“Having a great vacation with the new GRIT off-road wheelchair. Today we went to the west side of the Grand Canyon.” —Marilyn
By Cory Lee
One of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States is the Grand Canyon. Visiting the Grand Canyon is often on bucket lists because it’s a natural wonder of the world, making any trip memorable. Visiting the Grand Canyon in an off-road wheelchair is entirely possible, as there are observation decks that accommodate wheelchairs, along with visitor centers, trails, and driving tours, so truly everyone can experience the beautiful landscapes.
The following tips can help any all-terrain wheelchair user enjoy the Grand Canyon, but especially those visiting for the first time. These tips highlight some of the most accessible and popular destinations within the national park, and the first tip even helps you visit for a reduced cost if you start planning your trip early.
1: Obtain an America the Beautiful Access Pass
The first tip for enjoying the Grand Canyon in a wheelchair is to plan your trip ahead of time, so you can apply for and receive an America the Beautiful Access Pass. This pass is available to those with a permanent disability and provides free access to the South Rim and North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
There are two ways to obtain an America the Beautiful Access Pass: Either in person with a valid government ID or with an online or mail-in application. If you’re going to apply in person, be sure to call ahead to ensure the office you visit has the pass on-hand. If you are going to apply via mail or email, there is a $10 fee and it can take several weeks to receive your pass in the mail.
In addition to providing free access to the Grand Canyon, this pass is also a great starting point for self-guided driving tours, as you will have free access to the national park. Popular driving routes include the South Rim to Grand Canyon Village, but you can also drive from rim to rim and cross the Colorado River at the Hoover Dam. For the most access, you will want to apply for a scenic drive accessibility permit, so you can drive on roads that are usually reserved for tour buses during the tourist season.
“Traveled along the Grand Canyon on the path and got to see this amazing sight. Then the next day, we stopped at the Horseshoe Bend outlook with our all-terrain wheelchair. The path at the GC was no issue at any time.” —Ralph
2: Visit the South Rim
For your first visit to the Grand Canyon, the South Rim is the best place to start. This is the most visited portion of the Grand Canyon and is home to wheelchair-accessible buildings, trails, and lodging if you’re planning to stay on site.
For the best overall view, visit Mather Point, where there are wheelchair-accessible vantage points, plus you’ll get great windshield views as soon as you enter the park. Popular places to visit at the South Rim include Grand Canyon Village, scenic Hermit Road, and Desert View Drive, in addition to the visitor center and nearby hiking trails.
“My Freedom Chair and I (and dog) just completed 2 months of travel. Quartzsite, AZ, Grand Canyon, Valley of Fire, NV, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Arches National Park. Had a lot of interest in chair from lots of people.”
—Robert
3: Hike the Trail of Time
Hiking is a nice way to interact with the national park and the canyon itself, as well as an opportunity to enjoy the view. One of the best wheelchair-accessible hikes is located near the Canyon View visitor center and is called the Trail of Time.
The 1.3-mile-long walking path explores the Grand Canyon’s geologic history. The paved path is lined with foliage and trees on both sides, running along the edge of the canyon. Along the path, there are stone markers that provide a timeline for the life of the canyon. Bronze markers show your location with every tenth marker representing millions of years.
The trail officially starts at Yavapai Geology Museum, which is about a half-hour away from the Canyon View visitor center near Mather Point. The trail progresses toward Grand Canyon Village and to Hermits Rest. You don’t have to walk/roll the whole trail, but it does provide a fun opportunity to leisurely enjoy the canyon and is a place to hike a good distance if you’re a hobbyist.
“Beat the crowds and heat by going in spring…Grand Canyon has a very good paved trail around the rim. All the national parks have maps to help you and as I understand it they are trying to improve handicap access.”
—Robert
4: Grand Canyon Visitor Centers
There are multiple sites to see and buildings to explore throughout the entirety of Grand Canyon National Park. The South Rim is home to the “official” Grand Canyon Visitor Center, which is the first stop upon entering via the South Entrance. Many visitors park and walk to Mather Point for observing the canyon and then use a “park and ride” feature with the shuttle buses to visit other areas. Grand Canyon Visitor Center has indoor and outdoor exhibits, including a 20-minute film about the park itself. The center is wheelchair accessible and there is space to explore both inside and out, as well as an opportunity to ask park rangers questions about the canyon.
The full accessibility guide is helpful in highlighting the accessible features of each visitor center and visitation area. It includes a quick list of features of most major tourist spaces.“My step dad has ALS so we decided…to do a family road trip and create lasting memories…We got to take him hiking with us at Bryce Canyon through queens garden and the two bridges route and today we enjoyed the Grand Canyon with him.” —Jenny
5: Consider a Shuttle Bus Ride
One last tip for wheelchair users to enjoy the Grand Canyon is to consider a shuttle bus ride. You may find that the shuttle bus makes it easier to explore other areas of the park without a scenic drive accessibility pass, or if you’d rather take a short trip on the bus instead of driving your car through the park. First-time visitors may like the tourist aspect of using the bus and seeing the different vantage points, while seasoned visitors may appreciate the ease the bus provides.
The buses are wheelchair accessible with the use of a ramp, but there are limitations in terms of wheelchair size. The shuttle buses have a maximum wheelchair size of 30 inches wide and 48 inches long.
The Grand Canyon is an amazing destination for everyone, including off-road wheelchair users. To enjoy the Grand Canyon in an all-terrain wheelchair, all you’ll need is time to spend in the park, as everyone can access the park to visit for the day, hike between the buildings, and explore the wonder of the natural landscape.
About the Author: Cory Lee
Cory Lee is the award-winning accessible travel blogger behind Curb Free with Cory Lee. He hopes to inspire others to roll out of their comfort zone and see all of the beauty our world has to offer.
