Author: Cecilia

Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef National Park –
“Located in south-central Utah in the heart of red rock country, Capitol Reef National Park is a hidden treasure filled with cliffs, canyons, domes, and bridges in the Waterpocket Fold, a geologic monocline (a wrinkle on the earth) extending almost 100 miles.”
For easy walking, we loved the canyon floors at Capitol Reef. These sand and gravel surfaces would bog down a wheelchair, but we did meet one intrepid wheelchair user who was enjoying the spectacular beauty from the paved roads. You can arrange for a driver to take you into the beautiful Cathedral Valley. My photographers and writers club, Rocky Mountain Outdoor Writers and Photographers, used Hondoo Rivers and Trails in Torrey. This park is not as crowded as many of the better known national parks in the west.
Here is the Park website.  Phone 435-425-3791   Map   Accessibility   Brochure
Wheelchair AccessibleThe petroglyphs along Utah Highway 24 are accessible by boardwalk.

Capitol Gorge 1 mile

Goose Necks 0.1 mile

Grand Wash 2.2 miles

Sunset Point 0.4 mile

Canyon floor, Capitol Reef National Park
Canyon floor, Capitol Reef National Park
Cathedral Valley, Capitol Reef National Park
Cathedral Valley, Capitol Reef National Park

Zion National Park

Zion National Park
Located at the junction of the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert regions, the Zion has a unique geography and a variety of life zones.  The Virgin River flows through the 15 mile long Zion Canyon’s towering red and tan walls.
Here is the Park website.  Phone 435-772-3256 Accessibility  Map and Brochure  Hiking Map and Guide

Virgin River and Wheelchair accessible paved Riverside Walk, Zion National Park UT
Accessible Riverside Walk, Zion National Park UT

Wheelchair AccessiblePa’rus Trail 3.5 miles  “Paved trail follows the Virgin River from the South Campground to Canyon Junction.”
Wheelchair AccessibleRiverside Walk 2.2 miles.  “Minor drop-offs. Paved trail follows the Virgin River along the bottom of a narrow canyon. Trailside exhibits.”
Lower Emerald Pool Trail 1 mile paved with some minor drop-offs.
Grotto Trail 1.2  mile connects the Zion Lodge to the Grotto and is near the road most of the way.

Big Bend National Park

Big Bend National Park
“Big Bend National Park is a geological marvel evidenced in sea fossils and dinosaur bones to volcanic dikes that mar the desert landscape. It’s a world of species diversity from the meandering river corridor that sidles across the desert floor to the sky island ridge tops that reach for the stars.”  In addition to the accessible trails, there are about six day hikes described as “easy”.  Check with the Park to be sure.
Here is the Park website.   Phone 432-477-2251   Maps  Maps of Chisos Basin and Rio Grande Village with trails.    Accessibility
Wheelchair AccessiblePanther Path 50 yard loop “self-guiding nature trail at Panther Junction, is rough, but level and useable by people in wheelchairs. An accompanying brochure explains Chihuahuan Desert plants.
Wheelchair AccessibleWindow View Trail 0.3 mile in the Chisos Basin “provides outstanding views of the window formation and the Chisos Mountains.”
Wheelchair AccessibleHikerwithcaneRio Grande Village Nature Trail Boardwalk.  0.75 mile loop. “The first 100 yards is wheelchair accessible and crosses a boardwalk through a spring-fed wetland”.  The trail is an “excellent place for observing birds and aquatic plants and animals.”  There is a self-guiding booklet.
HikerwithcaneChihuahuan Desert Nature Trail 0.5 mile round trip  “On this easy desert stroll you will see remnants of human settlement and typical Chihuahuan Desert habitat. A shady oasis with cottonwood trees and tables at Dugout Wells provides a good area for picnicking and bird watching.”

Edith L. Moore Sanctuary – Houston

Bridge at Edith L. Moore Sanctuary
Bridge at Edith L. Moore Sanctuary
© Houston Audubon Society

Edith L. Moore Sanctuary
“Maintained by the Houston Audubon Society, the sanctuary is 18 acres of hardwood and pine forest and freshwater habitats.  The sanctuary ‘provides a special place to experience nature in our city.'”
Here is the Sanctuary website.   Phone 713-932-1639 Map
Online Trail Guide.
Wheelchair Accessible” The trails are well marked, evenly graded and easily traversed. There are both mulched and board-walked paths. The log cabin has wheel chair ramps and an accessible restroom facility. There are two trails that are not wheelchair-safe – these are the ‘bumpy trail’ on the north end of the property along Rummel Creek and ‘west bank trail’ on the east side of the pond.”

Edith L Moore cabin - wheelchair accessible from the other side.© Houston Audubon Society
Edith L. Moore cabin, which is wheelchair accessible from the other side.
© Houston Audubon Society
Path at Edith L. Moore Sanctuary
Path at Edith L. Moore Sanctuary
© Houston Audubon Society