As I was cruising down Interstate 15 near Kanarraville, Utah yesterday, I notice that the Kolob Canyons exit was closed. This was a bit troubling to me, as it’s one of my favorite parts of Zion National Park — mostly because the bulk of the crowds flock to Zion Canyon and completely pass up the Kolob Canyons Scenic Byway. Continue reading
Category Archives: National Parks
Candy’s Top Five Accessible Yellowstone Picks
Yellowstone National park is the quintessential road trip destination. Many folks have fond memories of packing up the family station wagon and heading over to Wyoming to experience this national treasure in their youth; while others have the nation’s first national park on their bucket list. I was pleased to be able to spend two months there last year while I researched Barrier-Free Travel; Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks for Wheelers and Slow Walkers (www.BarrierFreeYellowstone.com); and in that time I left no stone unturned in my search for cool accessible trails and attractions. And although it’s hard to pick one favorite, here are my top five accessible Yellowstone must-dos. Continue reading
National Park Service Announces Modest Fee Increases
The accessible Trail of the Cedars in Glacier National Park
In response to a massive influx of complaints, the National Park Service announced yesterday that it will drastically scale back their original plan to raise entrance fees in some of the nation’s most popular national parks. The original proposal called for nearly doubling the entrance fees during the peak season at 17 national parks. Continue reading
Deal Directly with National Park Concessionaires for Best Access
Lake Yellowstone Hotel
Researching national park access can be tedious, especially where lodging is concerned. National park lodges are operated by concessionaires, who operate under strict guidelines, and are responsible for the repair, improvement and daily operation of the facilities. Continue reading
Reflections on Washington National Parks – My Five Favorite Accessible Travel Finds
Now that my newest national park title is released (www.barrierfreeolympic.doc), it’s time to sit back and reflect on my time in Mount Rainier, Olympic and North Cascades national parks. Even though these Washington state gems contain some pretty rugged terrain, they also boast a veritable treasure trove of accessible trails, attractions and lodging options. And although it’s hard to pick just one favorite, here are my top five accessible travel finds in Washington’s national parks. Continue reading
National Parks to Remain Open During Government Shutdown
You just can’t beat the view in Grand Canyon National Park
There’s nothing more frustrating than planning all year for a vacation, only to have it ruined by an unforeseen event, such as a government shutdown. I know this first hand, as I was out and about covering some national parks during the 2013 shutdown, and the gates were locked and facilities were closed. I had to reschedule my visits at a later time, so I could complete my book. Trust me, I was not a happy camper. Continue reading
Looking Forward to a More Accessible Future
Work underway at The Lake House Restaurant in Grant Village
I’ve been writing about accessible travel for over 20 years now, and I can honestly say that I’ve see a lot of improvements since I first started. Years ago it was hard to find an accessible room at all, and now many hotels have pool lifts. Yes, I know there is always room for improvement, but I’m pleased at the direction that the hospitality industry is moving. Continue reading
Great Winter Deals at Lake Quinault Lodge
Lake Quinault Lodge
If you’re looking for a heck of a winter hotel deal, then look no further than Lake Quinault Lodge. Located just outside of Olympic National Park on the south shore of Lake Quinault, this Northwestern Washington lodge is offering rates that start at a very affordable $87, from now until April 30, 2018. Continue reading
Proposed National Park Fee Increases
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve most likely heard about the proposed peak season fee increase for 17 US National Parks. The National Park Service recently announced this increase, and cited that the additional funds are needed for repair, upkeep and improvements to the national parks. That said, it’s still a proposed increase, and if adopted it will only be effective during the peak seasons of these parks. The peak season fee at the following parks will increase to $70 under his proposal. Continue reading
Access Upgrades Abound in Glacier National Park
The accessible Trail of the Cedars in Glacier National Park
If you’ve been watching the news lately, you’ve probably heard about the wildfires in Glacier National Park. Yes, it is smoky here, and some days are certainly better than others, but with the wildfires near my home in the Sierras are producing quite a bit of smoke too. The firefighters are doing a good job of protecting the historic structures in the park, none of which are immediately threatened. The did lose Sperry Chalet, but that was in a remote area of the park, and quite difficult to protect. A small portion of the park is closed near Lake McDonald Lodge, mostly as a precautionary measure, and to give firefighters unfettered access should the need arise to actively fight the flames near the park’s lakeside properties. Continue reading