Question of the Week: Is the Grand Canyon wheelchair accessible?

Feb 24

Question of the Week: Is the Grand Canyon wheelchair accessible?

Good afternoon everyone. Boy, spring is itching to get sprung. It’s a sunny and crisp 52 degrees Fahrenheit (or 10C for our friends overseas) and it’s only expected to get better from here! In fact, early Spring is one of our favorite times to be out here! Want to find out why? Ask me.

Grand Canyon accessibility Today’s topic addresses a very important issue, one that will become even moreso as our population continues to mature: Grand Canyon wheelchair accessibility. If you have a wheelchair, scooter or other mobility, you shouldn’t let that discourage you from coming to the Grand Canyon at all. With a little advance knowledge and a little assistance, you will have a fulfilling visit to the Grand Canyon and beyond.

Grand Canyon National Park is celebrating its 90th Anniversary this Thursday. It was designated as a El Tovar Hotel c. early 1900's National Park back in 1919, and development of hotels, trails and other visitor facilities was already well underway. The oldest Grand Canyon Hotel, the El Tovar, was built in 1905; it’s newest, Yavapai Lodge, dates back to the 1970’s. That means that all of the in-park hotels, and most of their adjacent facilities, were constructed prior to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Because some of these hotels, such as the El Tovar and Bright Angel Lodge are registered National Historic Landmarks, structural modifications for accessibility had to meet certain guidelines so as not to disturb the original look and feel of the building. Some wheelchair ramps for example, are a bit short and steep, so it might be hard to manage a manual wheelchair by oneself. Designated parking spaces can also be a bit far away from the building, but all the hotels have wheelchair accessible rooms (accommodations, such as roll-in showers, will vary from place to place) and public restrooms (at the El Tovar you have to ask for a key).

Grand Canyon Rim Trail The Rim Trail, a beautiful paved walkway that extends 5 miles along the canyon rim is something most everyone can enjoy. It is mostly flat and fairly wide over the stretch that passes through Grand Canyon Village. Outside Grand Canyon Village, the trail narrows in some places, so here’s where you’d want to have a trusted companion along in case you need a hand. For getting around Grand Canyon Village and the Hermit’s Rest Road, a limited number of shuttle buses with wheelchair lifts are available with prior arrangement. However, if you’re driving your own vehicle to Grand Canyon National Park, you can obtain an accessibility permit which will grant you access to areas which are normally off-limits to private vehicles, namely, the Hermit’s Rest Road and Yaki Point. Before entering the park, ask about the America the Beautiful Access Pass, too – this will grant you lifetime access to all National Parks and Monuments in the USA absolutely free. You must obtain this pass in person at any National Park Service or US Forest Service station, and be prepared to provide documentation of permanent disability (such as a letter from your physician, or documentation from Social Security or VA).

If you are able to walk for short distances and only require a wheelchair for occasional use, loaner wheelchairs are available free of charge provided by the National Park Service. You can obtain one at the Canyon View Information Plaza across from Mather Point. You will be required to provide identification, and return the wheelchair at least 30 minutes before closing time of the Visitor Center. For more detailed information on the accessibility of hotels and facilities within Grand Canyon National Park, be sure to download a copy of the Grand Canyon National Park Accessibility Guide at http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm You can also pick up a copy at various locations inside the park.

Grand Canyon tour operators also make every effort to accommodate visitors with special needs, too. The Grand Canyon Railway, for example, offers two classes of service equipped with wheelchair lifts. Rimside jeep tours, air tours, even Colorado River rafting tours could even be an option for you. Just call the tour companies to find out. If making reservations online, be sure to follow it up with a phone call so the tour company in question is aware of your needs and can have personnel on hand to provide assistance if necessary.

One last comment regarding Grand Canyon lodging: since most of the hotels in Tusayan (1 mile South of the park gates) are newer, they have been able to provide more modern accommodations for individuals who have wheelchairs, such as parking closer to the buildings, and ramps that are more manageable. Hotels in this community, in order of age are: the Grand Hotel (1998), the Holiday Inn Express (1995), the Quality Inn Canyon Plaza (mid-1980’s), the Best Western Grand Canyon Squire Inn (early 1980’s) and the Red Feather Lodge (1963). Since this community is just 10 easy minutes from the park, and since in-park rooms tend to book up so far ahead anyway, you might be more comfortable booking your Grand Canyon hotel in this area. Tusayan is also the site of the IMAX Theatre, as well as many choices of dining options and gift shops. For more availability and pricing of Grand Canyon hotels in Tusayan, call 1-800-916-8530.

And special thanks to the National Park Service for letting folks like us use pictures from their photo gallery (top 4 courtesy of their website, www.nps.gov/grca). Have fun Thursday at the Anniversary celebration and the grand opening of the new Verkamp’s Visitor Center.