A Wheelchair Accessible Yellowstone National Park Travel Guide 

For years, I dreamed of visiting Yellowstone National Park and seeing iconic sights like Old Faithful Geyser and all of the wildlife that inhabit the park. After many years of putting off the trip, I finally decided to experience the grandeur of America’s very first national park in June 2025. I started planning this trip about a year in advance, and honestly, that wasn’t a bad idea because accommodations get booked pretty far in advance. Plus, that gave me more time to daydream about my wheelchair accessible Yellowstone National Park adventures and look forward to actually visiting! 

Once it was time for my mom, our friend Kayla, and I to go to Yellowstone, we flew from Atlanta to Salt Lake City, Utah. Yellowstone is quite far from Salt Lake City (it’s about a 5.5 hour drive from Salt Lake City to West Yellowstone, Montana), but wheelchair accessible rental van options are extremely limited near Yellowstone, so our closest options were either Salt Lake City or Boise, Idaho. We rented a wheelchair accessible van from MobilityWorks in Salt Lake City and it worked perfectly for our entire trip. 

We spent four nights in West Yellowstone, Montana in a wheelchair accessible cabin, which I’ll tell you about in just a bit. That gave us three full days in the national park, and every night after exploring the park all day, we enjoyed the sights and restaurants in West Yellowstone. West Yellowstone was a perfect base for us and I’d certainly recommend staying in this area. We spent some time in Grand Teton National Park as well, and you can read about that here.

Below, I’ll tell you all about our wheelchair accessible cabin and then I’ll let you know what we did during our three full days in Yellowstone. It was a phenomenal trip and I can assure you that if you follow this itinerary, you are sure to love Yellowstone National Park just as much as I did. Without a doubt, this was one of the best trips I’ve ever done in the U.S. It’s easy to see why Yellowstone is such an iconic American destination. 

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Where to Stay: Wheelchair Accessible Yellowstone National Park Accommodations 

Throughout our Yellowstone trip, we stayed in a wheelchair accessible cabin at the Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone, located in West Yellowstone, Montana. The cabin’s prime location, just minutes from Yellowstone National Park’s West entrance, made exploring the park every day incredibly convenient. 

The ease of access began right at the entrance of the cabin, with a well-designed ramp providing a smooth and effortless entry into the cabin. Once inside, the living room immediately impressed me with its spacious layout, featuring a comfortable pull-out sofa bed that would be perfect for additional guests, a huge television for entertainment, and a cozy fireplace. 

The kitchen was equally well-equipped and highly functional for someone using a wheelchair. I especially appreciated the pull-under sink, which allowed for easy access, and the readily available cooktop, microwave, and mini fridge for preparing meals. We did enjoy some delicious meals in West Yellowstone, but it was nice knowing that we had a kitchen in our cabin if we wanted it. 

Toward the back of the cabin was a bedroom with a luxurious king-sized bed. It was 29 inches tall and unfortunately, it did not have enough clearance underneath for a hoyer lift. A television was in the bedroom. 

The bathroom truly shone in its accessibility features. It was equipped with sturdy grab bars by the toilet, providing essential support, and a pull-under sink. The roll-in shower had smooth entry that eliminated any barriers and a fold-down shower seat was available. 

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Beyond the interior comforts, the cabin also offered an outdoor fire pit, providing a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the Yellowstone atmosphere under the stars. Complimentary s’mores kits were even provided each night of our stay! 

I absolutely loved our stay at the Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone, and I would definitely stay here again if I’m ever back in the area. If you’d like to learn more about these cabins or book a stay of your own, just click here. 

Day 1 in Yellowstone National Park 

Now, I’m going to tell you what we did each day in Yellowstone National Park. Let’s start with our first full day in Yellowstone! 

The Fountain Paint Pots Trail was my first delve into the park’s geothermal marvels. This half-mile long boardwalk trail provided a smooth and easy journey, allowing me to comfortably navigate and observe the hot springs, bubbling geysers, and mud pots. We spent about 45 minutes here, taking time to soak in the sights and sounds of this active landscape, and it was a perfect introduction to the national park. 

Next, we ventured to the Midway Geyser Basin, another fantastic example of Yellowstone’s accessibility. This half-mile fully accessible boardwalk trail guided me directly to some of the park’s most iconic features. I first encountered the impressive Excelsior Geyser, a testament to the immense power beneath the earth’s surface. 

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Continuing along the boardwalk at Midway Geyser Basin, we were then captivated by the Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone’s largest hot spring. It had vibrant, almost otherworldly colors and we were in awe of it. We spent a good bit of time here just admiring Grand Prismatic Spring and taking approximately one million photos.

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For lunch, we made our way to the historic Old Faithful Inn, where we enjoyed a delicious meal in the dining room. The lunch buffet offered a great selection, including hearty chili, perfectly fried fish, and savory pulled pork. It was a nice place to stop for lunch and we also enjoyed shopping for souvenirs in the Old Faithful Inn gift shop.

Of course, no visit to Yellowstone is complete without witnessing the iconic Old Faithful Geyser. We walked/rolled over to the geyser from the Old Faithful Inn, and we lucked out on a prime spot to watch the magnificent geyser erupt. Old Faithful shoots water up to 130 feet high, a truly breathtaking spectacle that occurs approximately every 90 minutes. It can be a bit of a waiting game for it to erupt, but it’s definitely worth the wait.

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To end our first day in Yellowstone, we visited the Kepler Cascades, a beautiful waterfall easily viewable from a short boardwalk observation deck. This accessible viewpoint allowed me to appreciate the power and beauty of the cascading water without any difficulty.

Each of these locations from our first day provided a truly memorable and accessible way to experience the natural wonders of Yellowstone National Park. At the end of day one, we were all amazed and anxious to see what our second day would have to offer!  

Watch a short video about our first day in Yellowstone below.

Day 2 in Yellowstone National Park 

Somehow, our second day in Yellowstone ended up being even better than the first, I believe. It was an action-packed and busy day, but we saw so many awesome sights! Here’s how our second day in Yellowstone National Park went:

Our first stop on day two was Gibbon Falls. Getting to see the falls was a breeze, thanks to a smooth, paved trail leading directly from the parking area to the viewpoint. The falls, dropping a dramatic 84 feet, were quite a sight, and the easy access made it a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Aside from the falls, the scenery from this area is just astounding, and it was the perfect start to our second day in the park. 

Next, we ventured to the Norris Geyser Basin, a fascinating area with a mix of wheelchair accessible paths. The initial quarter-mile or so of the path proved to be quite bumpy, requiring a bit more effort to navigate, but I was pleased to find that the trail conditions improved significantly thereafter. Norris offers multiple accessible trails, and we chose to visit Steamboat Geyser first, the largest geyser in Yellowstone. While it doesn’t erupt frequently, the smooth boardwalk trail leading to it made the journey pleasant. 

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Our next exploration took us to Porcelain Basin, where we covered a little over a mile in total on a comfortable rolling path, viewing the unique geothermal features. Porcelain Basin was one of my favorite places in all of Yellowstone, and I loved that it was so accessible. 

We spent a couple hours in the Norris Geyser Basin area and then we were ready for a bite to eat. For lunch, we stopped at the Canyon Lodge, which had a convenient food court area. I enjoyed a buffalo chicken wrap, but plenty of other options were available as well. There was also a nice gift shop in Canyon Lodge. 

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone was undeniably the highlight of our afternoon, offering a series of magnificent viewpoints that were surprisingly accessible for a wheelchair user. Each stop provided an incredible perspective on the vibrant colors and immense scale of this natural wonder, making it a truly immersive experience. We stopped in three different places in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: Artist Point, Brink of the Upper Falls, and Inspiration Point. 

Artist Point was the first breathtaking vista we encountered. From my wheelchair, I was able to access the main viewing area, which provided expansive, panoramic views of the Lower Falls plunging into the colorful canyon. The paved path leading to this overlook made it a very straightforward and enjoyable visit, allowing me to fully appreciate the dramatic scenery without any accessibility concerns. Honestly, the view from Artist Point was one of the most beautiful views I’ve ever seen throughout my many travels. This is a definite must-visit in Yellowstone. 

Our next stop, the Brink of Upper Falls, offered a different perspective, and it was beautiful as well. Here, I discovered a couple of designated accessible overlook spots. These overlooks allowed me to get remarkably close to the powerful cascade of the Upper Falls. The short, well-maintained paths to these viewpoints made it easy to approach and experience the raw power of the Yellowstone River.

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Finally, we reached Inspiration Point, which further showcased the park’s commitment to accessibility. Paved paths guided me effortlessly to several accessible overlooks, each strategically placed to provide a new, awe-inspiring view of the canyon and its waterfalls. The smooth surfaces ensured a comfortable roll, allowing me to appreciate the grandeur of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone from various angles, truly cementing it as a memorable and accessible highlight of our trip.

To cap off the day, we drove through Hayden Valley. This area lived up to its reputation for scenic views, and I was thrilled to spot numerous bison grazing peacefully, adding another unforgettable wildlife encounter to our Yellowstone journey. 

Each of these locations from our second day in the park, with their varying degrees of accessibility, allowed me to experience the natural beauty and power of Yellowstone National Park from my wheelchair. 

Watch a short video about our second day in wheelchair accessible Yellowstone National Park below. 

Day 3 in Yellowstone National Park

Our exploration of Yellowstone National Park continued to offer incredible wildlife sightings and unique geological features on our third, and final, day. 

One of the most anticipated parts of our trip was visiting Lamar Valley. Although it was a considerable 2.5-hour drive from our cabin in West Yellowstone, the journey was well worth it. Lamar Valley is renowned for its wildlife, and it certainly delivered.

From the comfort of our van, we were able to witness hundreds of bison grazing across the vast landscape. We were also incredibly fortunate to spot a few bears, observing them from a safe distance. We spent a good two to three hours in the valley, mostly driving and pulling over at various points to view the animals, making it an excellent experience for wildlife watching from a vehicle.

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For lunch, we stopped at the Terrace Grill in the Mammoth Hot Springs area. It was a convenient and accessible spot, where I enjoyed a cheeseburger. I was pleased to find that restrooms were readily available nearby, including a companion care restroom. 

After lunch, we explored the fascinating Mammoth Hot Springs. The boardwalk path through this unique formation was accessible, but a bit bumpy in sections. It required a little more attention while navigating in my power wheelchair, but it was definitely manageable and did not detract from the overall experience. 

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The incredible terraced formations, with their vibrant colors and steaming hot springs, were a sight to behold. Despite the minor bumps, I was able to fully immerse myself in the otherworldly landscape of Mammoth Hot Springs and I loved being able to get so close to the terraced formations thanks to the boardwalk path. It was a really unique sight, and was a great way to close out our final day in wheelchair accessible Yellowstone National Park. 

Watch a short video about our third day in Yellowstone National Park below. 

My long-awaited journey to Yellowstone National Park was everything I dreamed of and more. From the convenient and accessible cabin in West Yellowstone to the breathtaking geothermal features and abundant wildlife, every moment was a testament to the park’s commitment to welcoming visitors of all abilities.

I hope this detailed account of my wheelchair accessible Yellowstone National Park adventure inspires you to embark on your own journey. The park’s diverse landscapes, from the erupting geysers and vibrant hot springs to the majestic canyons and expansive valleys full of wildlife, are a spectacle to behold. With careful preparation and an understanding of the accessible options available, Yellowstone National Park is not just a destination for some, but a magnificent and achievable adventure for everyone.  

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