Facilities in Yellowstone are being made physically accessible as quickly as possible within funding limitations. Most facilities described in this guide have been judged to be negotiable by wheelchair users without assistance. Those facilities that require assistance for wheelchair users are indicated. Facilities described as accessible do not necessarily comply fully with federal standards. Some accessible facilities are not marked with the international symbol. Your comments on accessibility are appreciated and should be directed to the Accessibility Coordinator, P.O. Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, 82190. Phone: (307) 344-2018.

Golden Access Passport

Blind and permanently disabled persons can obtain a Golden Access Passport. This is a free lifetime entrance pass to federal parks, historic sites and recreation areas which charge entrance fees. The Golden Access Passport admits the permit holder and any accompanying passengers in a single and private vehicle. It can be obtained from any visitor center or entrance station. Discounts are also given on federal use fees charged for camping, boat launching, etc. It does not cover fees charged by private concessionaires.

Rest Rooms

Accessible rest rooms with sinks and flush toilets are located at all developed areas except West Thumb and Norris. Accessible vault toilets are found at West Thumb, Norris, most scenic areas, and picnic areas. They are recognized as small brown/gray concrete buildings, each housing a single toilet.

Accommodations

Accessible accommodations are found at Canyon, Grant Village, Old Faithful and Lake. Call Amfac Parks and Resorts at (307) 344-7311 for lodging information and reservations. Lodging registration personnel are prepared to assist you in obtaining accessible accommodations.

Camping

For the disabled visitor, accessible camping can be found at the following campgrounds. The RV Park at Fishing Bridge provides full hookup sites and accessible flush toilets. Madison, Canyon, Bridge Bay, and Grant have accessible campsites and rest rooms. These sites can be reserved in advance by calling (307) 344-7311. Indian Creek, Lewis Lake, Tower Fall, Slough Creek, and Pebble Creek have accessible vault toilets. Lewis Lake and Slough Creek Campgrounds have an accessible campsite.

Showers

Accessible showers are available at the Grant Village lodging units and Old Faithful Lodge.

Programs

In Discover Yellowstone, a publication available during the summer months throughout the park, accessible ranger-led activities are indicated. There are many accessible roadside interpretive exhibits throughout the park.

Wheelchairs

West Park Medical Services, the concessioner that provides medical services in Yellowstone National Park, has rental wheelchairs available at their medical facilities located in Mammoth, Lake, and Old Faithful. They require a $300 deposit and charge a rental fee of $10 per day. The deposit is refunded when the wheelchair is returned. Some park visitor centers also have wheelchairs available.

Accessible Fishing Site

There is an accessible fishing ramp and platform on the Madison River at the Mt. Haynes Overlook. This site is situated approximately 3.5 miles west (downstream) of Madison Junction or 10 miles east of the West Entrance Station.

Backcountry Camping

There is an accessible backcountry campsite at Ice Lake. The site can be reached from the trailhead located approximately 3 miles east of Norris Junction or 10 miles west of Canyon. The site is situated about one-half mile from the trailhead on an accessible backcountry trail. This site is reserved for those with disabilities, parents with children under 6 years of age, and adults over 62 years of age. Call the NPS Backcountry Office at (307) 344-2160 for information and reservations for this site.

BRIDGE BAY

Stores. Hamilton Store at the Marina is accessible from boat ramp area.

Rest Rooms. Campground (Loop A) and at picnic area on Marina entrance road.

Parking. At rest rooms only.

Amphitheater. Access with assistance via paved path from the north side. Park next to the rest room in "D" loop.

Lodging. Two specially designed lodging units are available in the Cascade Lodge.

Food Service. Dining Room, Lounge, Snack Shop, and Cafeteria in Canyon Lodge; Fountain Service in Hamilton Store.

Stores. Hamilton Store, Nature Shop, Canyon Gift Shop.

Rest Rooms. Nature Shop, Canyon Lounge, Canyon Lodge Cafeteria, Service Station, Campground (westernmost rest room, Loop L), and adjacent to Visitor Center (with assistance).

Parking. In front of Canyon Lodge, Hamilton Store, and Visitor Center.

Laundry. In Camper Services Building at entrance to campground. Access must be made from the rear of the building.

Amphitheater. Best access is via paved path from north side of road between the gas station and campground. Park on the shoulder.

Visitor Center. Building is accessible.

Post Office. Building is accessible.


Scenic Areas near Canyon:

On the South Rim Drive. Artist Point offers a view of the Lower Falls, and Uncle Tom's Overlook offers a view of the Upper Falls.

On the North Rim Drive. No curbs have been cut on the North Rim Loop Drive. With assistance, views of the canyon can be enjoyed from the parking area at Inspiration Point (overlook is not accessible) and from the Grandview Overlook.

Camping. Concession-operated recreational vehicle park with full hookups.

Food Service. Fountain Service in Hamilton General Store.

Stores. Hamilton General Store.

Rest Rooms. Hamilton General Store and on the east side of the visitor center (museum) parking lot with assistance.

Parking. On east side of visitor center parking lot.

Visitor Center (Museum). Center portion of museum is accessible.

Amphitheater. At Visitor Center.

Laundry. In Camper Services Building at entrance to RV Park. No curb is cut at this facility so assistance will be needed. No accessible rest rooms are available in this building.


Scenic Areas near Fishing Bridge:

LeHardy Rapids (between Canyon and Fishing Bridge). The trail from the north parking lot is accessible and marked. No parking is designated.

Mud Volcano (between Canyon and Fishing Bridge). Lower Loop is accessible, including spur to Dragons Mouth. Start at north end of the parking lot. At boardwalk junction beyond the Mud Volcano turn left and return to parking lot. Lower Rest Rooms are accessible.

Lodging. Twelve specially designed lodging units. Lodging Registration Building is accessible.

Food Service. Restaurant and Snack Shop, Fast Food in Hamilton General Store.

Stores. Hamilton General Store, Gift Shop in Lodging Registration Building.

Rest Rooms. Hamilton Store, Restaurant, Visitor Center (with assistance), Campground (Loop A).

Parking. In front of Lodging Registration Building, Restaurant, accessible lodging facilities, Visitor Center, Post Office, and Hamilton General Store.

Visitor Center. Building is accessible.

Amphitheater. Best access is from Visitor Center.

Showers. Accessible showers are available at the Grant Village lodging units. Go to Lodging Registration Building for information.

Laundry. In Camper Service Building on campground entrance road. No curb has been cut for this facility so assistance will be required. No accessible rest rooms exist in this building.

Post Office. Building is accessible.


Scenic Areas near Grant Village:

West Thumb. Information Station and upper loop are accessible. Lower loop has grades up to 10%, but no steps. Accessible Rest Rooms are near the center of the parking lot.

Lodging. Five specially designed lodging units are available in the Sandpiper Annex of the Lake Yellowstone Hotel. A wheelchair is available for assistance at the Lake Yellowstone Hotel.

Food Service. Lake Hotel Dining Room and Lounge, and *Lake Lodge Cafeteria.

Stores. Hamilton General Store, Gift Shops in Lake Hotel and *Lake Lodge.

Rest Rooms. Outside Hamilton General Store, Lake Hotel and *Lake Lodge.

Parking. In front of Sandpiper Annex of the Lake Yellowstone Hotel.

Medical. Hospital. No rest rooms are accessible for wheelchair users.

Post Office. Building is accessible.

*No curb has been cut to access the Lake Lodge so assistance will be required.

Camping. Accessible Rest Rooms in Loop A.

Amphitheater. At Madison Museum and Picnic Area with assistance.


Scenic Areas near Madison:

Terrace Springs (just north of Madison Junction). All features accessible. A steep grade exists in the middle of the loop which requires assistance.

Lodging. Available in the Aspen dormitory of the Mammoth Hotel during the winter season only.

Food Service. Terrace Grill and Dining Room (accessible through Terrace Grill entrance). There are no accessible rest rooms in the Dining Room, although rest rooms are available in the adjoining Terrace Grill.

Stores. Gift Shop in Mammoth Hotel.

Rest Rooms. Visitor Center (third floor access via elevator at rear), Terrace Grill, and Hotel lobby.

Parking. Next to the Terrace Grill. On the west side and rear of the visitor center.

Visitor Center (Museum). Access in rear with assistance. Press the call button marked at the top of the ramp for assistance.

Medical. Clinic (accessible in rear). No accessible rest rooms are available.


Scenic Areas near Mammoth:

Mammoth Hot Spring Terraces. A great deal of the Mammoth Hot Spring Terraces can be seen from your vehicle as you drive the main road and the Terrace Loop Drive. Obtain interpretive brochure at the Albright Visitor Center. As you drive up to the Terrace Loop Drive from the bottom of the terraces, there is a pullout from which you can get a good view of Canary Springs.

An accessible boardwalk to the top of Canary Spring was recently completed. Parking for this boardwalk is located a short distance from the start of the Upper Terrace one way loop drive.

Rest Rooms. In Geyser Basin Parking Area.

Parking. Closest space to museum.

Visitor Center (Museum). The west half of the museum is accessible.

Amphitheater. At Norris Campground, with assistance.


Scenic Areas at Norris Geyser Basin:

Norris Geyser Basin. Portions of Porcelain Basin and the Back Basin are accessible from the Norris Museum with some assistance required (because of steep grades and side slopes). Consult the area brochure for route selection.

Lodging. Eight specially designed lodging units are available in the Old Faithful Inn. The Inn is accessible from the rear without assistance and from the front with assistance. The Old Faithful Snowlodge has one accessible cabin.

Food Service. Old Faithful Inn Dining Room, Lounge and Snack Shop; Old Faithful Lodge Cafeteria, Lounge, and Snack Bar; Four Seasons Snack Shop. No curb has been cut for the Four Seasons Snack Shop so assistance will be required to access the facility.

Stores. Upper and Lower Hamilton General Stores; Gift Shop in the Old Faithful Inn, and Old Faithful Lodge, Photo Shop.

Rest Rooms. Visitor Center, Old Faithful Inn (one unisex unit), Old Faithful Lodge (two unisex units).

Parking. Designated parking at the front and rear of the Old Faithful Inn, in front of the Old Faithful Lodge, in front of the Snowlodge, Lower and Upper Hamilton Stores, and opposite the Photo Shop (for the Visitor Center).

Visitor Center. Best access is from handicapped parking opposite Photo Shop.

Medical. Building is fully accessible.

Shower. An accessible public shower exists in one of the unisex bathrooms at the Old Faithful Lodge.


Scenic Areas near Old Faithful:

Biscuit Basin (north of Old Faithful). No curb cut, but no steps on the boardwalk.

Black Sand Basin (just north of Old Faithful). No curb cut, but no steps on the boardwalk.

Fountain Paint Pots (between Old Faithful and Madison). Steps on the boardwalk halfway around loop. Clockwise, loop leads to paintpots, and geyser overlook platform, may require assistance. Counter-clockwise, level loop leads to geysers.

Firehole Lake Drive (between Old Faithful and Madison). All thermal features are accessible.

Old Faithful Area (Upper Geyser Basin). Old Faithful geyser is accessible from the Visitor Center. An accessible bike/pedestrian path leads from the Visitor Center 1.5 miles to Morning Glory Pool - 3 miles round trip. This path is also accessible from the Lower Hamilton General Store near Old Faithful Inn. Castle Geyser and Crested Pool are only 0.2 miles from this point. This access also reduces the round-trip distance to Morning Glory Pool to 2.4 miles. There are no steps on on the boardwalks in the Old Faithful area but there are three steep sections (one behind Old Faithful Geyser, one between Old Faithful and Gesyer Hill, where the trail crosses the river, and one between Castle Geyser and Grand Geyser, where the trail crosses the river). These may require assistance. Inquire at the Old Faithful Visitor Center for more information.

Keppler Cascades (between Old Faithful and West Thumb). No curb cut, but no steps to overlook.

Food Service. Roosevelt Lodge at Tower Junction, Hamilton Store at Tower Fall.

Stores. Hamilton General Store at Tower Fall.

Rest Rooms. Adjacent to Hamilton General Store at Tower Fall. Roosevelt Lodge and Service Station at Tower Junction.

Parking. In front of Tower Fall Store and Roosevelt Lodge.

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