Wyoming is known for its incredible outdoor opportunities, scenic drives and western traditions. The state’s iconic places offer a chance for everyone to get out and have an adventure, regardless of ability. Many of Wyoming’s most iconic outdoor spaces offer assistance for hearing, vision and mobility impaired.
We’ve put together a list of places where those requiring wheelchair or mobility assistance can experience Wyoming’s outdoor spaces. While this is not an extensive list, it does highlight some of Wyoming’s most breathtaking areas.
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone’s geysers and springs are available to everyone, with boardwalks lining many of the park’s geothermal features and paved paths available at popular sites and overlooks such as Old Faithful and Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone’s North Rim. Most of the park’s campgrounds have at least two accessible sites, and accessible lodging is available throughout the park.
Seeking a more adventurous stay? Two backcountry sites are reserved for those with disabilities, people over age 62 or those with children under six. Accessible ranger programs are noted in the park’s newspaper, which is available at entrances and visitor centers.
Yellowstone has an ongoing transition plan to make the park more accessible. The park has an app that provides up-to-date information on which areas are accessible, along with audio-described sites and alternative text for images. If you are planning to visit, contact the park ahead of time to set up assistance or arrange with the parks program how they can better assist you. Learn more about accessibility in Yellowstone National Park.
Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park’s alpine lakes, mountain meadows and stunning Teton Mountain Range shouldn’t be missed. Asphalt trails available at Colter Bay, Jackson Lake, Menors Ferry Historic District, Jenny Lake and Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve allow for the park’s beauty to be enjoyed by those with limited mobility. Many of the park’s campgrounds and lodging facilities offer accessible sites and rooms. Learn more about accessibility in Grand Teton National Park.
If you are interested in more adventurous activities in and near the park, check out Teton Adaptive Sports. This Wyoming non-profit offers skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, hockey, cycling, climbing, paddling, hiking and mountain biking for people living with physical or cognitive disabilities. Learn more about Teton Adaptive Sports.
Devils Tower National Monument
Devils Tower rises 1,267 feet above the Belle Fourche River. The national monument is working toward making the entire site accessible to people of all abilities. For now, be sure to explore the paved, 1.3-mile Tower Trail that circles the base of the tower. Keep in mind that the trail has some steep grades that are not recommended for wheelchair users. You can see the steepest part of the trail from the Visitor Center parking lot.
Interested in camping? The Belle Fourche River Campground within Devils Tower National Monument has four accessible campsites. Learn more about accessibility at Devils Tower National Monument.
Fossil Butte National Monument
Some of the world’s best-preserved fossils are found in the flat-topped ridges of southwestern Wyoming’s cold sagebrush desert. Fossilized fish, insects, plants, reptiles, birds, and mammals are exceptional for their abundance, variety and detail of preservation.
Fossil Butte National Monument’s visitor center, restrooms and picnic area are accessible, providing an opportunity to see and experience the fossils. Each trailhead provides vault toilets that are wheelchair accessible, and the trails are generally compacted soil. Check trail conditions as the slopes vary, and be prepared for uneven, rough surfaces including rock steps and water bars.
Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest
The Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest and Thunder Basin National Grassland cover nearly 2.9 million acres from north-central Colorado to central and northeastern Wyoming. Enjoy a drive through the Snowy Range Scenic Byway with stops along the way. This byway has several accessible turn outs that are paved. One of these turnouts includes the stunning Lake Marie Trail, which follows the shoreline to Mirror Lake. Learn more about Wyoming’s scenic byways, many of which feature scenic pullouts, picnic areas and trails.
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
The vast, wild landscape of Bighorn Canyon offers unparalleled opportunities to immerse yourself in the natural world and experience the wonders of this extraordinary place. The quarter-mile Two Eagles Interpretive Trail and the Visitor Center Pond Trail are both wheelchair accessible. Additionally, the Bighorn Headgate Trail is an easy gravel path to a quiet picnic area, and the Lockhart Ranch Trail consists of a choice of loops that are both on old dirt roads. Learn more about accessibility in Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area.
Wyoming State Parks
Wyoming has 12 state parks spread throughout the state, all of which offer their own unique scenery and experiences. Many of Wyoming’s state parks feature campsites, yurts and cabins that are ADA accessible, along with overlooks, wildlife viewing, hiking, beaches and more.
Interested in fishing? Five of Wyoming’s state parks have fishing piers that feature accessible options: Curt Gowdy State Park, Edness K. Wilkins State Park, Hot Springs State Park, Medicine Lodge Archaeological Site and Seminoe State Park. Learn more about recreating in state parks.
