National parks and family vacations just seem to go hand in hand. In fact, most people over the age of 35 have at least one fond childhood memory of a national park family vacation. Today, many parents long to recreate that magical childhood vacation experience with their own children; but at the same time they worry about appropriate access. Are our national parks really wheelchair-accessible? The answer is a qualified “yes.” Access varies from park to park, so advance planning is a must; however, generally speaking most national parks are a great choice for accessible and affordable family fun.
Finding appropriate accessible lodging is a prime concern for many national park visitors. Camping is the traditional way to enjoy a national park, and some national parks have accessible campsites. Most often, “accessible,” means the campground has a level campsite, accessible parking and an accessible bathroom. Some national parks go a bit further and have specialty campsites. For example, Rocky Mountain National Park offers accessible back country camping at the Handicamp at Sprague Lake.
Some national parks also have lodges or hotels within the...