The Complete Wheelchair Accessible Guide to Grand Tetons National Park
If you love the mountains and visiting the national parks, then Grand Tetons needs to be on your bucket list. This park offers incredible scenery, accessible places to stay and plenty of wheelchair accessible ways to experience the great outdoors. In this guide to wheelchair accessible Grand Tetons National Park, I’ll give you all you need to know to plan your trip here.
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Important Information About the Tetons
Elevation: 6,320-6,800 feet in the valley and up to 13,775 feet at the tallest peak.
Where it’s Located: Wyoming
Size of the Park: About 310,000 acres
Wheelchair Accessible Guide to Grand Tetons National Park: Getting to the Park
The closest airport is Jackson Hole (JAC), and it is right in the national park itself. If you are flying to visit the park, this is the best airport to use. However, if you would like to combine your visit to the Tetons with other national parks (such as Rocky Mountain, Arches or Yellowstone National Parks), other possible airports include, Denver International Airport (DEN or DIA), Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) or Bozeman International Airport (BZN).
The other option is you could drive to the park and make it part of a larger road trip. This is a fantastic way to combine several national parks and other popular sites into your trip. Of course, this is a better option if you have a longer period of time you can dedicate to your trip.
Wheelchair Accessible Places to Stay When Visiting Grand Tetons National Park
First, you must make the decision on whether you want to stay inside or outside of Grand Teton National Park. Both have their pros and cons. Staying inside of the park will be more expensive, but can cut down on driving time, while staying outside of the park can sometimes be cheaper and offer more options for restaurants.
Pro Tip: If you plan to visit both Grand Teton National Park as well as Yellowstone, I highly recommend that you don’t stay in one place during your trip and instead move to locations that are closer to each park to help cut down on time wasted driving to get where you want to go within the parks.
Wheelchair Accessible Accommodations Inside the Park
Hotels and Lodges
There are a couple of hotels and lodges or ranches to choose from when you want to stay within Grand Tetons National Park. The places I mention below are fully ADA accessible with roll-in showers. Additional properties may be available if you do not require a roll-in shower.
Jackson Lake Lodge
This lodge has 20 rooms labeled as accessible, 4 of which have roll-in showers. There are onsite restaurants, but the grill is not accessible. Guests with mobility problems can sit in the nearby Mural restaurant and order off the grill menu if they choose. Most other common areas are wheelchair accessible.
Headwaters Lodge at Flagg Ranch
Located in the northernmost area of the park, this lodge has one accessible room with a roll-in shower and four accessible rooms without a roll-in shower.
Signal Mountain Lodge
This lodge has 2 fully ADA accessible rooms with roll-in showers. There is also a gift shop, restaurant and registration building that are wheelchair compliant.
Dornans Spur Ranch
For a unique experience, you can stay in one fully ADA accessible cabin that has grab bars and a roll-in shower. Ramps make this cabin, as well as other shops and restaurants on site accessible. Activities such as horseback riding may not be fully accessible, but the ranch will do its best to accommodate individuals.
Triangle X Ranch
This ranch also has one fully ADA accessible cabin with a roll-in shower. The main house on the property can also be accessed by a ramp. A public restroom in a separate building is also accessible. The activities offered may not be fully accessible, so speak with staff about how they may be able to accommodate you.
Wheelchair Accessible Campgrounds in Grand Teton National Park
Gros Ventre Campground
Offering 10 ADA sites with electric hook-ups and ADA accessible restrooms, this campground is a convenient place to stay. Sites are mostly level with compacted dirt and gravel. No ADA showers are available.
Colter Bay Campground
This campground has 13 ADA sites with electric hook-ups and partially accessible restrooms. There is an amphitheater here where ranger programs are held that can be accessed by paved paths with some inclines and declines. This campground is in the northern area of the park.
Colter Bay RV Park
Of the 112 sites in this RV park, 4 have been widened for wheelchair users. Sites offer full hook-ups and partially accessible restrooms. No accessible showers are in this park. This RV Park is in the same area as Colter Bay Campground.
Headwaters Campground at Flagg Ranch
Offering 97 RV sites with electric hookups, most of this campground’s sites can accommodate wheelchairs, although they are not official ADA sites. Surface is compacted dirt and gravel. A fully accessible shower is available in the public restrooms. This is the northern most campground in the park.
Wheelchair Accessible Places to Stay Outside of the Park
Both hotels I’ve mentioned below would make excellent places to stay during your trip to Grand Tetons National Park. Do not be alarmed if the link says there are no available properties for your dates, I had to put mock dates in to generate these results. Also, the price you see may be per night price or for the total for the two-night stay that I put in for the mock booking. You can change the dates of your search to fit your trip when you click the links below.
Wyoming Inn of Jackson Hole
This warm and inviting hotel has western lodge decor and an onsite restaurant. Other amenities include free parking and free Wi-Fi as well as being 25 minutes away from Grand Teton National Park. The accessible room features a king bed with roll-in shower and a portable shower bench.
Homewood Suites by Hilton Jackson
If you want to save some money by staying in a suite with a full kitchen, then the Homewood Suites by Hilton is a great option. There is also free parking, free breakfast, free dinner (if staying Monday-Thursday), free Wi-Fi, and a free shuttle to Teton Village. The accessible room has one king bed and one sofa bed along with a roll-in shower with fold down bench.
Wheelchair Accessible Guide to Grand Tetons National Park : Wheelchair Rentals
There are two options for renting mobility equipment near the park. Depending on where you are starting your journey, may impact which company you choose to use.
Western Medical
Located in Jackson, Wyoming, Western Medical offers powered wheelchairs, mobility scooters, manual wheelchairs, hospital beds, patient lifts and more. Check online or call for availability and pricing.
Price Rite
Located in Bozeman Montanna, Price Rite offers rentals of manual wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs, hospital beds and patient lifts. If you are flying into Montanna, this may be a good option for you. Call or check online for pricing.
Wheelchair Accessible Guide to Grand Teton National Park: Getting Around
There are no shuttles within the park, so you will need your own vehicle. If you are not road tripping with your own adapted vehicle, you can rent one upon arrival. Nearby rental companies offering this service include Wheelchair Getaways (if flying into Salt Lake City) or AMS Van Rentals if you are flying into Wyoming or Montanna. Although AMS Van Rentals is based in Georgia, they can offer accessible van rentals in almost every state. Call their nationwide number to request a quote.
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10 Wheelchair Accessible Things to Do in Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park offers plenty of wheelchair-accessible things to do! From enjoying the incredible scenery, accessible hikes, a boat tour and so much more, there are plenty of accessible ways to experience this awe-inspiring national park.
1. Wheelchair Accessible Overlooks
Along the scenic drives within Grand Teton National Park, there is no shortage of beautiful overlooks and viewing areas. While some of these have designated parking, some do not. Most of the views can be seen right from your vehicle, but you may want to get out to take pictures. I mean, I took hundreds of photos…. the scenery never gets old.
Here are my top three favorite overlooks (but you should really stop at all of them):
- Snake River Overlook
There is one accessible parking space and a short, paved path to the viewing area. Amsel Adams took some famous photographs at this spot.
- Oxe Bow Bend
No designated parking spots but a popular wildlife viewing area.
- Glacier View Turnout
Designated parking and a small placard with description. This is a great viewing area to spot the glaciers in the Teton Mountains.
2. Wheelchair Accessible Hikes and Trails in Grand Teton National Park
There are several trails that are partially or fully accessible located throughout the park. I will break them down into areas to make it easier to plan your itinerary.
Moose Area
Multi-Use Pathway
This paved pathway leads from Jackson, Wyoming to the south of Jenny Lake. It is 20.5 miles in length and runs parallel to US 26/89/191 and then follows Teton Park Road taking you through some of the prettiest sections of the park. Some sections are closed from October to April due to wildlife.
Jenny Lake Area
South Jenny Lake
Start at the visitor center, take the paved pathway to the viewing, and overlook area, then continue left. The accessible portion of the trail ends at the bridge. The views of the Teton Mountain Range are wonderful and there is a point where wheelchair users can roll to the edge of the lake.
If you can make it onto the wooden bridge, you will see incredible scenery looking down the stream to the lake.
String Lake Trail
Park at the Leigh Lake trailhead where there is designated handicap spots and accessible restrooms. Take the paved trail to the “T” and make a left (to the right are stairs). Follow the compacted dirt trail for about 1/2 mile or until you get to the bridge. The bridge signifies the end of the accessible portion and connects to other trails.
During this hike, you will roll along String Lake and take in incredible mountain vistas. You will pass over a short boardwalk in a marshy area before continuing the compacted dirt trail. There are some tree roots that can easily be avoided. There are benches along the way for people with limited mobility that may need to stop and rest, or who just want to enjoy the views.
This was my favorite trail in the park.
Jackson Lake and Colter Bay Area Trails
Jackson Lake Dam
Although the width and slope do not officially meet ADA standards, there is a small section of this paved trail that I was able to do on my mobility scooter. Parking is available just by the dam, or a larger lot with restrooms is available just above the dam, with a paved pathway leading to a small overlook. This allows for an up-close look at the dam and at Jackson Lake.
Colter Bay
Begin at the Colter Bay Marina, which is best accessed through the amphitheater north of the visitor center for a short .3-mile trail to Jackson Lake. This is a paved trail and mostly flat, although there are some areas where the pavement has buckled.
Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve
Located in the southern area of Grand Teton National Park, this small preserve offers the chance to see a waterfall and overlook a pond. Park in the gravel parking lot (that has designated handicap parking) and roll up the paved trail to the main visitor center. There will be accessible bathrooms here if you need them.
Take the trail to the right where it turns to compacted dirt and becomes a bit narrow. When the trail turns to a “T”, on the left will be an accessible overlook of the pond and to the right (and then another right) is where the waterfall is. Beyond the waterfall, the trail becomes inaccessible.
Make sure to be bear-aware and make noise as you are hiking this trail. I saw a pile of bear scat (aka poop) right in the middle of the trail. While the trail is fairly narrow, I was able to navigate it on my mobility scooter.
3. Watch for Wildlife
Grand Teton National Park is known for its excellent wildlife viewing. Be sure to be on the lookout for moose, black bears, grizzly bears, pronghorn, mule deer, elk, and even bison. Wildlife has the best chance of being seen at dawn and dusk due to the cooler temperatures and fewer people, but they can be seen at any time of day.
Pro Tip: Watch for cars pulled over and a bunch of people looking in the same direction because there is most likely wildlife in the area.
4. Take a Scenic Boat Ride on Jenny Lake
While you’re at Jenny Lake for your accessible hike, consider taking a scenic boat ride across the lake. The national park service offers two types of rides. One is just a shuttle to the other side of the lake, allowing hikers to access additional trails and the other is an hour-long scenic boat ride.
Both boats are wheelchair accessible, and a ramp is used to board the boats. Check out Jenny Lake Boat tours for times and costs.
5. Ride a Gondola for Another Perspective
In Teton Village, which is located along Moose-Wilson Rd, you can take an accessible tram up the mountains for a unique perspective. This tram holds up to one hundred people and is narrated in the summer months. Once at the top, you will be at over 10,000 feet in elevation.
6. Attend a Ranger Program
Ranger programs are held in various locations within the park and area a great way to learn more about the park’s history, geology, and wildlife. Check at the visitor’s centers for schedules and topics.
7. See What Life Was Like in Menor’s Ferry
When settlers were moving west during the Westward Expansion, there were a few communities that settled in the Teton area. Menor’s Ferry was one of those communities. The area was given its name as a man with the last name of Menor built the first ferry to cross the river utilizing a cable line and a boat.
It was the only ferry for miles and allowed the passage of goods to safely cross the river. Menor also had a general store to sell goods. Visitors can explore this area in the park and see the remnants of the buildings, cable line and boat ferry by using a paved pathway. Although the pathway is too narrow to meet ADA standards, I had no problem getting around on my mobility scooter.
This area also contains the cabin where locals met in the hopes of designating the area as a national park to conserve its beauty for all to see.
8. Visit the Chapel of the Transfiguration
This log-style church was built in the 1920’s and offers iconic views of the Teton Mountains through the window at its’ altar. Worship services are still held here today and everyone is welcome to join. There is seating both inside and outside of the chapel.
Located near Menor’s Ferry, there is a large parking lot with designated handicap parking. Accessible vault toilet-style restrooms are also in the area. A paved pathway leads to the church and there is a small ramp allowing people of all abilities to enter.
9. Take in the Views on Mormon Row
Mormon Row is the road that houses old barns and buildings from when the Mormon’s came westward in the pursuit to be able to worship freely. Life was difficult and they formed a community to help each other out. Today, the barns from this area are some of the most photographed and iconic sites in Grand Teton National Park.
10. Drive Up Signal Mountain
Signal Mountain is probably one of the lesser visited areas in the park. However, this drive and the viewpoints at its summit are not to be missed. On your way to the top, make sure to keep an eye out for wildlife. I went to the summit twice during my stay and saw both elk and mule deer both times right next to the road.
The summit has two overlooks, neither of which have any designated parking spaces. The lookout at the very top offers great views of the valley within the park. You can see some of the view from your car, and there is a somewhat steep dirt and gravel path to reach the official viewing area.
Planning Your Visit to Grand Tetons National Park as a Wheelchair User
The best way to ensure a great trip is to not skip the planning of your vacation. In this section, I’ll answer some commonly asked questions that come up when planning a trip to the Tetons. For more information on planning a trip to the national parks, make sure to check out this post.
How Much Time Do I Need to Visit the Grand Tetons?
To comfortably see the sites and do the activities I mentioned previously, allow yourself three days to visit Grand Teton National Park. However, if three days doesn’t work into your plans or the time you have available, you can get some of the major highlights in one or two days. Just know that you won’t see everything and should definitely plan on coming back.
When Should I Start Planning My Trip?
You should start planning your trip to Grand Teton National Park as soon as possible. This is an extremely popular place to visit, and lodging sells out up to a year or more in advance. If you require an accessible room, this is even more crucial as these rooms are limited.
As soon as you know the dates of your trip, look to see when reservations open for that period. If they are already open, book right away. Mark the dates on your calendar or set a reminder in your phone so you can book accommodations as soon as it becomes available if they aren’t already open.
In the case that accessible rooms are already sold out, keep checking back to see if there have been any cancellations.
When Should I Visit Grand Teton National Park?
While summer is the most popular time to visit due to the warmer weather, it’s also the busiest. Spring and fall may be slightly less busy and offer mild temperatures, however, there may be activity closures depending on weather conditions (like snow). Winter will be the least busy time but will also have the most closures which may impact what you can do and experience.
If you want to see newborn wildlife, spring is your best bet. If you want to experience the elk and moose mating seasons, when they are most active, late September and early to mid-October would be good months to visit. Just know that elk and moose can be more aggressive during this time as well, so keep your distance and respect that you are in their home.
Where’s the Best Place to See Wildlife in the Park?
The answer to this question depends on the wildlife you are hoping to see. The park is full of habitats that wildlife gravitates towards. To make things easier, I’ve listed below the type of animal that can be seen in the park as well as where they are commonly spotted.
- Moose– look for them in open areas, near water and where willows grow. Most common sightings are on Moose-Wilson Rd and Gros Ventre Rd.
- Elk– Signal Mountain drive to the summit
- Bear– Most often seen in the northern section of the park, but I saw one on Moose Rd.
- Deer– near sides of the road, in open fields and on Signal Mountain
- Pronghorn– open grassy fields and near water
Tips for Visiting Grand Teton National Park in a Wheelchair
Whether you have one or three days to visit the Tetons, you’ll want to use your time wisely. Here are my tips to make the most of your time in the park.
Download the Gypsy App
I used the Gypsy App when I visited Grand Teton National Park, and it provided so much interesting information. It was like having your own personal tour guide in the car with you. It uses technology to know exactly where you are in the park and provides you with the corresponding information based on your location.
The app itself is free to download, and you only pay for the tours you want or need. They also do combination tours for parks near each other, so you can purchase one tour for both the Tetons and Yellowstone. Tours are reasonably priced and offer a lot of value. Best of all, tours do not require the use of data or Wi-Fi!
Get an Early Start to Your Day
Even if you’re not a morning person, getting up early can be rewarding at Grand Teton National Park. You can catch a glorious sunrise, have a better chance of spotting wildlife, and have a full day to explore all that this park has to offer. This will be especially important if you have less than three days for your trip.
Pack a Lunch and Snacks to Fuel Your Energy
You may find that the elevation in the park takes its toll on you, finding yourself getting more tired doing everyday things. Make sure to take a break during your sightseeing to refuel. Having protein filled foods will give you some of that energy back.
Easy snacks I recommend are nuts, apples with peanut butter, protein bars, jerky, cheese and crackers, and trail mix.
Stay Hydrated
Higher elevations can make you dehydrate faster so it is super important to drink lots of water. As a solution, drinking fluids with electrolytes is helpful. You’ll need to drink much more than you usually do to help prevent feeling tired and sluggish (signs you are dehydrated). Most park visitor centers have water bottle filling stations to help keep your bottle full.
Protect Your Skin
One of the things that people often don’t think about is that at higher elevations, the sun can feel more intense, making it easier to get sunburned. That’s why it is important to protect your skin by using sunscreen, even if you don’t normally have to use it. If you have fair skin, like me, consider using a higher SPF to compensate for the higher elevation.
Wheelchair Accessible Guide to Grand Teton National Park: Packing List
Wondering what you’ll need when visiting the Tetons? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! Here are my must-haves for visiting the park.
Do you like collecting national park stamps or stickers? Make sure you have a book to collect them all in. I like this one because it also acts as a mini journal where you can keep notes and jot down things about your trip.
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Grand Tetons is at a higher elevation, and it is very easy to become dehydrated. Keep drinking as much as possible and use an insulated water bottle like this one to keep your water cool.
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A cooler is a must-have so you can take snacks and a picnic to enjoy while you are out exploring the park. Just make sure to properly dispose of all of your trash or take it with you. This protects the wildlife of the park.
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The sun can be more intense at higher elevations, making it easier to burn. Make sure to use a stronger sunscreen than you normally would to help protect your skin.
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Be prepared for all types of weather so it doesn’t keep you from sightseeing. A quick shower or rainy day shouldn’t ruin your trip. This rain poncho is designed especially for wheelchair users and is a great item to have during your travels.
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Mornings and evenings can get a little chilly. Make sure to bring layers so you are prepared for all types of weather. I love this long-sleeved tee because it also shows your love of the national parks.
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If you plan on looking for wildlife, binoculars are a must-have item. If you get lucky, you’ll see animals close up, but more often than not they are a distance away.
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Once you spot those amazing animals, you’ll of course want to snap a picture. While phone cameras have good technology, where they fail is when you have to zoom in. Since wildlife is best seen from a distance (for safety) you’ll want a camera with a good zoom on it. This is the one I personally use.
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Accidents and minor injuries happen, so make sure to have a good first-aid kit with you. This one has a little bit of everything and at an affordable price.
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For a complete list of my national park essentials, check out this post!
Wheelchair Accessible Guide to Grand Tetons National Park Recap
Grand Teton National Park makes for a great wheelchair-accessible vacation. It offers accessible lodging, trails, awe-inspiring views, the chance to spot wildlife, and so much more. I hope that his wheelchair-accessible guide to Grand Tetons National Park has answered all your questions and made it easy to plan your trip there. So, what are you waiting for… start planning your trip today!
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