Experience a Wheelchair-Accessible Arizona Road Trip

The following morning, prepare to be wowed all over again at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Located just below Saguaro National Park, this diverse destination features gardens, wildlife habitats (including a resident mountain lion), interactive exhibits, and a lively hummingbird aviary. Chances are you’ll want to spend the better part of your day here. Grab a southwestern-inspired lunch at Ocotillo Café and dessert at the Cottonwood–both on-site–before meandering through more of the handicap-accessible exhibits, like the aquarium. (It’s worth noting that the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum provides electric convenience vehicles and ASL interpreters, too.) Pick up a little boost at Phoebe’s Coffee Bar before hitting the road for Phoenix, just shy of two hours north, for the next part of your trip.

As the capital of Arizona, it’s no surprise that Phoenix offers a host of adaptive experiences. You’ll get to sample the best over the next two days. Begin bright and early to beat the heat (and a potentially crowded parking lot) at White Tank Waterfall Trail. Don’t be fooled by the name—there will only be a cascade at the end if you’re there right after a recent rainfall. Wheelchair-enabled visitors will enjoy the first .8 paved miles of the trail. Look along the rocks for petroglyphs harkening back to an earlier time, and enjoy spotting early morning desert dwellers like hummingbirds, desert cottontail rabbits, and butterflies.

That afternoon, enjoy the sights and shopping in downtown Phoenix before another nature excursion in the evening. The Desert Botanical Garden allows guests to explore their expansive gardens with flashlights once the sun goes down—a popular activity for locals and tourists alike. You’ll get to observe the desert ecosystem coming to life beneath a blanket of stars, and even enjoy refreshments at the on-site bar. The perfect way to top off a great day in Arizona.

On day four, cool off in a different way on Bartlett Lake, just over an hour outside of downtown Phoenix. Here, Arizona Adaptive Watersports raises the bar on accessible adventure. They work with people of all abilities to ensure they have the time of their life on the water; whether that means paddling a kayak, being towed behind a boat on an innertube, fishing, or water skiing. No matter what your comfort level is, they work with you to ensure your goals and expectations are met. We reserved the entire day for this confidence-boosting, smile-inducing experience.

The fun is far from over on day five. Today, journey to the historic city of Flagstaff in northern Arizona. You’ll pass through the gorgeous red rock country of Sedona before ascending 2,000 feet to the base of the San Francisco Peaks. Grab a bite to eat along the way to Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. (On sunny days we recommend the fantastic outdoor dining options at Pizzicletta or Tourist Home Cafe.) While Sunset Crater is beautiful to drive through, it’s always better to get some fresh air. The .3-mile wheelchair-accessible Bonito Lava Flow trail is a great option to get a closer look at the wildflowers, lava flows, and expansive views.

The following morning, trade in all the flora for some of Arizona’s endemic (and more exotic) fauna. You’ll have the chance to scout Bearizona Wildlife Park just outside the town of Williams, the gateway to the Grand Canyon. This 160-acre park is home to some of North America’s most exciting wildlife, such as wolves, bison, and black bear. Explore the area by self-drive vehicle, then park and wander through the paved pathways to view smaller enclosures where otters, armadillos, and porcupines bring the wilderness to your fingertips (figuratively, of course). Even lunch at Bearizona is an experience. Opt for the Canyonlands restaurant where you can dine on hickory-smoked barbecue and gourmet burgers while overlooking a spectacular jaguar enclosure with a 25-foot waterfall. It might be worth a trip to Arizona just to eat lunch here.

Without further ado, it’s time to see the namesake of Arizona—Grand Canyon National Park. You have a couple of fantastic options for accessibility here. Those who prefer a slightly slower pace might enjoy the Grand Canyon Train, which departs from downtown Williams and takes you the 60 miles to the south rim of the canyon with beautiful sightseeing and exciting narration along the way (including a staged train robbery). Those who prefer a real adrenaline rush might opt for a plane ride with Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters. Their expertly piloted 45-minute flight will make you feel like an eagle as you soar over one of America’s most iconic treasures. Whether you prefer to see the Grand Canyon by train or by plane, this is undoubtedly the ultimate finale to a week of accessible adventures in Arizona.