Accessibility

 

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Transcript

Bryce Canyon National Park is famous for its red rock hoodoo formations, but it's also home to endangered wildlife, wildflowers and dark night skies. Hoodoos at Bryce Canyon National Park were originally deposited in a warm shallow lake system. These soft rocks were eroded back through freeze and thaw cycles, taking them from narrow fins, to arches or windows, and eventually fully separated out into hoodoos and spires. There are several accessible viewpoints throughout the park, including two accessible trails, accessible Ranger programs, in addition to accessible facilities. Accessible parking is available throughout the park, but these spaces fill quickly on crowded summer days. If you plan to drive into the park expect delays at the entrance station. Park at the shuttle station just outside the park and you can take the bus in. Have your federal access pass and photo ID ready. The Federal Access Pass is available for free to U.S. Citizens with permanent disabilities. It provides free access to over 2,000 recreation sites. Once in the park stop at the Visitor Center for trip planning information and to pick up an accessibility guide. Here you can also find maps, brochures, and find out about current conditions in the park. The natural and cultural history of Bryce Canyon is told here through artifacts, exhibits, and the park film. Prepare for a day in the park by filling your water bottles, grabbing anything you forgot at our Natural History Association's bookstore, and also using indoor accessible restrooms. Sunset Point is a full-service viewpoint featuring accessible restrooms with flushing toilets, water bottle fill stations, and accessible parking options. Short paved trails lead to the Overlook. This is the main amphitheater of Bryce Canyon--a classic view of the park. Paved trails continue for another half mile along the rim and you can also take gravel trails to get a little closer if you prefer. Head to Brice point for incredible sunrise and sunset views. This high view point is accessible via 150 feet of paved trail with a slight decline toward the view point. Paria View has fewer visitors and big views. This is a good option to avoid the crowds and experience some solitude in nature. Paved and slightly sloping trail leads from the parking lot's first view down to the final overlook. There are several other paved viewpoints with accessible parking throughout Bryce Canyon National Park. Visitor services are limited at these overlooks and not all are accessible via the shuttle. These include Fairyland Point, Inspiration Point, Swamp Canyon, Farview Point, Natural Bridge, Aqua Canyon, Ponderosa Canyon, and Rainbow and Yovimpa Points. The Shared Use Path is a paved trail that winds its way from outside the park to the Visitor Center, Lodge, Sunset Point, and as far as Inspiration Point. Manual wheelchairs may require assistance on some sections. The two-hour horseback ride below the rim is a great way to see the rock formations if you have a strong sense of balance and some upper leg control. Seeing the park by horseback or driving through on Scenic Byway 12 are the only accessible options for getting an up-close look at the hoodoos from below. Clear desert skies and remote location make nights in Bryce Canyon some of the darkest in the country. Attend a ranger led astronomy program or explore the park on your own after dark to see thousands of stars, other planets, and our home galaxy the Milky Way. Wheelchair-accessible astronomy binoculars are available at Ranger programs. The historic Bryce Canyon Lodge was constructed in a rustic National Park Service style and features a gift store, two options for accessible dining, accessible lodging, and a general store. Sites 223 and 224 of Loop A in Sunset Campground are reserved for visitors with mobility impairments. These sites offer pull-through access, picnic tables, with extensions and stand-up fire grills. These sites are located across from a fully accessible restroom. Much of Bryce Canyon is located at 7,000 to 9,000 feet in elevation. This high up the air is thinner than you may be used to, with less available oxygen. You may fatigue more easily, feel light-headed, or even experience headaches. Stay hydrated. Humidity is low at higher altitudes. A well-hydrated body is better able to regulate body temperature and is more resistant to heat exhaustion. The thinner atmosphere also increases your exposure to UV radiation and risk of sunburn. At Bryce Canyon the forces of weathering and erosion never rest, not even for a day. This dynamic and mesmerizing place is like no other, and it's a part of your public lands just waiting to be explored. For more information come see us at the Visitor Center or contact us online or by phone

Duration:

7 minutes, 9 seconds

Learn about wheelchair accessibility and how to plan an accessible visit to Bryce Canyon National Park.

 

Accessibility

Visitor Center

Two moderately sloping ramps lead from the parking lot to the Visitor Center. The building is equipped with a lowered information desk and fully accessible auditorium with a captioned 24-minute film. Assisted Listening and Audio Description devices are available at the front desk upon request. Restrooms have fully accessible stalls.

Restrooms

Accessible restroom stalls are available at the Visitor Center, Bryce Canyon Lodge, the General Store, Loop A and the group site of Sunset Campground, Farview Point, and Rainbow Point. Restrooms at Sunset Point are accessible with assistance.

Viewpoints

Most viewpoint parking lots provide handicapped parking spaces and ramps for visitors in wheelchairs. If you tire easily, you may want to have assistance to and from some overlooks as elevations range between 8,000 and 9,100 feet (2,440 and 2,777 meters).
 

• Fairyland Point (good access): Unpaved viewpoint (firmly compacted sediment), 89 ft (27m) from parking lot to overlook. Road is closed to vehicles in winter.
  • Elevation gain: 3.3 ft (1.0m); Typical grade: 3.7% (Max. 4.7%); Typical cross slope: 1.6% (Max. 2.6%)

• Sunrise Point (good access): Paved trail, approximately 1,584 ft (482m) from the parking lot to the rim. Additional 78.8 ft (24m) to continue from the bottom of the viewpoint to the top on unpaved, firm native sediment; 20.7% maximum grade (not recommended).
  • Paved Trail - Elevation gain: 50 ft (15m)/Elevation Loss: 20 ft (6m); Typical grade: 3.9% (Max. 10.4%); Typical cross slope: 2.3% (Max. 9.0%)
  • Bottom of Viewpoint to Top - Elevation gain: 15 ft (4.5m); Typical grade: 18.6% (Max. 20.7%); Typical cross slope: 7.5% (Max. 16.2%)

• Sunset Point (very good access): Paved, level trail, about 494 ft (150m) from parking lot to the viewing area.
  • Elevation gain: 7.6 ft (2.3m); Typical grade: 1.7% (Max. 4.1%); Typical cross slope: 1.9% (Max. 3.3%)

• Inspiration Point (good access): Sloping sidewalk, 218 ft (66m) from parking lot to lower overlook. Additional 1,225 ft (373m) to the middle and upper overlooks along an unpaved trail; 26% maximum grade (not recommended).
  • Elevation gain: 6 ft (1.8m); Typical grade: 3.7% (Max. 6.3%); Typical cross slope: 1.9% (Max. 3.6%)

• Bryce Point (very good access): Paved viewpoint, 270 ft (82m) from parking lot to first overlook. Additional 258 ft (78m) to the end of the viewpoint (good access but may be icy in winter).
  • Elevation gain: 11.8 ft (3.6m)/Elevation loss: 27.8 ft (8.47m); Typical grade: 5.5% (Max. 11.3%); Typical cross slope: 1.0% (Max. 2.8%)

• Paria View (very good access): Paved viewpoint, 129 ft (39m) from parking lot to first overlook. Additional 631 ft (192m) paved, sloping sidewalk to the end of the viewpoint (good access in summer, might require showshoeing to reach viewpoint in winter).

• Swamp Canyon (very good access): Paved, level viewpoint offers immediate viewing from parking lot.
  • Elevation gain: 1.4 ft (.42m); Typical grade: 4.2% (Max. 4.4%); Typical cross slope: 2.9% (Max. 6.5%)

• Farview Point (good access): Paved viewpoint, 59 ft (18m) from parking lot to overlook.
  • Elevation gain: 2.1 ft (0.63m); Typical grade: 3.6% (Max. 8.9%); Typical cross slope: 4.3% (Max. 10.4%)

• PIracy Point (fair access when dry): Unpaved, fairly level trail, 1,056 ft (322m) from Farview Point parking lot.
  • Elevation gain: 8 ft (2.4m)/Elevation loss: 20 ft (6m); Typical grade: 2.7% (Max. 10.9%); Typical cross slope: 2.3% (Max. 11.2%)

• Natural Bridge (very good access): Paved, level viewpoint offers immediate viewing from parking lot, 53 ft (16m).
  • Elevation gain: 3.7 ft (1.1m); Typical grade: 7.0% (Max. 8.0%); Typical cross slope: 0.1% (Max. 2.9%)

• Agua Canyon (very good access): Paved, level viewpoint offers immediate viewing from parking lot, 80 ft (24m).
  • Elevation gain: 3.1 ft (0.95m); Typical grade: 3.9% (Max. 6.2%); Typical cross slope: 3.3% (Max. 8.6%)

• Ponderosa Canyon (very good access): Paved, level viewpoint offers immediate viewing from parking lot, 43 ft (13m).
  • Elevation gain: 2.8 ft (0.87m); Typical grade: 6.8% (Max. 7.8%); Typical cross slope: 1.9% (Max. 2.7%)

• Black Birch Canyon (fair access when dry): Paved with slight incline, offers immediate viewing from parking lot.
  • Elevation gain: 6.1 ft (1.87m); Typical grade: 4.9% (Max. 7.0%); Typical cross slope: 2.0% (Max. 3.2%)

• Yovimpa Point (very good access): Paved, level sidewalk, approximately 79 ft (24m) from parking lot to viewing area.
  • Elevation gain: 5.1 ft (1.5m); Typical grade: 1.3% (Max. 7.1%); Typical cross slope: 2.0% (Max. 3.8%)

• Rainbow Point (very good access): Paved viewpoint, 359 ft (107m) along a paved, sloping trail to end of viewpoint.
  • Elevation gain: 1.6 ft (0.49m); Typical grade: 2.4% (Max. 5.6%); Typical cross slope: 1.1% (Max. 1.4%)

Most viewpoint parking lots provide handicapped parking spaces and ramps for visitors in wheelchairs. If you tire easily, you may want to have assistance to and from some overlooks as elevations range between 8,000 and 9,100 feet (2,440 and 2,777 meters).

Trails

Because of the park's natural terrain, only a 1/2 mile section of the Rim Trail between Sunset and Sunrise Points is wheelchair accessible. The one-mile Bristlecone Loop at Rainbow Point has a hard surface and could be used with assistance, but several grades do not meet standards.

Camping

Sites 223 and 224 in Loop A of Sunset Campground are reserved for visitors with mobility impairments. These sites offer pull-through access, picnic tables with extensions, and stand-up fire grills. The sites are located across from a fully accessible restroom. Sunset Campground is closed during winter months (typically mid-October through late April).

Lodging

The Sunrise Unit of Bryce Canyon Lodge (303-297-2757 or 435-834-5361) has rooms designed for handicapped access with adjacent handicapped parking facilities. Motel and hotel rooms outside the park also offer accessible rooms. Specify that you would like these rooms when you make reservations.

Horseback Riding

The two-hour horseback ride below the rim is a great way to see the rock formations if you have a strong sense of balance and some upper leg muscle control. For more information, contact Canyon Trail Rides at the Bryce Canyon Lodge or call 435-834-5500 or 435-679-8665.

Hearing Impaired

A captioned version of the 24-minute film shown in the Visitor Center auditorium is available for those with hearing impairments. Audio description and Assisted Listening devices are available at the Visitor Center front desk upon request.

Ranger Programs

During the summer, National Park Service rangers offer several walks and talks which are accessible to visitors with mobility impairments. Some activities are listed below, but check the activity schedule at the visitor center for exact times and locations.

Geology Talks

Join a ranger for a 20-minute talk on the geologic features of Bryce Canyon. Talks are held at Sunset Point. Learn the story behind the scenery, while enjoying a canyon view. During inclement weather, talk is held indoors at specified location.

Rim Walks
Enjoy the afternoon colors and longer shadows as a ranger discusses Bryce Canyon’s geology, and natural and cultural history. This 45-60 minute walk follows the rim along a paved, relatively level section of trail.

Evening Programs

Auditoriums in both the Visitor Center and Bryce Canyon Lodge are wheelchair accessible. The Outdoor Theater is not recommended for Wheelchairs.

Shuttle Bus

Bryce Canyon's shuttle buses are equipped with powered wheelchair lifts and have space for two wheelchairs on board. Shuttles typically operate April through October each year.

Access Guide

For more detailed information, including specific details regarding access to each of Bryce Canyon's 14 viewpoints, request an Access Guide at the Visitor Center.

 

Service Animals

The park receives many questions about what constitutes a service animal and where they're permitted to go. Only Service Animals recognized by the ADA are permitted to accompany their owners off pavement. Service animals are permitted to go anywhere visitors are permitted to go. NPS policy defines a service animal as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. The tasks performed by the animal must be directly related to the person’s disability.

Is my Emotional Support Animal considered a service animal?

No. Provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship does not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of what is defined as a service animal in the NPS policy. Emotional support, therapy, comfort, or companion animals can be any animal, not just a dog. The presence of these animals provides a calming effect for many people, but they do not qualify as service animals because they have not been trained to perform a specific job or task. Therefore, a park can treat an emotional support animal as a pet in accordance with its pet policy.