high waterfall from the 1928 masonry bridge near the pullout.
The most accessible trail in the park – the Kautz Creek Trail – is located across the street from the Kautz Creek Picnic Area. This level boardwalk trail winds through a section of the forest which was devastated by a 1947 glacier generated debris flow, and leads out to an overlook that offers an excellent view of Mount Rainier.
A timed entry reservation is required for visits to the Paradise Corridor and the Sunrise Corridor of the park, during the peak summer season. Reservations are released 90 days in advance and are available a www.recreation.gov. Plan ahead, because entry reservations are not available at the park; and if you don’t have one you won’t be admitted. And remember, even if you have a national park pass, you still need an entry permit.
Thanks to Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes, the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore offers three loaner track chairs for use by wheelchair-users and slow walkers. The Mama Bear Chair and the Baby Bear Chair can be used on the Bay View Trail. The Mama Bear Chair is 24 inches wide between the armrests and can carry up to 350 pounds; while the Baby Bear Chair is 18 inches wide between the armrests and can carry up to 300 pounds. The newest track chair, The Platte Bear Chair, is 22 inches wide between the armrests and can carry up to 300 pounds. It can be used on the Platte Plains Trail.
I’m thrilled to announce that my newest national park access guide was just released. The second edition of Barrier-Free Travel; Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks for Wheelchair-Users and Slow Walkers (
