We always start a national park visit at the visitor center. It’s a great way to get an overview of the park and connect with someone who can break down accessibility features and help you plan your trip.
When it was my turn to approach the counter, I asked the ranger to recommend his favorite accessible trails and views. He looked at me for a second and then said, “We don’t have any accessible trails.”
Yikes! As we began discussing possible options, he did remember the recent upgrades to Jenny Lake to allow wheelchair access. We scoured the map and couldn’t find anything else that looked accessible.
Surprisingly, we still found a lot that we could do and I’m grateful we made the effort for the phenomenal views. Here’s what makes Grand Teton National Park worth it for wheelchair users:
1. Accessible Visitor Centers & Restrooms
You’ll find accessible facilities at the Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center (Moose), Jenny Lake Visitor Center, Colter Bay Visitor Center, Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center and Flagg Ranch Information Station. All visitor centers have accessible parking and at least one accessible restroom. There are accessible exhibits and water bottle filling stations.
Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center (Moose), Jenny Lake Visitor Center and Colter Bay Visitor Center have wheelchairs available on loan and automatic or open doors.
We started our visit at Colter Bay and enjoyed the introductory film. There are also ranger programs right out back on the accessible deck. The lake access from the visitor center is not wheelchair accessible, but if you loop past the visitor center there is a boat entrance that may be manageable. It’s a wide gravel path, with a much slower incline.
2. Jenny Lake
The paved path to Jenny Lake offers one of the most scenic, wheelchair-friendly trails in the park. It’s beautiful! Don’t miss this one. From the parking lot, it’s a relatively short and mostly flat walk—about 0.1 miles from the nearest accessible parking spaces to the lake. This trail hugs the shoreline, giving you stunning views of the crystal-clear lake against the towering peaks of the Teton Range. Follow the trail to the right for access to the water, or to the left for the boat shuttle across the lake.
The full shore trail is 2 miles round-trip, but only the initial portion is easily navigable for wheelchairs. There’s also an accessible restroom, water fountain, gift shop, and food options.
3. Multi Use Trail
There’s a paved, multi use trail that runs along side Teton Park Road and continues down 191 to the southern exit. The trail is primarily used by bikers, but it’s a nice paved space for an accessible stroll. This may be the best way to take in the mountain views outside of a vehicle.
4. Accessible Accommodations
We didn’t stay in the park because it was part of a greater road trip through Yellowstone, but Grand Teton has a lot of accessible accommodations available. Many of the campgrounds have accessible sites, including Gros Ventre, Jenny Lake, and Colter Bay. These campgrounds feature relatively flat terrain, partially accessible restrooms, and paved areas.
Signal Mountain and Lizard Creek campgrounds are on hillier terrain, so access may be more challenging. If you’re staying near Flagg Ranch, check out the Grassy Lake Road campsites, which offer accessible vault toilets and easy access by vehicle.
If camping isn’t your thing, there are also accessible lodge options. From Jenny Lake Lodge to Signal Mountain Lodge and Jackson Lake Lodge, most facilities offer ADA rooms. Restaurants at these lodges are also equipped with accessible facilities, making dining out a hassle-free experience.
American Alpine Club Climber’s Ranch is the exception, as it doesn’t offer accessible accommodations. Be sure to call ahead and confirm your needs before booking any lodging.
5. Wayside Exhibits and Views
Grand Teton National Park ends up being a lot of driving… but it’s an absolutely incredible drive. There are a plethora of wayside exhibits and pull-off views that are wheelchair-accessible, complete with curb cuts and designated parking. You won’t miss out on the Teton’s many iconic views.
6. Dining with a View
This may have been one of my favorite parts. Most of the restaurants in Grand Teton are set up with a spectacular view. We ate at The Trapper Grill because my crew approved of the kids’ menu, but it looks like all of the restaurants are wheelchair accessible and have stunning views.
Another Thing You Need to Know…
Grand Teton National Park may actually be the least accessible national park we’ve visited, but I still felt it was worth it for the views. The famous T.A. Moulton barn view was really hard to get to. We pushed hard through loose gravel and lifted over ground obstacles.
Because most trails are not accessible, you could do this park as a drive-through… but that may make your kids bonkers. We enjoyed breaking it up with some water play at Jenny Lake. String Lake comes highly recommended by another wheelchair traveler, but I found that accessible Grand Teton itinerary after our trip!
