Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Promenade Area

The most populated area is where the lodge, café/gift shop, and visitor center are located, which are all wheelchair accessible with paved walkways, cub cutouts, and a few handicapped parking spots. However, there are inclines. A wheelchair accessible public restroom is in a building near where the tram parks offering the standard stall setup. The lodge is impressive and beautifully maintained but the draw for people is the scenic promenade that runs along the lake’s border with lookout points and informational boards.

The promenade is paved and wheelchair accessible for most. Some parts have fairly steep slopes, making it challenging for someone if alone. However, another path that runs parallel to the parking lot is nearly level and is an option to avoid the steep sections but doesn’t have a view. Additionally, natural elements erode parts of the walkway so roll with caution. The views of Crater Lake at the promenade are the best you will get in the park outside of driving around it, but there is still more to see in this National Park. Remember, being a National Park means free admission for permanently disabled U.S. citizens with the lifetime Golden Access Pass.

Hiking Trails

One of the longest wheelchair accessible hiking trails is the Godfrey Glen Trail, which is a 1-mile loop with a grade no higher than 9%. The trail itself which travels through an old-growth forest with views of the canyon is packed dirt with a few minimally soft spots. When it’s wet it becomes muddy and much more challenging but with little to no moisture, many manual wheelchairs will be able to enjoy this trail. Power wheelchairs will have no difficulties.

The Annie Creek Canyon Trail at the Mazama Village is mostly wide and flat for the first quarter but then the descent into the canyon becomes inaccessible. The Vidae Fall Picnic Area has wheelchair accessible picnic tables, parking, and restrooms, and here the Crater Peak Trail is low-grade and wide for the first 100 yards. The trail is packed with dirt so again when wet it’s much more challenging. The trail’s accessible section ends at a bridge under an old-growth forest.

Further up the road at the Lost Creek Campground is the Grayback Motor Nature Trail, which is an old, wide, and flat service road. Only tent camping is permitted here but restrooms are accessible, and showers are unknown. At the end of Pinnacles Road is Pinnacles Trail—another packed dirt trail that is moderately flat. The trail leads to the end of the park with great views of the canyon and volcanic spires and then one must turn around and go back as it’s not a loop. The trail is wide enough for most wheelchairs but it’s a good idea to use caution along the cliff’s edge.