National Park Disability Pass (Access Pass) and Why National Parks are a Great Place to Visit
Saint Augustine once wrote, “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” Our national parks are like different chapters in that book that the world has to offer. Each one has its own character, diversity of scenery, and amazing treasures to discover. There is a reason that these special places are being preserved. And when you visit them with your national park’s disability pass or access pass, they each provide their own adventure.
They also just happen to be a great destination for people who are differently-abled. The United States national parks system tries to strike the balance of preserving nature for everyone while making it accessible to everyone. In part, they do this by offering the access pass to disabled individuals. This pass allows for free entry into the national parks as well as some other national sites. It also offers discounts on tours and camping.
National Parks Disability Pass or ADA Park Pass
The pass has a one-time fee of $10 and doesn’t expire. You will need proof of residency in the United States as well as documentation from your doctor stating that you are permanently disabled. You can get an access pass in person at any national park or historical site (call to make sure they have them in stock) or order one online. Here is the link to the site to get your access pass: https://store.usgs.gov/access-pass.
What Does the Disability Park Pass or Access Pass Get Me?
The disability (access) pass will get you and anyone in your vehicle into the national parks free for life. It will also grant you access to any national monument, lakeshore or historic site. In fact, there are over 100 of these sites across the United States.
When possible, accessible tours are offered at each of the national parks and can vary from each park. Accessible tours and trails can be found on each park’s website by visiting www.nps.gov. Your pass may get you a discount on these tours. Each park also has accessible parking and restroom facilities.
If a park or other national site offers camping, you usually get a discount on that as well (with your pass). Typically, at least one of the campgrounds within these areas has an ADA accessible site. Accessible accommodation can also sometimes be found in the lodges (but no discount is available).
Why You Should Consider Visiting National Parks
You Can Get in Touch with Nature
National parks offer so much diversity, there is definitely something for everyone. Whether you want to summit mountains, stand in the shadows of the great Sequoias and giant redwoods, see erupting geysers, roll through ancient rock formations, marvel at the Grand Canyon, or just simply be closer to nature there is no wrong or bad choice. In fact, each park is so unique, I hope to visit as many as possible.
National Parks Offer Accessibility
As I mentioned before, most national parks make efforts to make these places accessible to people of all abilities. Many parks have accessible trails, lookouts, and scenic drives available.
Some parks, such as Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado even offer free beach wheelchairs that you can sign out for either half or full-day use (just leave your photo ID for collateral). This allows people with limited or no mobility the opportunity to explore the sand dunes up close for themselves. I had the opportunity to try them out and it worked fantastically. However, they are not motorized so you will need someone to push you.
Amazingly, even some of the caves in the national park system are wheelchair accessible. So far, I have visited Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky and Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota. Both have elevators that allow people with mobility issues to explore parts of the caves. You can check out my reviews of these parks for full accessibility information and reviews.
Visiting the National Parks Can Offer Cool Experiences
I have found that national parks (and the other places associated with them) offer some really great experiences. When I visited Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, I got to try out an All-Terrain Tracks Chair. It was incredible and let me experience a whole new level of freedom.
Final Thoughts on the National Park Disability Pass
From the beauty that our national parks offer to getting to experience new things, each park truly has something special to offer each visitor. My hope is that you will be inspired by just how accessible they are and visit them too someday. So go get your national park disability pass and start your journey today!
