Being able to enjoy the beauty and serenity of the national parks is something the National Park Service takes seriously. One of the best ways to see such beauty is to enjoy a scenic drive, and for those who are disabled, it is the perfect and convenient way to see so much.
All over the country there are countless of scenic drives to enjoy, many of which have unbelievable views. And the Park Service has worked, and is continuing, to make sure the views are accessible to disabled visitors. Check out the following scenic routes and vistas that are accessible to those with disabilities.
Arizona
© Wolfgang Staudt via Flickr
Grand Canyon National Park: Hermit Road offers 8 miles of beauty with numerous pullouts for viewing. The Bridle Trail also offers hard-surfaced trails from Lodge to North Kaibab Trailhead. Be sure to download a PDF that showcases all of the facilities and services offered to those with disabilities.
California
© the tahoe guy via Flickr
Yosemite National Park: This park is one of the top picks for disabled visitors. [link to Top National Parks for Disabled Visitors] You have your choice of guided tours, sightseeing by car, or shuttles (all accessible) to help you make the most of your time in the park. Yosemite Vallley and Tuolumne Grove are the best places to drive or take a shuttle to see the sites.
Colorado
© TheNose via Flickr
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park: The following overlooks are accessible and showcase quite a view: Tomichi Point Overlook, Chasm View Overlook, Sunset View Overlook, and Balanced Rock Overlook.
Colorado National Monument: Don’t miss these vistas: Historic Trail Overlook, Independence Overlook, Book Cliffs View Roadside Area, and Cold Shivers Point Overlook are all accessible.
Rocky Mountain National Park: This park offers many amenities and services to the disabled. But if you don’t have much time for sight-seeing, be sure to check out Many Parks Curve Overlook, Rainbow Curve Overlook, and Forest Canyon Overlook, which are accessible.
District of Columbia/Maryland/West Virginia
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park: Besides scenic driving, visit the boardwalk and overlook at Great Falls for incredible views of the falls’ drop into the Potomac.
Hawaii
© eye of einstein via Flickr
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Gas up the car and drive along Crater Rim Drive and Chain of Craters Road for spectacular panoramic views of the park.
Indiana
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore: Lakefront Drive is one of a few shoreline roads where you can see Lake Michigan as it parallels the lake for 2 miles. Also check out Lake View Plaza - a paved plaza overlooking Lake Michigan - which includes picnic tables, shelters and restrooms.
While driving around check out these accessible overlooks: Inland Marsh Overlook, which as a boardwalk that leads across 2 dune ridges and through a forest to overlook an inter-dunal wetlands. Dunbar Parking Overlook is another option to overlook the shoreline dunes, the beach and Lake Michigan.
Maine
© Lauren Himiak
Acadia National Park: The park offers a 27-mile loop that explores the mountains and rock-bound coast of the park. It’s a stunning drive. Also don’t miss one of the most accessible sites, Thunder Hole. Park in the right-hand lane of Park Loop Road or in the upper parking lot near the restrooms and gift shop. You can take the ramp across from the restrooms to the viewing area of Thunder Hole.
Michigan
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore: Take a self-guided spin along Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive for 7.4 miles and view spectacular overlooks of the Glen Lakes, the Sleeping Bear Dunes, and Lake Michigan. Visitors may also enjoy an auto tour which provides history of the area and a sampling of the vegetative communities found within the park. Wheelchair accessible overlooks may also be found along the drive.
Montana
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area: At Devil Canyon Overlook, a short wheelchair accessible trail was recently put down to allow better access to the views of the canyon.
Utah
© TeecNosPos via Flickr
Arches National Park: You can pretty much drive up to many of the sites, and most of the arches are so large you will have no trouble seeing them from the car. The Park Avenue and Delicate Arch viewpoints are good places to check out that are accessible.
Washington
Olympic National Park: be sure to drive from the Port Angeles Visitor Center to Hurricane Ridge. This scenic drive is a steep one that curves through forests, peaks, and meadows. At the Visitor Center at Hurricane Ridge, you can take in amazing views over the heart of the peninsula and across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. And if you drive through during spring or summer, expect to see tons of wildflowers!
Wyoming
© Savannah Grandfather via Flickr
Yellowstone National Park: On the South Rim Drive, Artist Point offers a view of the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River while Uncle Tom's Overlook offers a view of the Upper Falls. With assistance, visitors can enjoy views of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone from the Grandview Overlook. Also, a big portion of the Mammoth Hot Spring Terraces can be seen from your car if you drive along the main road and the Terrace Loop Drive.
