Arches

ACCESSIBLE NATIONAL PARKS AND RESORTS IN THE HEART OF AMERICA’S RED ROCK WONDERLAND

By Dave Jensen and Elysia Everett Burns

U.S. NATIONAL PARKS

are a source of awe-inspiring natural beauty, rich cultural heritage and rare wildlife. The dramatic red-earth formations of Utah’s Arches, Arizona’s Grand Canyon and Colorado’s famous ancestral Pueblo Cliff Dwellings hold particular sway in the collective imagination of the majesty of the U.S. Parks system. These protected areas offer unparalleled opportunities for outdoor recreation, education and personal reflection, making them a vital resource for people of all backgrounds and abilities.

John Muir famously inspired Teddy Roosevelt to start the National Park system by inviting him to visit him in Yosemite in 1903. Their shared love of nature helped Roosevelt see the need for government protection of natural resources. Making National Parks accessible to all not only provides equal opportunities for everyone to enjoy these magnificent landscapes but also fosters a greater appreciation and understanding of our natural world, promoting conservation and preservation for future generations.

Research suggests that up to a third of U.S. adults have some sort of access need due to a temporary or permanent disability or being a person of size or mature age. No one is average, so many individuals with disabilities will face significant barriers in accessing these natural wonders. The American Disabilities Association ensures that most national parks have accessible infrastructure as much as possible, but until recently looking up specifics required intense reconnaissance work in advance.

The new Friendly Like Me mobile app and web platform recently launched to place essential accessibility specifics at our fingertips. Now families and friends can quickly find personally relevant information on the accessibility of major national park landmarks and iconic vistas, and where to stay and recharge after a day of enjoying the great outdoors. With both “Overall Friendliness” and “Like Me” scores, Friendly Like Me is unique in that it honors how disability is very individual, and the national platform is quickly becoming a go-to resource for restaurants, hotels and resorts, state and federal parks, beaches and lakes!

In our exclusive guide to this magical region of the country, you may get inspired to take a long-awaited trip and bring loved ones who thought their travel days were behind them!

Learn more about accessibility at friendlylikeme.com

ARCHES NATIONAL PARK MOTAB, UTAH

You can explore much of Arches National Park and see many famous arches and rock formations via the paved scenic road. Some short accessible trails and viewpoints provide a closer view of the park, but the longer trails should be avoided by people with mobility concerns. Many areas are accessible and the park’s scenic drive passes many notable arches and rock formations that are visible from the road. All toilets in the park are wheelchair accessible, and the picnic areas near Balanced Rock, Panorama Point and Devils Garden have paved sections. Devils Garden campground has two accessible sites and the amphitheater has a paved walkway.

Comfort Suites Moab Near Arches National Park

The Comfort Suites Moab near Arches National PARK in Moab provides easy access to both Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. If you choose to book a room, you’ll enjoy spacious suites with cozy beds, flat-screen TVs, microwaves, coffee makers and refrigerators to make you feel more at home. Accessible room amenities, which vary by room type, include: Mobility Accessible. Accessible Tub. Free Accessible Parking, Accessible Ramps. Braille or Raised Signage and Braille Elevators. Assistive Listening Devices are available.

Arches Visitor Center

This Visitor Center is fully accessible, even to power chair users. The front door operates on a push-button opener, and the center has accessible parking, restrooms and water fountains. All bathrooms are wheelchair accessible. The visitor center desk is lowered, and the approach to the building is paved.

Visitors who are deaf or have hearing loss may request an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter for in-person, rangerled programs. To improve your chances of securing services in time for your visit, we recommend you submit your request at least 7 days in advance. Assistive listening devices are available, both with headphones and a neck loop for hearing aids with t-coils. These receivers work with all videos in the visitor center.

HOODOO MOAB, CURIO COLLECTION BY HILTON

The Hoodoo Moab by Hilton was designed with accessibility in mind. The business center, gym, parking, hotel restaurant and lowered portion of the concierge desk are wheelchair accessible. Accessible guest rooms are available for manual wheelchair users. Power chairs may be too wide for the guest room doorways, which are 32 inches wide. Accessible routes throughout the hotel include from the entrance to accessible rooms, business center, gym, spa, meeting rooms/ ballroom areas, and to at least one restaurant. Swimming pool is accessible and has a hoist for pool access. Accessible transportation with advance notice. Assistive listening devices for meetings upon request. Audible alarms. Audible alerts in elevators. Braille room numbers. Closed captioning on televisions or closed captioning decoders. Doorbell w/Audio/Strobe Alert.

Emergency Call Button on Phone. Lower or Adjustable Closet Rod. Lowered bed. Lowered peephole in door. Lowered shelf storage. Lowered sink. Phone Audio/Vibrate/Strobe. Raised toilet seat. Remote Control Curtains/Shades. Roll-in Shower. Service Animals are welcomed. TTY for guest use. Van-accessible parking in the selfparking facility. Vibrating fire alarm available. Visual alarms for hearing impaired in hallways. Wheelchair ramp for lobby/reception access.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Red rocks, pink cliffs and endless vistas! Situated along a high plateau at the top of the Grand Staircase, the park’s high elevations include numerous life communities, fantastic dark skies and geological wonders that defy description.

Most viewpoints for the park have accessible parking and ramps for visitors in wheelchairs. The visitor center is fully accessible with ramps and accessible bathrooms, a lowered information desk and a fully accessible auditorium.

Accessible restroom stalls are available at the visitor center, Bryce Canyon Lodge, the General Store, Loop A and the group site of Sunset Campground, Farview Point and Rainbow Point. Restrooms at Sunset Point are accessible with assistance. Only service animals recognized by the ADA are permitted to accompany their owners off pavement. Having assistance is recommended at this altitude.

Bryce Canyon Lodge

The only property inside the park, the historic Bryce Canyon Lodge evokes a rustic old-world charm. The Sunrise Unit of the Bryce Canyon Lodge has accessible rooms designed for wheelchair access with lowered counters, and an accessible bathroom and has adjacent parking facilities.

HAMPTON INN KANAB (LOCATED BETWEEN BRYCE & ZION)

Located on Highway 89 in Kanab, this hotel has a serious Western vibe. It’s close to several natural attractions, such as the Moqui Cave and Zion National Park, and it’s about an hour from the Grand Canyon.

Accessibility features are numerous and ample for manual wheelchairs. Power-chair users with chairs wider than 32 inches should call ahead. Accessible guest rooms have mobility features, closed captioning decoders, grab bars in the bathroom, and lowered or adjustable closet rods. Lowered emergency evac instructions, light switches, door peephole and thermostats. Raised toilets and rollin showers. Hotel entrance, business center, gym, parking, entrance and lowered registration desk are accessible. Accessible routes from entrance to guestrooms, gym, business center and public areas. Note there is no accessible route to the meeting room/ballroom. Swimming pool is accessible. Elevators and room numbers include Braille identifiers. Visual strobe alarms in rooms, hallways and public areas. TTY for guest use. Accessible transportation with advance notice.

Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef National Park offers experiences for everyone, including those with accessibility needs. Much of the park can be enjoyed from your vehicle by taking the Scenic Drive, Cathedral Valley Loop, Notom-Bullfrog Road and Burr Trail.

The remarkable Fremont Culture petroglyphs along Utah Highway 24 are accessible by boardwalk. The Fruita Schoolhouse and Merin-Smith Implement Shed are also accessible and feature audio guides. A portion of the Fremont River Trail near the Gifford House and Fruita Campground is also wheelchair accessible.

The visitor center is fully accessible to wheelchair users and provides a ramped entrance, reserved parking and accessible restrooms. The park orientation movie is accessible and closedcaptioned, and several exhibits are tactile. Narrated descriptions of all exhibits are also available through the NPS Audio Description Tours mobile app. The Fruita Campground has five campsites that are designated for wheelchair users.

Talks held at the visitor center, Ripple Rock Nature Center, Petroglyph Panel are accessible to wheelchair users. However, ranger-led hikes or walks are generally not accessible due to the rugged terrain. Service animals are allowed everywhere in the park.

Canyonlands National Park

Established in 1964 and carved by the Colorado River, Canyonlands National Park preserves 527 square miles of colorful landscape that has eroded into countless canyons, mesas, arches and buttes by the Colorado River and its tributaries. This is a park with a rugged landscape with limited development — 86% of the park is managed as federally designated wilderness. While accessibility features do exist and service animals are permitted everywhere in the park, some districts are more accessible than others. Island in the Sky is the most accessible, and the road at Island in the Sky passes many accessible viewpoints and facilities. These overlooks are accessible: Buck Canyon, Green River and Grand View Point Overlook. The Needles and The Maze districts are the least accessible areas of the park.

Zion National Park

One of the most-visited National Parks, Zion is a great choice for people of all abilities. The Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, a stunning 6.5-mile road that winds through the heart of the park, offers breathtaking views of The Narrows, the Emerald Pools, Angels Landing and more.

In wilderness areas, people are allowed to use wheelchairs and some other power-driven mobility devices. Park visitor centers, the Human History Museum, restrooms, shuttle buses, picnic areas and the Zion Lodge are also accessible. Several campsites are reserved for people with accessibility needs, and the Pa’rus Trail and Riverside Walk offer accessible hikes. Service dogs are permitted on a leash throughout the park. You can even visit Zion National Park with virtual hikes.

Check the park’s website before you go, as midFebruary through late November access into Zion Canyon is by shuttle bus only. And currently no portion of the Riverside Walk is accessible due to trail damage.

All shuttle buses are wheelchair accessible. Use of personal vehicles is restricted to those individuals requiring additional vehicle-supported medical devices, those unable to ride the shuttle for medical reasons, or when the shuttle bus cannot accommodate the individual due to weight or size restrictions. The shuttle lift has a combined weight limit of 600 pounds and cannot accommodate chairs larger than 45 inches long or 25 inches wide. A special permit for personal vehicle use up-canyon must be obtained from the visitor center or museum information desks.

Zion Lodge

Zion Lodge is uniquely located in the heart of Zion Canyon. Access to Zion Lodge is restricted to wheelchair-accessible shuttle buses from mid-February through late November. During the winter, reserved parking spaces are available with a ramp leading to the building. The snack bar, gift shop, restrooms, auditorium and dining room are all accessible. Four hotel rooms are accessible. A wheelchair is available for loan.

Utah Lake State Park

For Lake and Company readers, no trip would be complete without a lakeside sojourn. Known as Utah’s largest freshwater lake at roughly 148 square miles, Utah Lake offers plenty of fishing access. With an average water temperature of 75 degrees, Utah Lake is excellent for swimming, boating and paddleboarding. The RV campground consists of 31 sites, complete with water and power hookups.

There are wheelchair-accessible restrooms, visitor center, parking and campsites. There is also an accessible fishing dock and accessible boat dock.

CLIFFROSE SPRINGDALE, CURIO COLLECTION BY HILTON

This beautiful hotel with expansive views and well appointed rooms is situated in Springdale, 8.1 miles from Zion National Park. Part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, this hotel has numerous accessibility features, including: accessible concierge desk, elevators, restaurant, parking, entrance, registration desk, and an accessible swimming pool. Accessible routes exist throughout the property. Guest room doors are 32” wide, so power wheelchair users with wider chairs should call ahead. Inflatable chair available to assist guests with getting in and out shower. Accessible rooms include grab bars, and lowered sinks, thermostats, evacuation instructions, portable shower/bath board, and portable shower chairs. Braille elevator, audible alarms, closed captioning decoders, strobe alarms, swimming pool heist, and TTY for guest use.

Mesa Verde National Park

Located in southwestern Colorado, Mesa Verde National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that preserves some of the most significant archaeological sites in the United States. The park features numerous cliff dwellings built by the Ancestral Pueblo people over 700 years ago, including the impressive Cliff Palace, the largest cliff dwelling in North America.

Many areas of Mesa Verde Park are fully accessible. However, the park does have accessibility limitations for people with low vision, hearing, and mobility impairments. Wheelchairs with wide rim wheels are recommeded on trails. Service animals are allowed anywhere that you are allowed to go in Mesa Verde. Persons with heart or respiratory ailments may have breathing problems at this altitude.

Grand Canyon National Park

The Grand Canyon is hands-down one of the most wheelchair-accessible national parks in the country. It’s a bucket-list destination for many people of all abilities and for good reason.

A scenic-drive accessibility permit, available at entrance gates, allows visitors with mobility issues to use their own vehicles on Hermit and Yaki Point Road, two scenic roads closed to public traffic. On the South Rim, the most-visited side of the park and open all year round, shuttle buses are free and accessible, providing wheelchair ramps and low entrance steps. Note: shuttles accommodate wheelchairs up to 30 inches wide by 48 inches long. Power chairs and motorized scooters are not accommodated. If you would prefer not to take the shuttle at the South Rim, check in at the visitor center to obtain a car pass, which will allow you to drive your adapted or accessible vehicle to places where typically only the shuttle is allowed to go.

If requested in advance, an unforgettable ride on a Grand Canyon mule is available to those with disabilities. Helicopter tours, airplanes and multiday river trips are other adventurous options.

There are three rims to choose from when visiting, the most-accessible rims being the West and South rims. However, there is some accessibility on the North rim, and it offers a less-crowded and different perspective of the canyon. While the North Rim does have a visitor center and scenic drives, and is certainly worth visiting, the South Rim is by far the most popular. It’s also the most accessible. Given the choice between South and West, many people prefer the South Rim as there are lots of paved pathways, accessible overlooks and an accessible shuttle here. The West Rim is where you can roll out on the Skywalk glass platform to see the canyon beneath you. Many Interpretive Ranger Programs are wheelchair accessible. All bookstores and gift shops are wheelchair accessible except for South Rim’s Kolb Studio and the upper floors of Desert View Watchtower.

Several hotels inside the park have ADA-compliant rooms, including Maswik Lodge, El Tovar, Kachina and Thunderbird. Many are right on the rim and have dramatic canyon views. The New Maswic South Lodge, the first new Grand Canyon hotel in 50 years, features décor inspired by Native American artwork from the region and a color scheme evocative of the canyon’s orange, terra cotta and burnt-umber tones.

By Thea Rendon

When we women think of health, we typically think of hitting the gym before work or throwing together a salad and maybe knocking back some sort of repulsive fad diet shake, in between the chaos of packing school lunches, working a full day, running kids to and from practices, cooking dinner, preparing baths and grappling with bedtime — only to hopefully get a few hours of shut-eye so we can wake up seemingly refreshed to do it all over again, with a smile.

While eating healthy and exercising are great habits, this type of “run till you drop” lifestyle needs to be supplemented with more gratifying ways to stay healthy.

Ladies, science can back up the fact that women have a stronger need to seek social support in times of stress. Oxytocin, which is known as the love or trust hormone, can be released by hanging out with your girl group. Women seek out support from other women. These supportive girlfriend relationships paired with travel can lead to other health advantages as well. Having strong social bonds can actually make you live longer! Other studies have shown that people who have lived in a prolonged socially isolated situation are far more likely to experience cognitive decline and depression and can experience other health problems such as high blood pressure.

While the world is in the midst of undoubtedly the most serious public health crisis of our lifetime, there is an outcry for ways to improve mental health. The current reality for so many women is bleak. The covid pandemic, which disproportionately forced women out of the workforce in order to take on extra roles such as childcare and distance-learning teacher, continues.