Wheelchair-Accessible Waterfalls Worth a Stop
Although trekking to the top of a waterfall could be difficult, if not impossible, in a wheelchair; many of these cascading beauties can also be admired from afar. Additionally some waterfalls even have wheelchair-accessible trails that lead right to a viewing area at their base. So check out these six wheelchair-accessible waterfalls this summer, snap a few impressive photos, and then enjoy the cool mist as it sprays over your face.
Burney Falls McArthur-Burney Falls State Park
Located between Mount Shasta and Lassen Peak in Northern California, McArthur-Burney Falls State Park is known for the 129-foot high namesake falls that tumbles down into peaceful Burney Creek. From the visitor center, just cross the street and take the 500-foot paved level trail to the right, for an excellent view of Burney Falls. There is also an additional parking lot with accessible parking located down the street from the visitor center. A general store and accessible family restrooms are located nearby. And don’t miss the restored Civilian Conservation Corps cabin that features ramp access, and is located next to the general store. If you’d like to stop for a picnic, there are covered accessible picnic tables on a cement pad in front of the visitor center, as well as a number of accessible tables on hard-packed dirt between the visitor center and the general store.
Lower Yosemite Fall Yosemite National Park
Up next on our list of wheelchair-accessible waterfalls –Yosemite Falls. Although this iconic waterfall is certainly visible from a number of vantage points in the park, there’s also a wheelchair-accessible trail to the base of Lower Yosemite Fall. This wide paved trail begins near the shuttle bus stop and winds through the forest. A short boardwalk section covers a muddy stretch of the trail, and there are benches and interpretive plaques along the way. After you enjoy the fall, you’ll need to double back for a one-mile round-trip hike, as the rest of the loop trail has a few steep spots. It’s important to note that this is a snowpack-fed fall, and while it’s at its peak in May, it’s usually just a trickle by September.
Multnomah Falls Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
Known as the showplace of the Columbia River Gorge, Multnomah Falls is located 30 miles east of Portland, along the Historic Columbia River Highway. The 620-foot waterfall, which is Oregon’s tallest, is framed by historic Benson Bridge, which dates back to 1914. Accessible parking is available off of Highway 84, in the remote lot, with paved access over to the waterfall area. The path to the lower overlook is paved, but some manual wheelchair-users may require a bit of assistance with the grade. The trek to the top of the falls is not accessible, due to stairs and a steep grade, but the view from the lower viewing area is spectacular. Try to hit this one early in the day, as it’s very popular, and parking may be unavailable later in the afternoon.
Brandywine Falls Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Located near the eastern border of an often overlooked Ohio national park, Brandywine Falls is just a short drive from Brecksville Station. From Brecksville follow Riverview Road south, turn east on Vaughn Road, then head south on Brandywine Road to get to the falls. There’s accessible parking near the accessible restrooms, with level access to a 150-foot paved trail, that transitions to an accessible boardwalk through the forest. An accessible overlook at the end of the boardwalk offers a magnificent view of the 65-foot high falls as it cascades down over a shale wall into Brandywine Creek.
Lower Falls Yellowstone National Park
Over on the east side of Yellowstone National Park, Lower Falls – the signature waterfall in the park – tumbles 308 feet down into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. And the best spot to get a gander at this magnificent waterfall is from Artist Point — the last stop on the scenic South Rim Drive. Accessible parking is located near the quarter-mile round trip loop out to the viewpoint; however you can get a good view of the Lower Falls at about the .08-mile point. The trail then loops around and offers a 360-degree canyon view. And if you’d like to take it all in for a little while, there are also benches to sit down and relax for a bit.
Frazier Falls Plumas National Forest
Last but not least on our list of wheelchair-accessible waterfalls — Frazier Falls. This Northern California gem is a tad off-the-beaten-path, but it’s well worth a short detour. From Quincy follow Highway 89 south to Graeagle. Turn right on Gold Lake Highway, then left on Frazier Falls Road. The parking lot for the trailhead is just four miles up this paved one-lane steep road. And you’ll notice the elevation change as you climb – from 4,300 feet in Graeagle to 6,200 feet at the trailhead.
Accessible parking and an accessible vault toilet are located near a half-mile paved trail to the falls overlook. There are a few short steeper sections on this undulating trail, so manual wheelchair-users may require some assistance. That said this smooth wide trail is great for folks with scooters or power wheelchairs. There are also several benches along the way to sit and rest. There is level access to two of the viewing platforms at the end of the line that offer a panoramic view of the falls crashing down into the Frazier River. There’s also a nice picnic area with accessible tables, in a shaded grove near the trailhead. This is another snowpack-fed waterfall and it’s usually at its peak in May and wanes in the late summer. Be forewarned though, although Frazier Falls Road is plowed, it’s not unusual to find snow obstructing the trail in late April.
www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/plumas/recreation/recarea/?recid=82706&actid=50
Wheelchair-Accessible Trails
Patrick’s Point State Park
