While every attempt has been made to ensure the greatest degree of accuracy of the contents within, 20 States on Wheels makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of this book and expressly disclaims liability for errors and omissions in the contents of this book. No warranty of any kind, implied, expressed or statutory, including but not limited to the warranties of non-infringement of third party rights, title, contents of this book or its URLs to other Internet resources. Reference in this the public, and does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by 20 States on Wheels. Many of the photographs used in this book were taken directly by team members of 20 States on Wheels. All photographs not taken by our team members were posted online under Creative Commons 2.0 copyright licensing, and an attribution to the photographer is listed.
for Haley Rue, fellow adventurer, whose spirit lives on.
Grand Canyon
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National Park, AZ by Kunho
the gate of Grand Canyon National Park. “Um. No?” I said with a weird look. The reason why he asked whether I was a US citizen or not is that American citizens with disabilities are eligible for FREE passes to the national park! Unfortunately, I did not qualify... but we still had a great time. We woke up at 6 a.m. to go see the sunrise over the canyon. By the top of the trail we hopped sleepily out of the car and gazed at that burning red egg climbing up the rocks. Suddenly, I saw a darting animal scrambling up the side of the canyon. “Squirrel! Squirrel!” I had a sudden epiphany. “I have found the name of our book!” I shouted to everyone. “I see squirrels everywhere. In San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Boston and everywhere! We are going everywhere and are going to write about everywhere! The name of our travel guide should be ‘Squirrel!’” Everyone was giggling, and Brad looked at me as if I were out of my mind. Yes, it was early in the morning. I was not totally out of my mind though. If you look at the history of the squirrels at the canyon, you would be surprised. A long time ago, before the canyon was formed, there was only one species of squirrel in this area. However, as the canyon developed over millions of years, squirrels on the south rim and the north rim of the canyon became different species, because the canyon was too ginormous to go across. They were like the gap between the would be like a bridge to help connect the long lost squirrel brothers, and help wheelchair users to travel as easily as their able-bodied brothers. We would be helping Squirrels! “No way,” adamantly said Brad. “That’s the most absurd thing I’ve heard during this trip.” Well, maybe it was, but I still love squirrels.
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Basics About the Park Heritage Site and home to one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Although options to hike down into the canyon are limited for people with mobility yon, with viewpoints of varying degrees of accessibility. There are three main areas where visitors can access the park: the South Rim, North Rim, and West Rim. The South Rim, by far the most popular area to visit, attracts over 90% of the park’s 5 million annual visitors, and includes Grand Canyon Village and the most developed scenic viewpoints. The North Rim, which is closed during the winter, is less busy and offers a scenic drive. The West Rim is owned by the Hualapai Tribe, not the United States, and the ADA does not apply there, though several attractions including the famous Skywalk bridge over the canyon are accessible.
Weather With elevations varying from 2000 feet to over 8000 feet, the weather in the Grand Canyon varies quite a bit, from its cold winters to its relatively pleasant summers. Here are some basic guidelines:
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Spring Warm springs are common in the Grand Canyon with highs in the 70s and lows in the 40s. This season can be windy. Bring a jacket.
Autumn Highs in the 60s, lows in the 40s. Bring a light jacket.
Summer Pleasant temperatures, with highs in the 80s and lows in the 50s. Frequent thunderstorms in July, August and early September. Bring a rain coat.
Winter
20 States on Wheels Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
in the 40s and lows in the teens. Bring winter gear and be prepared for snowy terrain.
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
Park Entry and Services
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Entrance Fee for non-wheelchair users: $25.00 FREE entry for life: if you are a disabled US citizen or permanent resident, pick up an Interagency Access Pass at the park entrance or visitor center or online. You must go in person and bring proof of disability. This pass will let you and accompanying passengers in one vehicle enter any national park in the US for free for life. Scenic Drive Accessibility Permit (South Rim) If you have mobility issues, this scenic drive accessibility permit can be obtained at any entrance station, in-park hotel or visitor center. The permit must be displayed on your dashboard and will allow your vehicle access to Hermit Road and Yaki Point Road in the South Rim, which are normally closed to private vehicles. Note that this permit by itself does not allow vehicles to park in designated handicap parking spaces.
Transportation There is a free, accessible shuttle bus service at the South Rim. Note, however, that most motorized scooters and wheelchairs larger than 30 inches wide and 48 inches long cannot be accommodated by the shuttle services. There are three lines currently in service, which provide transportation between Grand Canyon Village, Hermit’s Rest, Yavapai Point, and Yaki Point. A complete map of the South Rim shuttle service is provided at the end of the Basics section (pages 120-121). The shuttle service does not provide access to Desert View Drive on the South Rim. There is no shuttle service at the north rim.
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Basics Bus Tours The following companies offer wheelchair accessible bus tours from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon: Grand Canyon Tour Company (702) 655-6060 Toll-free: (800) 222-6966 www.grandcanyontourcompany.com Grand Canyon Tour Company offers bus tours from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon. Several different tours are available, including a threehour tour and an overnight stay. To request a bus with a wheelchair lift, call 72 hours in advance to reserve. The bus can only accommodate manual wheelchair users; motorized chairs are not allowed. The overnight stay option includes lodgings at Yavapai Lodge, which offers accessible rooms with roll-in showers (see Lodgings section below). Papillon (702) 638-3300 www.papillon.com/las-vegas-tours/bus-tours/grand-canyon-south-rim-bus-tour Papillon offers several tours from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon, including bus tours. If your wheelchair is collapsible, no special arrangements are necessary. If your wheelchair is not collapsible, call at least 48 hours in advance to reserve a special bus. The special bus does accommodate both motorized and manual wheelchairs. Canyon Tours (702) 260-0796 www.canyontours.com/grand-canyon-west-rim-bus-tour/ Canyon Tours offers bus tours from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon, including a stopover at the Hoover Dam. Call at least 72 hours in advance to reserve a wheelchair accessible bus. The accessible bus does accommodate both motorized and manual wheelchairs.
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Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
Airplane and Helicopter Tours
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The following are some companies that offer helicopter and/or airplane tours of the Grand Canyon: Papillon (888) 635-7272 or (702) 736-7243 www.papillon.com/grand-canyon-national-park Papillon offers several helicopter and airplane tours of the Grand Canyon. Tours leave from several destinations, including Las Vegas, Grand ters and planes do not have accessible ramps or other accommodations, and for wheelchair users to board they must have assistants who are physically capable of lifting them onto the aircraft. Grand Canyon Airlines (866) 235-9422 www.grandcanyonairlines.com/tours Grand Canyon Airlines offers several airplane tours of the Grand Canyon. Accessible ramps are available to board each airplane. Contact the staff when you check in and they will bring out the ramp to accommodate you. Maverick (888) 261-4414 or (702) 261-0007 www.maverickhelicopter.com/tour-listing.aspx Maverick offers helicopter and airplane tours of the Grand Canyon. Tours leave from Las Vegas, Henderson NV, the Grand Canyon, and accommodations such as ramps, and wheelchair users must have assistants capable of physically lifting them in order to board or depart. The airplanes have a storage compartment for folding wheelchairs but cannot store motorized wheelchairs.
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Basics Visitor Centers Wheelchairs can be rented for free at both visitor centers. Grand Canyon Visitor Center (South Rim) S Entrance Rd Grand Canyon, Arizona 86023 Entrance Bathroom Parking Hours
fully accessible main entrance center lot with designated handicap parking Daily 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
The Grand Canyon Visitor Center offers information about the park, many informational displays about the canyon, and a large bookCenter along the edge of the canyon and offers some nice views. North Rim Visitor Center North Rim Visitor Center, Arizona 67, North Rim, Arizona 86052 www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm Entrance Bathroom Parking Hours
main entrance fully accessible by ramp accessible restrooms located behind building lot with designated handicap parking
The North Rim Visitor Center offers information about the park, interactive displays, and a bookstore. The front entrance is accessible by ramp and bathrooms are located behind the building.
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Camping/ Lodging South Rim Accessible Camping
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Mather Campground Reservation Price Accessible Sites Bathroom
vations through website at www.recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777 $18/night A020, A023, A051, A053, A131, A278, A303 by sites A019, A054, A131, A277, A300
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South Rim Accessible Lodgings Bright Angel and El Tovar Hotel do not have ADA compliant wheelchair accessible rooms. Rooms at the Grand Canyon are fully booked well in advance, and it is common to book rooms as far as 6 months or more in advance. Parking lots are available throughout Grand Canyon Village, but visitor parking consider parking at the South Rim Grand Canyon Visitor Center.
Kachina Lodge Location Rooms Reservation Price Phone
2 wheelchair accessible rooms;0 with roll in showers Reserve through Xanterra Parks & Resorts $200/night during peak season (888) 297-2757
Thunderbird Lodge Location Rooms Reservation Price Phone
2 wheelchair accessible rooms; 0 with roll in showers Reserve through Xanterra Parks & Resorts $200/night during peak season (888) 297-2757
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Camping/ Lodging Maswik Lodge Location Rooms Reservation Price Phone
Located about a 10 minute walk from the rim 16 wheelchair accessible rooms; some with roll in showers Reserve through Xanterra Parks & Resorts $240/night during peak season (888) 297-2757
Yavapai Lodge Location
Rooms Reservation Price Phone
There is a bus stop by the front desk and the rim is about a 5-10 minute bus ride from the hotel. All buses are accessible. Accessible rooms are located on the east side of the lodge. 6 wheelchair accessible rooms; 2 with roll in showers Reserve through Delaware North Corporation Parks & Reports $180/night during peak season (877) 404-4611
North Rim Accessible Camping NPS North Rim Campground Reservation Price Accessible Sites Bathroom
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website at www.recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777 $18-$25/night 42, 57, 60, 76, 78 by all accessible campsites
20 States on Wheels Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
North Rim Lodgings
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www.grandcanyonlodgenorth.com/lodging/ Grand Canyon Lodge, located at Bright Angel Point, is the only lodging at the North Rim. Grand Canyon Lodge consists of the Western, Pioneer and Frontier cabins. There is also a motel that does not have any accessible rooms. Call (877)-386-4383 for booking and information.
Western Cabins Location Rooms Reservation Phone
Bright Angel Point 4 wheelchair accessible cabins; 2 with roll in showers Reserve through Forever Resorts (877)-386-4383
Pioneer Cabins Location Rooms Reservation Phone
Bright Angel Point 2 wheelchair accessible cabins; 2 with roll in showers Reserve through Forever Resorts (877)-386-4383
Frontier Cabins Location Rooms Reservation Phone
Bright Angel Point 1 wheelchair accessible cabins; no roll in showers Reserve through Forever Resorts (877)-386-4383
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South Rim
Traveling the Village and Hermit Road
The South Rim of the Grand Canyon, which includes the Grand Canyon Village, Hermit Road, and Desert View Drive, is open all year round. It is also much more popular than the more remote North Rim. 90% of the Canyon’s 5 million yearly visitors see the canyon from the South Rim. All three bus routes depicted on this map are wheelchair accessible.
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www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/maps.htm
Courtesy of the National Park Service. The use of National Park Service maps in this book does not indicate endorsement of 20 States on Wheels by the NPS.
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South Rim
- Grand Canyon Village
Grand Canyon Village, where most tourists stay, includes lodging options, the visitor center, and several attractions and viewpoints for tourists. Hermit Road leads to viewpoints to the left of the village, and Desert View Drive leads to viewpoints to the east of the village.
Mather Point
The viewing platform at Mather Point is accessible by a paved sidewalk to one side. Courtesy of Michael Quinn
Mather Point offers views of the Colorado River out over the edge of the canyon by Grand Canyon Village. The point is accessible via a ramp on the left side facing the canyon. Althe edge by the fence. 132
20 States on Wheels Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ Courtesy of Michael Quinn
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The Yavapai Museum provides information on the geological history of the Canyon.
Yavapai Geology Museum Entrance Bathroom Parking
fully accessible main entrance accessible restroom by right side of parking lot lot with designated handicap parking
geological history of the Grand Canyon. It also offers spectacular views of the Grand Canyon through wide windows. The museum also offers a bookstore where you can buy souvenirs. The path beside the Geology Mu-
Trail of Time Courtesy of Michael Quinn
paved accessible 1.3 mile trail along the edge of the canyon from Verkamp’s Visitor Center to the Yavapai Geology Museum. Along the way there are many different touchable samples of rock from the Grand Canyon. This trail is wheelchair users to traverse. 20 States on Wheels Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
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South Rim
A view of the canyon from the road.
- Hermit Road
Courtesy of Michael Quinn
Hermit Road Bathroom
accessible restrooms at Hopi Point and Hermit Rest
Hermit Road is a scenic drive where only buses are normally permitted. However, with a Scenic Drive Accessibility Permit, tourists with mobility issues can drive personal automobiles up the road. There is a wheelchair accessible trail path from Monument Creek Vista to Hermit unpaved surfaces.
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20 States on Wheels Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ Courtesy of the National Park Service
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The following viewpoints are located off of Hermit Road: Trailview Overlook - 2 miles west of Grand Canyon Village Angel Trail. There is a paved trail that goes along the side of the canyon but does not go right up to the viewpoint, where the area is bumpy. Maricopa Point - 2 miles west of Grand Canyon Village viewpoint of an old copper and uranium mine. Powell Point - 3 miles west of Grand Canyon Village trail goes around a monument to Major John Wesley Powell which is not accessible due to stairs. Hopi Point - 3 miles west of Grand Canyon Village
pansive east to west view of the canyon. There is a ramp from the parking
Mohave Point - 4 miles west of Grand Canyon Village paved trail from the parking lot to the viewpoint. Pima Point - 7 miles west of Grand Canyon Village paved trail from the parking lot to the viewpoint. 20 States on Wheels Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
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South Rim
- Desert View Drive
Desert View Watchtower’s Courtesy of Erin Huggins
Village, ending at Desert View, where there is a viewpoint and Watchtower. Desert View Drive contains several viewpoints, with varying degrees of accessibility.
Desert View Point and Watchtower 25 miles east of Grand Canyon Village Entrance Bathroom Parking
accessible restrooms a short walk from watchtower and visitor center lot with designated handicap parking
is accessible to wheelchair users. The Watchtower viewing platform looking out some cracked and buckled roads.
Grandview Point
13 miles east of Grand Canyon Village Bathroom Parking
accessible restroom by parking lot lot with designated handicap parking
Grand View Point offers panoramic views of the Grand Canyon and some information about the mining history here. The viewpoint offers path to a viewpoint by the parking lot is paved wheelchair-accessible by the park service, however, as a trail leading from the parking lot viewpoint up to a closer viewpoint is not accessible. 136
20 States on Wheels Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
Courtesy of Daniel Mayer
The view from Grandview Point. A viewpoint by the parking lot is accessible, but the trail to a closer view is not.
Courtesy of Daniel Mayer
Moran Point, which has a nice view of the North Rim, is accessible by a path that is a little bumpy.
Moran Point
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13 miles east of Grand Canyon Village Bathroom Parking
none designated handicap parking available
Moran Point offers views of Cape Royal on the North Rim of the canyon and of the Colorado River. There are two paths from the parking lot to the viewpoint, and the one on the right is accessible (the one on the left has some steps). The path here is a little bumpy and wheelchair users may need assistance to go to this view point.
Lipan Point
23 miles east of Grand Canyon Village Bathroom Parking
none none Lipan Point offers scenic views of the Grand Canyon Supergroup rocks, the Colorado River. The road here is bumpy, and there is a step up to the platform that makes it inaccessible. However, a view of the Canyon is visible from the car.
Courtesy of Doug Dolde
Lipan Point is bumpy and has a step that makes the viewing platform inaccessible, though a nice view is still available from the car.
Navajo Point
24 miles east of Grand Canyon Village Bathroom Parking
none none Navajo Point, like Lipan Point, offers scenic views of the Grand Canyon Supergroup and the Colorado River. The view point path is very bumpy and hilly, and
Courtesy of Daniel Vorndran
Navajo Point, which offers great views of the Colorado River, is very bumpy and not easily accessible.
assistance to go to the ledge. 20 States on Wheels Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
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North Rim May 15. It is also less accessible than the more popular South Rim.
North Rim Scenic Drive
The spectacular view from Cape Royal, at the end of the North Rim Scenic Drive.
Courtesy of Michael Quinn
The North Rim Scenic Drive is 32.5 miles in length from the Visitor at Point Imperial and Cape Royal. Point Imperial, located on a detour from the rest of the scenic drive, is the highest point on either rim overlooking the route, which offer Canyon views from the car, are Vista Encantada,
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Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
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Courtesy of the National Park Service
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West Rim
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
5001 Diamond Bar Road Peach Springs, Arizona 86434 (888) 868-9378 www.grandcanyonwest.com The West Rim of the Grand Canyon is under jurisdiction of the Hualapai Tribe, not the United States of America. As such, the ADA does not apply to facilities on the West Rim. However, many facilities offer accessibility features. The Interagency Access Pass does not include entry to the West Rim, and visitors must pay a separate fee for entrance. Admission costs $43.42 for sightseeing at Eagle Point, Guano Point and Hualapai Ranch, or $80.94 for those attractions plus the Skywalk and lunch.
Bus Private vehicles are not allowed inside the West Rim past a visitor parking area at the West Rim airport. To access each attraction, visitors must board a tourist shuttle bus. Accessible buses with ramps are available.
Grand Canyon Skywalk and Eagle Point The Grand Canyon Skywalk is a see-through glass bridge at Eagle Point that spans out over the canyon, from which visitors can look straight down over the canyon below. The area around Eagle Point is not paved and can be somewhat bumpy, and wheelchair users may need assistance. The Skywalk entry is accessible and includes an accessible restroom. There is also a Native American village featuring authentic historical dwellings and an amphitheater featuring performances from multiple tribes in the area. The path to the village and amphitheater is
The Skywalk juts over the edge of the Canyon. 140
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Tourists staring down through the skywalk at the canyon below.
Courtesy of Gary Bembridge
Courtesy of Travis212
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A nice view is available by the bus stop, but the best view is located down an inaccessible trail.
Guano Point Guano Point, an old guano mine, offers spectacular views of the Canyon. There is a nice view from the shuttle bus stop, but the best view is located down a trail that is not accessible to a closer viewpoint over the canyon. Accessible restrooms are available at the restaurant by the shuttle bus stop. There is also a marketplace where Tribal members sell Native American jewelry and crafts. The
Hualapai Ranch and Western Cabins Hualapai Ranch offers an old-fashioned Western village with cowboy-themed ings are accessible. The wagon and horseback rides are not accessible. The main entrance to the check-in desk for cabin lodgings is inaccessible due to a step, and wheelchair users must enter through the side gift shop entrance. There is one accessible cabin with a roll-in shower. 20 States on Wheels Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
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