When the winter wraps up its chilly shenanigans, and spring starts showering the earth with its floral cheers, it’s the perfect time to visit the accessible national parks across the US. Since there are 63 glorious parks, you’ll see towering redwoods, dramatic cliffs, and some chipmunks that will definitely steal your snacks.
While some of these national parks might be difficult to navigate, most feature well-paved paths, adaptive trails, wheelchair-accessible viewing points, and plenty of seating space to catch your breath. It’s important to note that many individuals with disabilities can get an access pass for free admission to any of the parks and up to 50% discount on camping fees.
Top Wheelchair-accessible National Parks for Winter and Spring Getaways
Below are some of the best wheelchair-accessible national parks for your winter and spring getaway:
Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming, Montana, Idaho)
Located in three states, Wyoming, Montana, and Idoha, Yellowstone National Park is one of the biggest and most accessible parks in the USA. It spans over 2.2 million acres and has 1,000 hydrothermal features, including 500 geysers, such as the iconic Old Faithful. Mammoth Hot Springs features an accessible boardwalk that snakes through surreal, bubbly landscapes. You can also visit the 2.3-mile Geyser Hill Loop Trail, where you can see more geysers than you can count.
During winter, the park offers snowcoach tours, so nobody has to miss out on the adventure. As for spring, the park becomes a paradise for wildlife watchers to spot animals like bison, elk, and wolves. If you’re into fishing, Madison River has different accessible spots to catch a big one. Planning to sleep under the stars? With 12 accessible campgrounds scattered around the park, you will have the perfect setting for roasting marshmallows and telling ghost stories.
Yosemite National Park (California)
Yosemite National Park is the ultimate destination for nature lovers and thrill-seekers alike. This national park has over 800 miles of hiking trails, including Glacier Point, Tunnel View, and Wawona and Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.
If you’re visiting during winter, you can go for downhill skiing and snowboarding. In spring, the waterfalls in Yosemite absolutely come alive. You can check out the wheelchair-accessible Yosemite Fall, Bridalveil Fall, Nevada Fall, or Horsetail Fall to enjoy stunning views. Just to be clear, falling into the water doesn’t count as “becoming one with nature,” so you must be careful while crossing these areas. Yosemite Valley and Wawoma boast different picnic areas featuring accessible picnic tables with extended tops, wheelchair-friendly restrooms, and accessible grills.
Regarding accessibility, there is parking access on the southeast corner of Yosemite Village and Curry Village. You can park and then hop on the free shuttle bus, which is equipped with wheelchair lifts and tie-downs, making it easy to see all the sights.
Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)
If you’re into hiking, the Grand Canyon National Park should be on your list. This national park has 24 wheelchair-accessible trails, including the Time of Trail is a 1.3-mile trail that goes from Verkamp’s Visitor Center to the Yavapai Geology Museum.
The park is divided into North Rim and South Rim. While the North Rim is closed for winter, the South Rim provides barrier-free lookouts to check out postcard-worthy vistas. You can also go for mule rides, whitewater trips, or simply ride the Grand Canyon Railway.
Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)
Colorado might be famous for its delicious food and cowboy culture, but if you haven’t visited Rocky Mountain National Park, you’re missing out big time. This national park is known for scenic drives, which is best for those who don’t want to get out of their car. You can visit Bear Lake Road, Endovalley Road, and Trail Ridge Road to see towering pines, shimmering lakes, and majestic mountain peaks.
Beyond that, you can head to the Bear Lake Loop, Sprague Lake Trail, or Lily Lake Trail, which feature flat, paved paths that are easy on the legs and hard to beat in beauty. The Coyote Valley Trail is another accessible trail that offers a great mix of flora and fauna — perfect for spotting kingfishers and hawks. While these activities might be suitable for spring, the park also offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails with adaptive equipment available for rent during winter.
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Acadia National Park (Maine)
Known as the Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast, Acadia National Park will woo you with its awe-inspiring attractions. You can start your adventure at the Jesup Path and Hemlock Path Loop, which is a delightful 1.5-mile trek through a boggy, white birch forest. While it’s completely accessible, there’s only room for one wheelchair, so you should plan accordingly.
If you want to feel the salty breeze in your hair, the Ocean Path travels along the rugged coastline while offering jaw-dropping views of crashing waves, dramatic cliffs, and the Atlantic’s endless horizon. While there, you should also consider wheeling to Cadillac Mountain. As the tallest point on the eastern seaboard, it’s the best spot to catch the sunrise or take in the panoramic views.
Short on time? The Park Loop Road is a 27-mile scenic drive that snakes through forests, past rocky shores, and up to Cadillac Mountain. Accessible picnic grounds and campsites make it easy to turn your pit stops into mini-adventures. Pro tip: Echo Lake is a must. It has a forest-tucked path leading to the waterfront. Speaking of Echo Lake, they have an accessible chair with large inflatable tires to get close to the shore.
Zion National Park (Utah)
If you’re looking for a winter-spring getaway that’s easy to navigate and drop-dead gorgeous, Zion National Park is a must-visit location. This park features two accessible trails including Riverside Walk and the Pa’rus Trail. Since the former is currently closed due to ongoing repairs (as of winter 2025), you can visit the Pa’rus Trail, which is a 1.5-mile paved path that travels alongside the Virgin River, offering postcard-perfect views.
The Zion Human History Museum offers some context on the park’s cultural and natural history. There are reserved parking spaces and a ramp leading to the building, making it accessible for wheelchair users.
What’s adventuring without munching? The Grotto Picnic Area is perfect for lounging with your sandwiches while being surrounded by Zion’s rugged beauty. While most people love watching glowing orange cliffs, Zion’s dark skies are a stargazer’s paradise. Try not to get too starstruck!
Everglades National Park (Florida)
Spanning over 1.5 million acres, Everglades National Park features some absolutely stunning trails, each one offering a unique glimpse into this incredible ecosystem. You can visit the Gumbo Limbo Trail which takes you through a shady hardwood hammock, giving you a break from the Florida sun. Or check out the Pa-hay-okee Overlook to see the “River of Grass” during sunset. These trails are smooth and stable, so you can easily wheel around.
This park is also home to different rare and endangered species, including manatees, Florida panthers, and American crocodiles. While on-land activities are endless, Everglades marine water is perfect for casting a line for some fishing, paddling your way through calm waterways or catching glimpses of egrets, ibises, and the roseate spoonbill. If you want to spend nights under the stars, the Everglades has frontcountry and backcountry camping options; both are wheelchair-accessible.
Death Valley National Park (California & Nevada)
Since Death Valley National Park is one of the hottest and driest places in California and Nevada, it’s only fair to visit it during winter or spring when the temperature is quite pleasant. Here, Zabriskie Point and Dante’s View feature accessible overlooks to check out jaw-dropping vistas, golden hills, and jagged peaks that catch the light just right.
The Artist’s Palette offers a glimpse of Death Valley’s colorful volcanic past. On the other hand, the Badwater Basin is the literal lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level, where you can walk on a salt flat, stare out into infinity, and feel like you’re on another planet.
If hiking is your thing, Death Valley features easy trails for every skill level. Some favorites include Harmony Borax Works, Salt Creek Interpretive Trail, Badwater Salt Flat, Natural Bridge, and Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes.
Death Valley is classified at the highest (Gold Tier) level by the International Dark-Sky Association, so you might see stars, planets, and celestial wonders you didn’t even know existed. Top spots for stargazing include the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Harmony Borax Works, Badwater Basin, and Ubehebe Crater.
The park offers thousands of miles of paved and dirt roads, which are perfect for backcountry exploration. But beware – unpaved roads can be tricky and may require extra caution and a sturdy vehicle.
Enjoy An Accessible Vacation with Wheelchair Getaways
Whether you want to see snowy cliffs at Zion National Park or chase blooming flowers at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Wheelchair Getaways has you covered from coast to coast.
Our crash-tested wheelchair-accessible vehicles come equipped with ramps, tie-downs, hand controls, and spacious interiors, so you can comfortably check out all these accessible destinations and then some.
With our flexible rental plans, you can book your ride for a quick getaway, an extended adventure, or anything in between. While booking, don’t forget to check out our special seasonal deals and offers to save a few bucks. Contact us at (866) 224-1750 or fill out our online form to reserve your vehicle.