Physical / Mobility

 

Canyonlands National Park has several areas that are accessible for people with physical or mobility disabilities. Some districts are more accessible than others. The road at Island in the Sky passes many accessible viewpoints and facilities. The other districts have limited accessible facilities. This page provides details on accessible activities and facilities.

Trails
Canyonlands' trails may have steep and rocky surfaces with uneven slopes and loose sand or gravel.

Wilderness
Eighty-six percent of Canyonlands National Park is recommended wilderness and is managed as federally designated Wilderness. While mechanized forms of travel like wheeled vehicles are prohibited off park roads, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) allows you to use a wheelchair on trails if your disability requires use of a wheelchair. Wheelchairs must be suitable for indoor use in a pedestrian area.

 

Island in the Sky

Programs and Tours

Rangers offer programs spring through fall.

• Geology talks are offered at Grand View Point. A paved sidewalk leads from the parking lot to the program location, which is located off the sidewalk on a gravel surface. Seating on large boulders is available. Accessible toilets are nearby.
• Rangers offer patio talks on the front porch of Island in the Sky Visitor Center. The area is paved and accessible to wheelchairs. Accessible toilets are nearby.

Campground

Campsites

Island in the Sky Campground has one accessible campsite and nearby pit toilet. The campsite is reserved at all times for people with disabilities only. The campsite is paved with the exception of the tent pad, which is dirt. Paths to the toilet and campsite payment station are paved.

Pay Phone

There are no pay phones at the campground. The nearest pay phones are at Island in the Sky Visitor Center.

Routes

There are no paths through the campground. Travel through the campground is via the paved road, which may have some slopes.

Visitor Center

• Entrance: The front door does not have a push button opener.
• Parking: Accessible parking is available. The parking lot is paved.
• Toilets, water fountains: All toilets are wheelchair accessible. An accessible water fountain is inside the visitor center.
• Seating: Benches are located inside the visitor center and outdoors on the front patio.
• Pay phone: Pay phones are available in the visitor center parking area.
• Exhibits: Exhibits and the visitor center desk are structured to be accessible from a wheelchair.
• Routes: A slight ramp leads to the front door of the visitor center.
• Picnic tables: Picnic tables outside the visitor center are accessible to wheelchairs. Sidewalks are paved.

Trails and Facilities

These overlooks are accessible for people using a wheelchair.

• Buck Canyon Overlook
• Green River Overlook
• Grand View Point Overlook

All toilets at Island in the Sky are accessible.

 

The Needles

Programs and Tours

Rangers offer evening programs in spring and fall.

• Evening Programs are offered at The Needles campground amphitheater. Accessible toilets are nearby.

Campground

Campsites

The campground has two accessible standard sites. One site is always reserved only for people with disabilities. The other site is held for people with disabilities until 8 pm. After 8 pm, anyone may occupy that site for one night. Both sites offer wheelchair access to the fire ring, tent pad, and picnic tables. One site has cement surrounding the tent pad; the other site offers a paved walkway to the tent pad.

Bathrooms

All bathrooms in the campground are wheelchair accessible.

Emergency Phone

There is no cell phone service within the park. The nearest emergency phone is located at The Needles Visitor Center.

Amphitheater

Reaching the amphitheater may require climbing stairs. The walkway is gravel.

Routes

There are few paths through the campground. Paths to the toilet and campsite payment station are paved. There are paved roads throughout The Needles Campground, but the road has speed bumps that may be difficult for a wheelchair to navigate.

Group Campsites

There are three group campsites at The Needles. All sites are flat, but they all have gravel or deep sand, which could make wheelchair navigation difficult. Assistance may be required.

Visitor Center

• Entrance: The front door does not have a push button opener.
• Parking: Accessible parking is available. The parking lot is paved.
• Bathrooms, water fountains: Bathrooms are wheelchair accessible. An accessible water fountain is near the bathrooms.
• Seating: Benches are located inside the visitor center and outdoors on the front patio.
• Pay phone: Pay phones are available in the visitor center parking area. You will need a calling card; the phone does not accept credit cards or coins.
• Exhibits: Exhibits and the visitor center desk are structured to be accessible from a wheelchair.
• Picnic tables: Picnic tables outside the visitor center are accessible to wheelchairs. Sidewalks are paved.

Other Facilities

These facilities are accessible for people using a wheelchair.

• Wooden Shoe Overlook
• All toilets in The Needles district

Trails

All trails in The Needles district have rocky, uneven surfaces, steep slopes, and some drop-offs.

 

The Maze

Programs and Tours

Rangers offer hikes in Horseshoe Canyon in spring and fall. This is a strenuous hike covering 7 miles, part of this in deep sand, and includes a steep ascent of 650 feet elevation in 1 mile to exit the canyon.

Hans Flat Ranger Station

• Entrance: The front door does not have a push button opener. The ranger station has a wooden ramp that leads to the door. The approach to the visitor center is gravel.
• Parking: The parking area is gravel.
• Toilets: There is an accessible pit toilet at the ranger station. The surface approaching the toilet is gravel.
• Water: There is no running water at the ranger station or anywhere in The Maze district.
• Pay phones: There are no pay phones at ranger station or anywhere in The Maze district.

Trails

Trails in The Maze district have rocky, uneven surfaces, steep slopes, and drop-offs. No trails are accessible. Read more about hiking and backpacking at The Maze.