As a wheelchair user, when I think about potential future travel destinations, I always start dreaming of national parks. I have been lucky enough to visit a number of national parks over the years, and I always love them for several reasons. Sure, the natural beauty within the parks is astounding, but many of them in the United States are accessible as well. When the great outdoors is wheelchair friendly, I’m a happy guy. In my opinion, there's just nothing better than rolling in the outdoors, seeing spectacular sights, and being at one with nature.

National parks are worth visiting, but the 5 listed below are some of my personal favorites. Whether you want to enjoy accessible trails, go inside a cave, or just be amazed by scenic landscapes, these national parks are sure to delight you, no matter what your abilities are.

Acadia National Park

Nestled on the rugged coast of Maine, Acadia National Park offers stunning ocean vistas, granite peaks, and lush forests. What makes it accessible is its commitment to providing diverse experiences for all visitors. The Park Loop Road is a fantastic starting point; this scenic drive offers numerous pull-offs with breathtaking views, many of which have accessible parking and paved or packed gravel paths leading to scenic overlooks. 

For those who love to roll, the carriage roads are truly the gem of Acadia National Park's accessibility. These historic, crushed-stone roads, originally built by John D Rockefeller Jr, span more than 45 miles and are mostly flat or gently graded. They're wheelchair accessible, and allowed me to immerse myself in the park's serene beauty without worrying about rough terrain. They can be accessed from various points, and many sections are exceptionally picturesque, winding through forests and alongside ponds. Additionally, areas like Jordan Pond Path (a portion of it is accessible) and the accessible sections of Ocean Path, near Sand Beach, offer beautiful coastal rolling opportunities. Many of the park's visitor centers, restrooms, and picnic areas are also designed to be wheelchair friendly.

Grand Canyon National Park

The sheer scale and majesty of the Grand Canyon is awe inspiring, and happily, much of its grandeur is remarkably accessible. The South Rim, in particular, is wheelchair friendly, making it an ideal destination. Based on my experience, the Rim Trail is the superstar here—a mostly paved, relatively flat path that stretches for miles along the canyon's edge, offering countless panoramic viewpoints. You can roll for significant distances, taking in iconic vistas without encountering major obstacles.

Popular viewpoints like Mather Point, Yavapai Point, and Hopi Point (which is accessible via shuttle bus) all have accessible viewing areas. The park's shuttle bus system is also wheelchair accessible, allowing you to easily navigate between various points of interest along the Rim Trail, reducing the need for extensive rolling in your wheelchair, if desired. Visitor centers, gift shops, and many restrooms are also designed with accessibility in mind to support a comfortable visit as you soak in one of the world's most incredible natural wonders.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Straddling the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is renowned for its mist-shrouded mountains, diverse plant and animal life, and rich cultural history. While some of its more rugged trails may be challenging, the park offers accessible opportunities to experience its beauty. The Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail near the Sugarlands Visitor Center is a paved, accessible loop that meanders through the forest alongside the river, perfect for a gentle roll and a dose of nature.

Another highlight is the Gatlinburg Trail, which runs from the town of Gatlinburg directly into the park, offering a relatively flat and paved path alongside the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River. Auto tours, such as the scenic drive through Cades Cove, allow you to experience the park's beauty from the comfort of your own vehicle, with accessible pull-offs and picnic areas along the way. Many of the park's visitor centers, including Sugarlands and Oconaluftee, are fully accessible, providing ramps and accessible restrooms. The rangers I met during my visit were helpful and made navigating the area much easier for me.

Mammoth Cave National Park

For a unique accessible adventure that takes you underground, I recommend Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky. As the world's longest known cave system, it offers a fascinating glimpse into another world. While not every cave tour is accessible, from my perspective, the park has made significant strides to ensure wheelchair users can experience the wonder of the cave.

The Mammoth Cave Accessible Tour is specifically designed for wheelchair users and should be booked online in advance of your visit. This tour features paved paths, ramps, and an elevator, allowing you to descend into the cave and marvel at its impressive formations, stalactites, and stalagmites. It's a unique experience that breaks down barriers, proving that even underground wonders can be enjoyed by wheelchair users. The visitor center, gift shop, and restrooms are also fully accessible, which made my experience smooth from arrival to departure.

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park in California is famous for its towering granite cliffs, giant sequoias, and breathtaking waterfalls. The good news is that much of the iconic Yosemite Valley, which houses many of these famous sights, is accessible. The Valley Loop Trail is a fantastic option, offering miles of mostly paved, flat paths that wind through meadows and alongside the Merced River, providing jaw-dropping views of El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls.

Many of the park's shuttle buses within Yosemite Valley are wheelchair accessible, making it easy to hop on and off at various accessible viewpoints and trailheads. Iconic spots like Lower Yosemite Fall Trail and parts of the Mirror Lake Trail are paved and relatively flat, allowing for incredible up-close experiences with the park's natural wonders. The visitor center, various lodging options, and many restrooms throughout the Valley are also designed for accessibility, helping visitors of all mobilities experience the magic of Yosemite.

From my experience, exploring our national parks as a wheelchair user is not just possible, but incredibly rewarding. These 5 parks represent just a fraction of the accessible beauty that the United States has to offer, proving that they are for everyone. So, pack your bags and get ready to create unforgettable memories in some of the most stunning and welcoming natural landscapes in the country.