Everyone deserves the opportunity to experience America’s breathtaking national parks. While not every trail or attraction is accessible, the National Park Service has made incredible progress over the past decade in making parks more welcoming for visitors with disabilities.
Today, many parks offer paved trails, accessible overlooks, scenic drives, wheelchair-friendly boardwalks, adaptive programs, accessible lodging, and shuttle systems that allow visitors to experience some of the country’s most spectacular landscapes without tackling difficult terrain. From watching Old Faithful erupt in Yellowstone to taking in breathtaking canyon views at the Grand Canyon, there are countless ways to experience these iconic landscapes without tackling difficult backcountry trails.
In this guide, you’ll discover some of the most accessible national parks in the United States, along with wheelchair-friendly attractions, scenic drives, accessible viewpoints, and helpful planning tips to make your visit as enjoyable as possible. Whether you use a wheelchair, walker, mobility scooter, or simply prefer destinations with easy walking paths, these accessible national parks prove that outdoor adventure truly is for everyone.
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Save Money with America the Beautiful Access Pass
If you have a permanent disability, you may qualify for the America the Beautiful Access Pass, which provides free lifetime admission to National Park Service sites and many other federally managed recreation areas.
The pass may also provide discounts on camping, boat launches, swimming areas, and certain guided tours. In some parks there is separate access points with the pass.
To qualify, applicants must have a permanent physical, mental, or sensory disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Learn more on the NPS website.
Before visiting any park, check its Accessibility page for that particular park on the National Park Service website. Every park offers different accessible facilities, programs, and services.
12 Accessible National Parks Worth Visiting
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana & Idaho
Yellowstone isn’t just America’s first national park; it’s also one of its most accessible. Visitors can experience erupting geysers, colorful hot springs, waterfalls, wildlife, and scenic drives with relatively little walking.
Many visitor centers, campgrounds, lodges, and restrooms are ADA accessible, while paved boardwalks make it easy to explore the park’s famous geothermal features. Wheelchair rentals are also available in several areas.
Accessibility Highlights:
-Old Faithful viewing area
-Fountain Paint Pot Boardwalk
-Artist Point Overlook
-Hayden Valley Scenic Drive
There are accessible campsites throughout the park.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Towering mountains reflected in crystal-clear lakes make Grand Teton one of America’s most scenic parks and one of its most accessible.
Accessible visitor centers, lodging, campgrounds, and paved trails allow visitors to experience the Tetons without venturing deep into the backcountry.
Don’t Miss:
-Jenny Lake Shore Trail
-Colter Bay Headwall
-Jackson Lake Dam Overlook
-Menors Ferry Historic District
Pro Tip: Always carry water with you even in cooler climates. While you tour the National Parks bring this National Park water bottle with you and fill in the parks you visit.
Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia combines rugged Atlantic coastline, granite cliffs, forests, and mountain views with some of the best accessibility features in the National Park System.
The free Island Explorer shuttle is fully wheelchair accessible and connects visitors to many of the park’s most popular destinations.
Accessibility Highlights:
-Ocean Path
-Jordan Pond Scenic Loop
-Sand Beach
-Accessible Carriage Roads
Yosemite National Park, California
Few places in America rival Yosemite’s dramatic scenery, and thankfully many of its iconic sights are accessible.
Yosemite Valley features paved pathways, accessible restrooms, electric scooter charging stations, and a free accessible shuttle connecting major attractions.
Best Accessible Experiences:
-Lower Yosemite Falls Trail
-Cooks Meadow Loop
-Mirror Lake Trail (first mile)
-Yosemite Valley Shuttle
Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
You don’t have to miss out on exploring the world’s longest cave system. Everyone is welcome here.
Mammoth Cave offers accessible cave tours designed specifically for visitors using wheelchairs and mobility devices. The route includes no stairs and provides benches throughout the tour.
Accessibility Highlights:
-Heritage Trail
-Echo River Spring Trail
-Sand Cave Trail
-Sloan’s Crossing Pond Trail
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Although much of the Grand Canyon is steep and rugged, the South Rim offers excellent accessibility. Shuttle buses are wheelchair accessible for great park access.
Wide paved paths follow the canyon rim, allowing visitors to enjoy breathtaking panoramic views without navigating rough trails.
Don’t Miss:
-Rim Trail
-Yavapai Geology Museum
-El Tovar Hotel
-Yavapai Lodge
Grand Canyon National Park offers a unique Scenic Drive Accessibility Permit that gives visitors with mobility issues access to some areas of the park that are closed to public traffic. The permit is available at entrance gates and visitor center.
Pro Tip: Take digital binoculars with camera with you to get great pictures from the overviews.
Gulf Islands National Seashore, Florida & Mississippi
Looking for an accessible beach vacation?
Gulf Islands National Seashore offers white-sand beaches, accessible boardwalks, floating beach wheelchairs, and paved historic sites.
Accessibility Highlights:
-Beach wheelchairs
-Accessible beach boardwalks
-Fort Pickens
-Accessible picnic areas
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Alpine lakes, towering peaks, and incredible mountain scenery are surprisingly accessible here. All shuttle buses are wheelchair accessible.
Several scenic trails and overlooks allow visitors to enjoy the Rockies close to parking areas. Rocky Mountain now offers an all-terrain wheelchair which can make it easier to navigate rocky trails, snow covered paths or dirt roads while exploring the park
Best Accessible Experiences:
-Sprague Lake Trail
-Bear Lake Trail
-Trail Ridge Road
-Accessible visitor centers
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
Experience lava fields, volcanic craters, rainforests, and ocean views with excellent accessibility.
Several of the park’s top attractions are connected by paved roads and accessible viewing areas.
Accessibility Highlights:
-Crater Rim Drive
-Steam Vents Trail
-Chain of Craters Road
-KÄ«lauea Visitor Center
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Bryce Canyon’s colorful hoodoos are among the most unique landscapes in America, and many of the best views require very little walking.
Most scenic overlooks include accessible parking, paved paths, ramps, and shuttle service.
Don’t Miss:
-Scenic Drive
-Sunset Point
-Swamp Canyon
-Accessible shuttle
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
In what feels like the middle of nowhere, Badlands begins with grasslands and prairies and rises to a rocky ridge filled with sharp spires, eroded buttes, and towering pinnacles. And Badlands is one of the easiest parks to experience primarily from your vehicle.
The scenic Badlands Loop Road passes incredible overlooks, many connected by short accessible paths.
Accessibility Highlights
-Badlands Loop Scenic Byway
-Fossil Exhibit Trail
-Window Trail
-Ben Reifel Visitor Center Exhibit
Death Valley National Park, California
Despite its extreme environment, many of Death Valley’s most famous attractions are surprisingly accessible.
Most major viewpoints are located just steps from accessible parking areas.
Best Accessible Experiences:
-Badwater Basin Boardwalk
-Artist’s Drive
-Zabriskie Point
-Scenic viewpoints throughout the park
Tips for Visiting Accessible National Parks
Planning ahead will make your visit much more enjoyable.
Check each park’s Accessibility page before your trip.
Reserve accessible lodging and campsites early.
Download accessibility maps before arriving.
Bring extra batteries or chargers for powered mobility devices.
Ask about adaptive equipment or beach wheelchairs if available.
Visit during weekdays to avoid crowds.
Confirm seasonal road and shuttle schedules before traveling.
Final Thoughts
America’s national parks belong to everyone, and each year they become more accessible to visitors of all abilities. Whether you want to watch Old Faithful erupt, admire the towering granite cliffs of Yosemite, enjoy the colorful hoodoos of Bryce Canyon, or experience the breathtaking views along the Grand Canyon’s South Rim, there are countless ways to enjoy these incredible places without tackling difficult hikes.
With a little planning and the help of the America the Beautiful Access Pass, exploring the outdoors has never been easier. Before you go, check each park’s accessibility information, reserve accommodations early, and plan around the accessible trails, scenic drives, and overlooks that best match your needs.
No matter your mobility level, unforgettable adventures are waiting in America’s national parks.
We love to share tips and information we learn along the way to help you plan your next vacation. We hope to inspire you to find your adventures, have lots of fun and make many memories.