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The best accessible US National Park trails

Spreading over a remarkable 84 million acres, the USA’s National Park network has grown since Yellowstone was declared the first park in 1872. Today, these areas of vast wilderness, spectacular deserts and endless forests are one of the country’s biggest draws.

The National Park Service has done an excellent job of making them as open and accessible as possible. So with that in mind, here is Quingo Scooters’ pick of the very best accessible trails across US National Parks.

The General Sherman Tree Trail, Sequoia National Park

In the USA everything is bigger: and its trees are no different. The Sequoia National Park in California is home to the biggest in the world – spectacular redwoods hundreds of feet high. The largest of them all is the General Sherman Tree, which is over 270 feet tall!

The great news is that the trail that leads to this natural wonder is paved and completely accessible to all. It’s only a short distance (so need to worry about running out of charge on this trail) and passing beneath these giants is an experience that takes the breath away.

We also recommend checking out the Big Trees Trail, which is also accessible. It’s another short one (just under a mile) that has accessible parking and toilets at the start. It’s a varied and accessible trail, giving you a wonderful view of the trees but also taking you on a boardwalk through the nearby meadows.

Quingo Scooters Accessible Trails Sequoia National Park

Acadia National Park, Maine

Now to the other side of this vast country, to the state of Maine. We’ve picked this national park out because it’s something a bit different. We love the variety of Acadia – from rocky coastal headlands to beautiful birch forests, there is something for everyone. This national park is the perfect showcase for the wild Atlantic coast of the eastern US, and large parts of it are also accessible.

Driving the Park Loop Road is a great way to get a sense of this wonderful place and there are plenty of scenic spots to stop off on the way. There is a handy guide to accessibility at Acadia here, but we wanted to pick out one short trail in particular.

Thunder Hole is a truly spectacular spot – named for the way the ocean crashes against the rocks, this place is a must-see. There is ramped access to the trail down to Thunder Hole from the Loop Road and it is well worth stopping to take in this beautiful place.

Quingo Scooters Accessible Trails Acadia National Park Maine

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

The Grand Canyon might not seem to be one of the most accessible national parks. And yet while it’s true that getting down into the canyon itself is tricky, there are still plenty of places where you can take in this remarkable place.

Our tip is to head for the South Rim, where there are many accessible places to get unforgettable views out over the canyon itself. Getting around the park is also straightforward as there are regular and accessible shuttle buses. For an up-to-date overview of this service, check out their page here.

Finally, for a handy overview of the accessibility options right across the Grand Canyon National Park, take a look at the Park Service’s page here.

Quingo Scooters Accessible National Park Trails Grand Canyon

Arches National Park, Utah

Utah is lucky enough to have five National Parks, and Arches is one of our favourites. It is named for the 2,000 sandstone arches which dot the desert landscape. This includes the remarkable (and gravity-defying) ‘Delicate Arch’ which is over 50 feet high.

As with many of North America’s parks, much of the park is accessible by road and there is a 48-mile loop road that offers plenty of places to stop to take in the views. There is a short accessible trail at Park Avenue Viewpoint which is a great place to qustart.

Then, as you travel around the Loop Road you’ll also be able to explore accessible trails at Balanced Rock Viewpoint, the Windows Trail and of course, the iconic Delicate Arch itself. Start planning your trip to Arches National Park here.

To find out more about how the US National Parks Service are committed to accessibility, take a look at their dedicated accessibility page here. They also have a handy park finder service to help you plan your trip across the remoter parts of the US.

Did you know?

There is only one US state that doesn’t have a national park. Sorry Delaware…

Travelling with scooters

The great news for those of you travelling abroad is that Quingo Scooters are all approved for air travel by IATA so you won’t have any problems taking them on the plane. That said, it is always well worth getting in touch directly with any train, bus and airlines you want to use just to double check their rules on scooters before you go. For more handy tips on travelling with your scooter by air, take a look at our page here.

Share your accessible getaways abroad with us

Do you have any accessible getaways abroad recommendations? In Europe or perhaps further afield? If you do, we’d love to hear from you, so drop us a line and we’ll feature them.

About Quingo Scooters

The Quingo Scooter range features six models to suit your needs and budget. New models are now available from just £22/week on our new contract hire scheme which includes all servicing and maintenance, Insurance, Roadside Recovery, Call Outs and Consumables including Batteries and Tyres. For more information on this or the latest Quingo Scooter range, please visit our website. Alternatively, if you have any Service questions you can always contact us or call customer services on 01582 430 900.

Keep up to date with the latest mobility scooter advice, tips and interesting places to visit on the Quingo Scooter Users Blog. Connect with Quingo and keep up to date with all our latest news on Facebook and Twitter.

All Quingo Personal Mobility Vehicles are provided by Forever Active, the UK’s exclusive distributor. Forever Active is a trading name of Advantage Marketing Corporation Limited (AMC).  AMC Limited is an appointed representative of First Senior Insurance Services Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. First Senior Insurance Services FSA Register number is 30847

Accessible Routes, Days Out

Quingo Scooters: The best accessible trails for nature lovers

Here at Quingo, we know that many of you are keen nature lovers and it is a passion we certainly share. There really is nothing like getting out and about and experiencing first hand some of the incredible wildlife we have here in the UK. Happily, much of our countryside is accessible to those of us who use mobility scooters. So, this time around we’re bringing you our pick of some of the best places to get close to the natural world.

Accessible trails – accessing the natural world

The Wildlife Trusts have done some fantastic work to try and make our wild places more accessible. So, a great place to start your journey is their dedicated accessibility page. They have a useful tool to help you find nearby reserves near you and tips on how to get the most out of your wildlife experience. Here is our pick of some of their best sites around the UK.

South Walney island

Cumbria Wildlife Trust care for this island on Morecambe Bay. This is a spectacular stretch of coastline (if you have time, we also recommend you take the train up the coast to Barrow to enjoy the views). The island itself is packed with bird life and, if you are looking to tick a few species off your list for the year, then this really is the perfect spot. There are over 25 different species of sea bird that are believed to breed here (including Eider Ducks) and as well as our feathered friends there is also an abundance of plant life. Keep an eye out for the delicate Pyramidal Orchid hiding among the dunes.

If you want to explore the island then give the reserve’s warden Matthew Lipton a call on 01229 471600 and he’ll arrange to take you out for a fully accessible tour. The reserve has its own car park and you can also hire an off-road mobility tramper for your visit too.

Quingo Scooters: The best accessible trails for nature lovers - Eider Duck

Loch of the Lowes

This gorgeous reserve north of the border is cared for by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. It is based around a freshwater loch and there are several fully accessible hides around the reserve as well as visitor centre. Apart from the gorgeous views, the spectacular setting and the cute red squirrels you are likely to meet as you explore, there is one other very big reason why you should come here. The loch is home to a breeding female osprey. Seeing a bird like this in the wild really is one of most exhilarating experiences that any nature lover can have. There are disabled toilets at the visitor centre as well as dedicated Blue Badge parking.

Blashford Lakes

There is something very special about the New Forest, and this site is a real gem. These former gravel pits are managed by the Hampshire & IOW Wildlife Trust and the reserve itself is home to a bewildering amount of wildlife. There are the lakes themselves, which sustain a huge number of wildfowl, but there is also the surrounding ancient oak and beech woodland to explore. The team have done a great job of making much of the site accessible, with rolled gravel paths that are easily navigable on a mobility scooter. The reserve has its own car park on north side of Ellingham Drove, and there are accessible toilets at the visitor centre.

Quingo Scooters: The best accessible trails for nature lovers - Egyptian geese

The Welsh Wildlife Centre

The Welsh Wildlife Centre is run by The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. It is a fantastic place to spend some time. If you are visiting with family then there is plenty to keep the kids entertained too. The centre has everything from a ‘learning through play’ area and a willow maze through to the reserve’s network of accessible hides. There is a fully accessible path all the way around the site and the centre’s main building is also accessible with handy parking nearby. We really recommend the reserve’s Glasshouse Cafe for a cup of tea and some homemade cake. It’s open every day from 10am to 5pm in the summer and 10am to 4pm in the winter.

Share your accessible route with Quingo!

If you’ve been to visit any great accessible routes on your Quingo or would like us to write about a particular place you have visited, we’d be delighted to hear from you! You can email your stories, recommendations and pictures by filling out the contact form on our website and we’ll feature them on our blog.

About Quingo Scooters

The Quingo Scooter range features six models to suit your needs and budget. New models are now available from just £22/week on our new contract hire scheme which includes all servicing and maintenance, Insurance, Roadside Recovery, Call Outs and Consumables including Batteries and Tyres. For more information on this or the latest Quingo Scooter range, please visit our website. Alternatively, if you have any Service questions you can always contact us or call customer services on 01582 430 900.

Keep up to date with the latest mobility scooter advice, tips and interesting places to visit on the Quingo Scooter Users Blog. Connect with Quingo and keep up to date with all our latest news on Facebook and Twitter.

All Quingo Personal Mobility Vehicles are provided by Forever Active, the UK’s exclusive distributor. Forever Active is a trading name of Advantage Marketing Corporation Limited (AMC).  AMC Limited is an appointed representative of First Senior Insurance Services Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. First Senior Insurance Services FSA Register number is 308478.