I
A DISABLED HIKER’S
GUIDE TO THE REDWOODS
A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the Redwoods
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................1
FEATURED COAST REDWOOD PARKS
Redwood National and State Parks
(Redwood National Park and Jedediah Smith, Del Norte Coast,
and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Parks) .......................................................................................... 5
Humboldt Redwoods State Park ............................................................................................................9
Hendy Woods State Park ............................................................................................................................. 11
Samuel P. Taylor State Park ...................................................................................................................... 14
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park ................................................................................................... 17
ADDITIONAL COAST REDWOOD PARKS
Muir Woods National Monument ........................................................................................................20
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park ........................................................................................................................22
GIANT SEQUOIA PARKS
Calaveras Big Trees State Park ...............................................................................................................25
Yosemite National Park .............................................................................................................................. 27
Giant Sequoia National Monument...................................................................................................30
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks .............................................................................32
Save the Redwoods League | ExploreRedwoods.org
Cover image description: A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the Redwoods. A photo of
a smiling person in a wheelchair raises their arms centered at the bottom of the
frame. A giant coast redwood tree fills the frame. Green ferns are in the foreground.
Photo by Mark Kostich, iStock
Published in 2022.
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A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the Redwoods
INTRODUCTION
By Syren Nagakyrie, founder of Disabled Hikers
With towering trees and fresh, oxygen-rich air, redwood forests have the power to
inspire and enhance the well-being of all people. That’s why it’s so important to
strive for good access to these amazing places. From camping to scenic drives to
trails that address a variety of issues disabled people and our companions may
face, there are many awe-inspiring, humbling, and accessible redwood parks
experiences. Nothing compares to spending time with the world’s tallest trees,
driving through mile after mile of ancient forest, and exploring a trail by touch.
Coast redwoods and giant sequoias are collectively known as redwoods. Some
redwoods living today were alive during the time of the Roman Empire. Coast
redwoods, the tallest trees on the planet, can reach higher than a 30-floor
skyscraper. Giant sequoias are Earth’s most massive tree; some are as wide as a
three-lane street. These ancient trees once thrived across the Northern Hemisphere,
but now the coast redwood range only exists on the Northern California and
Southern Oregon coast, while the giant sequoia range is only on the west slopes
of the Sierra Nevada. Logging, development, and climate change have greatly
reduced their populations, but thankfully we can still experience these unique
trees at local, state, and national parks. It may take a little more planning if you are
disabled, but you can have a meaningful visit to the redwoods.
This guide provides an accessibility overview of redwood and giant sequoia parks.
I visited parks in 2022 to review accessibility using ADA/ABA guidelines and
personal and professional experience; these are noted as featured parks in this
guide. Additional parks were not visited, but accessibility information has been
researched.
Visitors should always confirm accessibility and trail conditions before their visit.
California State Parks and the National Park Service provide basic accessibility
information, and the National Park Service has an accessible app for planning.
CAMPING AND TRAILS
Most parks in this guide have at least one accessible trail and camping options,
though conditions vary. Many of the parks have Trail Access Information signs at
trailheads and intersections. These signs provide information about the trail such
as surface, elevation, grade, and the length of the accessible portion. Wheelchairs,
including motorized chairs and track chairs, are generally allowed on trails if they
are designed for the needs of a person with a mobility disability.
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A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the Redwoods
PETS
Pets are generally not allowed on trails in redwood and giant sequoia parks, but
there are exceptions—check out the League’s free guide to dog-friendly redwood
parks. Service dogs are allowed anywhere their handlers need to go. Service dogs
are trained to perform work or tasks related to a person’s disability. They do not
need to be certified.
FREE PASSES AND DISCOUNTS
Anyone who has a permanent disability can apply for a free America the Beautiful
Access Pass that grants free admission to National Park Service and other federal
recreation sites, as well as discounts on camping. California State Parks offers a
Disabled Discount Pass that grants 50% discounts on day-use and other fees.
Syren Nagakyrie (they/them) is the founder of Disabled Hikers and author of The Disabled
Hiker’s Guide to Western Washington and Oregon and the forthcoming Disabled Hiker’s Guide to
Northern California.
ExploreRedwoods.org
Learn more about the parks in this guide and get directions, weather
forecasts, and information on fees, camping, and lodging by visiting the free
trip planning website, ExploreRedwoods.org, by Save the Redwoods League.
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A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the Redwoods
ABOUT REDWOODS
The California coast redwood and giant sequoia forests are among the most
important natural treasures in the world. Home to the world’s tallest, largest, and
some of the oldest trees, as well as biodiversity found nowhere else, these forests
also store more carbon per acre than any other type of forest. Coast redwoods
live in a narrow band stretching 450 miles from southern Oregon to the Big Sur
coast. Giant sequoias, or Sierra redwoods, grow on the western slopes of the Sierra
Nevada in 78 scattered groves.
JOIN US
For 100 years, Save the Redwoods League has stood between California’s iconic
redwood trees and the axe. We held the line, saving the last of the world’s ancient
redwoods. These purchases helped to create 66 parks and reserves for future
generations to experience. Today, by dramatically scaling up our pace, reach, and
impact, we’re changing California’s story, restoring the forests that we almost lost,
welcoming visitors from around the world, and inspiring them to follow our lead.
You can help return the world’s most iconic forests to the scale and grandeur they
possessed before any of us alive today were born. And when we succeed in doing
so, we’ll leave the world better than we found it. Please join us!
Visit SaveTheRedwoods.org/give and become a member with a tax-deductible
contribution today. Learn more at SaveTheRedwoods.org.
ARROYO SECO
RIVER
20 miles
0
CALIFORNIA
OREGON
Klamath
Crescent City
Trinidad
Eureka
Myers Flat
Garberville
Boonville
Monterey
Carmel-
by-the-Sea
Big Sur
San Francisco
Oakland
San Jose
Santa Cruz
Ukiah
Mendocino
Sea Ranch
Fort Bragg
PACIFIC
OCEAN
MAD RIVER
EEL RIVER
S. FORK EEL RIVER
N. FORK
EEL RIVER
MID. FORK
EEL RIVER
MATTOLE RIVER
NAVARRO RIVER
GUALALA RIVER
RUSSIAN RIVER
SACRAMENTO RIVER
NAPA RIVER
SAN LORENZO RIVER
PAJARO RIVER
SALINAS RIVER
CARMEL RIVER
SMITH RIVER
KLAMATH RIVER
101
101
101
101
36
1
1
1
20
128
HENDY WOODS
JEDEDIAH SMITH REDWOODS
DEL NORTE COAST REDWOODS
PRAIRIE CREEK REDWOODS
REDWOOD NATIONAL
HUMBOLDT
REDWOODS
SAMUEL P. TAYLOR
MUIR WOODS
HENRY COWELL REDWOODS
PFEIFFER BIG SUR
5
5
5
5
9
11
14
20
22
17
CALIFORNIA
MAP AREA
N
580
80
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A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the Redwoods
Save the Redwoods League | ExploreRedwoods.org
FEATURED
COAST REDWOOD PARKS
Go to
ExploreRedwoods.org
,
a free, mobile-friendly tool for
customizing your itineraries for your
visits to the parks in this brochure.
Discover your favorite redwood parks
accessible to people with disabilities!
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A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the Redwoods
FEATURED PARKS
Listed from north to south
REDWOOD NATIONAL AND STATE PARKS
Take scenic drives past towering trees
Save the Redwoods League | ExploreRedwoods.org
Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway runs 10 miles through Prairie Creek Redwoods State
Park. This road is surrounded by towering redwoods on both sides, so visitors don’t even
have to get out of their vehicles to appreciate the forest.
Image description: A photo of a paved two-lane road lined with
towering redwoods on both sides.
Photo by Ian Dagnall, Alamy Stock Photo
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A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the Redwoods
In Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, the Revelation Trail was designed to be
accessible for people who are Blind or have low vision; it has guide ropes along the
length of the trail and around features such as uprooted trees so that visitors can engage
multiple senses.
Image description: A photo of a redwood forest. A rope fence leads
from the foreground to the right. A wooden boardwalk runs from
the midground to the background. Bright green ferns stand in the
foreground.
Photo by Syren Nagakyrie
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A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the Redwoods
From south of Orick to north of Crescent City near the California-Oregon border,
Redwood National and State Parks (RNSP) is a designated UNESCO World Heritage
Site. It is home to some of the last remaining old-growth redwood groves, as well
as miles of coastline, prairies, and woodlands. RNSP consists of four parks jointly
managed by the National Park Service and California State Parks: Redwood
National Park, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State
Park, and Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.
Multiple opportunities for scenic drives among ancient redwoods make this area
unique. There are so many potential itineraries for accessible recreation that visitors
may have a difficult time choosing one! Redwood National Park does not have any
accessible trails, but you can drive Bald Hills Road along the eastern edge of the
park through old-growth redwoods before ascending through open prairies. Several
overlooks and picnic sites provide opportunities to appreciate the experience. The
road is 17 miles long and mostly unpaved—it is not advised for RVs or trailers.
Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway travels 10 miles through Prairie Creek Redwoods
State Park. This two-lane paved road is surrounded by towering redwoods on both
sides, so visitors don’t even have to get out of their vehicles to appreciate the forest.
If you do want to stop, there are several accessible trails and roadside pullouts. Stop
at the visitor center, then take the Revelation Trail. This unique trail was designed
to be accessible for people who are Blind or have low vision, and it has guide ropes
along the length of the trail and around features such as uprooted trees so that
visitors can engage multiple senses. A wheelchair-accessible elevated platform
circles a large redwood. The Big Tree Wayside is another popular attraction that is
wheelchair accessible with caution—the trailhead has several exposed rocks on a
grade. The ramp up to the Big Tree platform is compact gravel, but the path around
the ramp to see the tree from below is only about 2 feet wide. From November
to May, the parkway is closed to motorized vehicles on the first Saturday of each
month. This Bike and Hike Day is popular with hikers, leashed pets, strollers, and
people with all sorts of other wheels.
Howland Hill Road in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is an amazing 10-
mile route through old-growth redwoods. It winds through the heart of the park,
offering relatively easy access to huge redwoods and several trailheads. However,
the road is unpaved and narrow with several steep dropoffs, and RVs and large
vehicles are prohibited. The trail to Stout Grove is not wheelchair accessible—there
is a steep decline from the parking area, descending about 40 feet within a couple
hundred feet. But once in the grove, the trail is flat and travels amidst beautiful
redwoods, sorrel, and ferns along the Smith River.
Location: North coast of California (from south of Orick to north of Crescent City)
Contact: 707-464-6101
REDWOOD NATIONAL AND STATE PARKS
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A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the Redwoods
Park fee: No pass required for Redwood National Park. $8 day-use fee, annual
California State Parks pass, or America the Beautiful pass accepted at state park
developed areas.
Visitor centers: Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center in Redwood National Park, Prairie
Creek Visitor Center in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, and Hiouchi Visitor
Center in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park are open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. from spring
to fall, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in winter. The Crescent City Information Center is open
9 a.m.-5 p.m. from spring to fall; the center may be closed or have reduced hours in
the winter.
Parking: Paved van-accessible parking at visitor centers and Elk Prairie Picnic Area;
parking varies at other trailheads.
Suggested activities: Scenic drives, picnicking, hiking, camping, wildlife viewing
Accessible features and amenities: Resources in braille, text-only, audio
description, tactile displays; manual wheelchairs and beach wheelchairs; campsites
and cabins; trails; restrooms.
Trail recommendation: Redwood Access and Revelation Trail in Prairie Creek
Redwoods State Park is 0.75 mile with a maximum 8% grade. It is natural surface
and an elevated wooden platform.
Camping/lodging: Four campsites and four cabins with electricity at Prairie Creek
Redwoods State Park; six campsites at Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park; six
campsites and four cabins with electricity at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.
Things to know: The climate is much wetter and colder in this region of California
than in the southern part of the redwood range. It is possible to drive U.S. 101 and
U.S. 199 through the parks in a day, but it would be difficult to visit all places of
interest in a single day.
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A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the Redwoods
Photo by Paul Lovine, Flickr Creative Commons, CC BY NC ND 2.0
HUMBOLDT REDWOODS STATE PARK
Drive through an ancient forest on a 32-mile scenic road
Save the Redwoods League | ExploreRedwoods.org
Avenue of the Giants runs for 32 miles through the magnificent old-growth redwood
forest of Humboldt Redwoods State Park.
Image description: Photo of a red van at the bottom center of the frame
surrounded by giant redwoods and green foliage.
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A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the Redwoods
The primeval forests of Humboldt Redwoods sparked the establishment of
Save the Redwoods League to protect the world’s tallest trees. It is California’s
largest redwood state park, with over 17,000 acres of ancient forests. Visitors can
experience many of them by driving on the Avenue of the Giants, a curvy 32-mile-
long scenic road through the park; an auto tour brochure is available at either end
of the Avenue of the Giants and at the visitor center.
There are several accessible trails, including Founders Grove, which is a 0.5-mile
loop through old-growth redwoods with a raised platform around Founders Tree.
The trail is compact gravel and natural surface, with a 20-foot-long section at 9%
slope on this trail. A self-guided brochure is available at the trailhead. Accessible
picnic areas are available at Founders Grove, Williams Grove, and California
Federation of Women’s Clubs Grove.
Location: Avenue of the Giants off U.S. 101, 45 miles south of Eureka and 20 miles
north of Garberville
Contact: 707-946-2409
Park fee: $8 day-use fee or annual California State Parks pass
Visitor Center: Open May-September, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and October-April,
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Parking: Accessible spots at the three campgrounds, Williams Grove Group Camp,
Founders Grove, Williams Grove, California Federation of Women’s Clubs Grove, and
Gould Grove Nature Loop and Rockefeller Loop trailheads.
Suggested activities: Scenic driving, hiking, picnicking, interpretive exhibits, ranger-
led programs
Accessible features and amenities: Assistive listening devices, braille brochures,
tactile exhibits
Trail recommendation: Drury-Chaney Loop Trail is a 1.7-mile dirt path, generally flat
with some steep cross slopes.
Camping: Total of 15 campsites in three campgrounds, one site in a group camp,
one in a horse camp with accessible mounting platform. RV sites available.
Reservations: ReserveCalifornia.com
Things to know: The park has a mild climate, but temperatures can vary between
the north and south ends of the park.
HUMBOLDT REDWOODS STATE PARK
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A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the Redwoods
Photo by Syren Nagakyrie
Save the Redwoods League | ExploreRedwoods.org
HENDY WOODS STATE PARK
Go on a wheelchair-accessible hike through a large, ancient redwood grove
Visitors can experience Big Hendy Grove on the All Access Trail in Hendy Woods State
Park.
Image description: A photo of a dirt path leads past a dense forest of
giant coast redwoods. Fallen trees are in the midground.
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A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the Redwoods
Hendy Woods State Park offers one of the longest accessible redwood trails in
Mendocino County. Big Hendy Grove is a marvel of old-growth redwoods. Trails lead
past towering trees, fallen giants, and gentle creeks. Rhododendrons, madrones,
Douglas-firs, and California bay laurels share the forest. An interpretive guide
that describes numbered natural features on the trail is available in print at the
trailhead.
Visitors can experience Big Hendy Grove on three connected loops: the All Access
Trail, the Discovery Loop, and the Upper Loop, for trips of 0.3 mile, 0.6 mile, or 1.6
miles. The trails are composed of compacted soil with a couple of boardwalks, and
they are generally level. The Discovery Loop has a few sections with grades between
5-8% and one cross slope at 5%, which can be avoided with caution. The Upper
Loop has a 26-foot-long section at 7% grade. The All Access Trail loops back on the
road near the day-use area, so visitors may want to do that portion of the trail as an
out and back.
After the hike, you can have a picnic or use one of the barbecues at the accessible
ramadas and picnic tables in the meadow with the Navarro River nearby. Paved
paths lead from the parking lot to the picnic areas, vault toilets, and water
fountains.
If a day trip doesn’t feel long enough, there are several camping options with both
shaded and sunny sites. The Wildcat Campground has one accessible rustic cabin
with a large deck at the entrance. Four campsites in the Azalea Campground have
accessible pads or tent areas, but the fire rings are very low and do not swing out.
Some sites can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet long. Ranger-led programs are
held at the campfire center, which is generally accessible, but the path to it has
some loose, deep gravel. Park staffers are knowledgeable about accessibility and
open to accommodations.
Location: 18599 Philo Greenwood Rd. Philo (between Mendocino and Ukiah)
Contact: Office: 707-895-3537; Entrance kiosk: 707-895-3141 (seasonal)
Park fee: $8 day-use fee or annual California State Parks pass
Visitor center: Open most Saturdays and Sundays and other days of the week as
volunteers are available May-September.
HENDY WOODS STATE PARK
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A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the Redwoods
Parking: Paved van-accessible parking at the day-use area, with accessible routes
Suggested activities: Hiking, camping, picnicking, grilling, ranger programs, self-
guided interpretive hikes, relaxing in a meadow
Accessible features and amenities: Trails, campsites, covered picnic tables,
restrooms and showers, water fountains
Trail recommendation: The Discovery Loop is up to 1.6 miles with a maximum 7%
grade.
Camping/lodging: One accessible rustic cabin with a wood-fired stove for heat
and no electricity or bedding; raised outdoor fire ring with a swing-away grill; four
accessible campsites; accessible restrooms and showers nearby.
Reservations: ReserveCalifornia.com
Things to know: Hendy Woods has a warmer climate than typical redwood parks,
and temperatures can reach 100 degrees in the summer.
Photo by Mike Shoys
The Hendy Woods State Park day-use area offers
wheelchair-accessible walkways, picnic shelters, vault
toilets, and water fountains.
Image description: A photo of two smiling
people in the foreground walking on a
paved path toward the camera. The older
person uses a cane. A person stands in the
background with a cane. People gather
under a picnic shelter in the background.
Green foliage and blue sky are in the
background.
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A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the Redwoods
Save the Redwoods League | ExploreRedwoods.org
Photo by Syren Nagakyrie
SAMUEL P. TAYLOR STATE PARK
Picnic or camp under the redwoods
The Cross Marin Trail heading west through the Samuel P. Taylor State Park
campground is paved and runs past towering coast redwoods.
Image description: A photo of three hikers in the foreground and
midground walking on a wide, paved path. One hiker uses a cane;
another uses trekking poles. Lush, green foliage and redwoods line the
left side and extend to the background.
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A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the Redwoods
In Marin County, Samuel P. Taylor State Park is a wonderful oasis about a one-hour
drive from San Francisco. The accessible highlight of this park is the opportunity
to camp or picnic under the redwoods. In the Madrone Camp across Sir Francis
Drake Boulevard, there are two new wheelchair-accessible rustic cabins with
electricity. They are set back from the road and offer a quieter and more private
experience than the campsites. You will need to bring your own bedding, including
a mattress. Parking is in front of the cabins, 50-100 feet away. Outside of each cabin
are a potable-water spigot, a picnic table, a grill, and a fire ring, all of which are
accessible. The new restroom and shower facilities are accessible as well.
The Orchard Hill camp has four accessible campsites—one with an asphalt pad—
and no hookups. There are two accessible restroom and shower facilities with
parking. The shower room has a tight turning area and a heavy door. The Creekside
camp has two accessible sites that are usable only in dry weather; one has an
asphalt pad, but the path is slightly broken and uneven, and the grills are not
accessible.
The Azalea picnic area, which is on the left after the park entrance, offers several
picnic areas under the redwoods along the creek. The ground in the picnic area
is generally level and firm natural surface, and a couple of tables can be reached
directly from the paved roadway, but they don’t have wheelchair-accessible
overhangs.
The Cross Marin Trail heading west through the campground is paved and makes
for a nice accessible outing. A loop can be created by taking the South Creek Trail,
however, it has an armored drainage area at the south end that may be difficult to
cross; the surface of the trail is built with flat, uneven rocks that could catch a wheel
or toe, and there is a steep dropoff with only partial barriers.
Location: 8889 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Lagunitas (near San Rafael)
Contact: 415-488-9897, SPTa[email protected]a.gov
Park Fee: $8 day-use fee or annual California State Parks pass
Visitor center: None
Parking: Paved van-accessible parking at the Azalea picnic area and Redwood
Grove group picnic area.
SAMUEL P. TAYLOR STATE PARK
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A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the Redwoods
Suggested activities: Picnicking, camping, birding, watching for spawning salmon
Accessible features and amenities: Cabins, campsites, picnic areas, restrooms,
showers, trails
Trail recommendation: The paved Cross Marin Trail is 3 miles one way, generally
level, and pet friendly.
Camping/lodging: Rustic cabins, campsites. Reservations: ReserveCalifornia.com
Things to know: To access the accessible portion of the Cross Marin Trail, visitors
have to travel on the road into the campground. There may be road noise from Sir
Francis Drake Boulevard.
Photo by Syren Nagakyrie
Samuel P. Taylor State Park offers wheelchair-
accessible campsites.
Image description: A photo of a paved
walkway extending from the foreground
to a campsite with two picnic tables
and a grill. Redwoods and green foliage
stand in the background.
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A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the Redwoods
Photo by Syren Nagakyrie
HENRY COWELL REDWOODS STATE PARK
Visit a redwood grove with an audio tour, a braille brochure, or a loaner wheelchair
The Redwood Loop Interpretive Trail is a flat 0.8-mile loop that winds past ancient coast
redwoods in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.
Image description: A photo shows a wide, dirt trail extending from the
foreground to the background past large coast redwoods. A wooden
fence stands on the right side. Green foliage covers the ground on the
right.
Save the Redwoods League | ExploreRedwoods.org
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A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the Redwoods
In the Santa Cruz Mountains, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park preserves
40 acres of old-growth redwoods, which you can visit on the Redwood Loop
Interpretive Trail. This compacted gravel and firm natural surface trail loops through
the redwood grove with two fascinating features: the Fremont Tree, a large
redwood with an opening in its trunk that is wide enough to wheel through, and a
1,500-year-old redwood that towers 277 feet.
This is a popular trail with families, and park volunteers frequent the loop.
Restrooms are located at the start and about halfway around the loop, where there
are also non-accessible picnic tables set back in the trees. There are numerous
benches along the way, some of them away from the main trail for privacy.
While the trail is wheelchair accessible, there are two obstacles to be aware of
toward the end of the loop. A narrow culvert is partially exposed, and small wheels
could potentially get caught in the gaps; there is 2.5-3 feet of clearance on the left
side to maneuver around if necessary. A root rises 2 inches above the surface in
the center of the trail; it is about 4 inches long, and there is plenty of clearance to
go around it. There is also an approximately 5% grade crossing the old road to the
trailhead.
Location: 101 Big Trees Park Rd., Felton (near Santa Cruz)
Contact: Campground 831-438-2396; Day Use 831-335-4598
Park fee: $10 day-use fee or annual California State Parks pass
Visitor center: Currently open Friday-Monday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Parking: Paved lot with two van-accessible spots and one curb cut in front of the
nature store. The visitor center and trailhead are approximately 300 feet away.
Suggested activities: Birding, picnicking, sitting by the river, hiking through the
redwoods, interpretive programs and exhibits
Accessible features and amenities: Audio-described tour, braille brochures, plain
language brochures, loaner wheelchairs, visitor center, nature store, trails, restrooms,
water fountain, campground
HENRY COWELL REDWOODS STATE PARK
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A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the Redwoods
Attractions: Roaring Camp Railroad, a historic tourist attraction next to the park,
has one wheelchair-accessible spot on the redwood train tour. A mechanical
lift raises riders onto the last car of the train, and there is a secure tie-down for
wheelchairs.
Trail recommendation: Redwood Loop Interpretive Trail is a flat 0.8-mile loop.
The Meadow Trail and River Trail offer additional accessible options. The Pipeline
Road, which is roughly paved and pet-friendly, starts on a 10% decline for 20 feet,
then continues generally level along the river through beautiful second-growth
redwoods.
Camping/lodging: Five accessible campsites with wide, paved parking areas and
accessible picnic tables and fire rings. One accessible bathroom and coin-operated
shower. Reservations: ReserveCalifornia.com
Things to know: The campground has a separate entrance from the park; it is a
2-mile hike or a five-minute drive from the campground to the redwood grove.
Train horns can be heard periodically in the park.
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A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the Redwoods
Save the Redwoods League | ExploreRedwoods.org
COAST REDWOODS
Photo by Paolo Vescia
MUIR WOODS NATIONAL MONUMENT
Old-growth coast redwoods close to San Francisco
Muir Woods features a wide, flat trail past old-growth coast redwoods near San Francisco.
Image description: A photo shot from atop a hill shows a fenced trail
winding through a shadowy coast redwood forest below. Two people
walk on the trail on the left.
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A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the Redwoods
MUIR WOODS NATIONAL MONUMENT
About a 40-minute scenic drive across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco,
Muir Woods National Monument is home to one of the only remaining old-growth
redwood stands in Marin County. The park offers several accessible features for
visitors who are Blind or Deaf, and there are accessible restrooms and parking. The
visitor center is not fully accessible, but the café and gift shops are. The main trail
through Muir Woods starts at the visitor center on a raised accessible boardwalk
and continues for several hundred feet to the Pinchot Tree Area. It then transitions
to asphalt and continues generally level, but there are many large cracks and
potholes. There are interpretive signs and a few benches along the way.
Location: 1 Muir Woods Rd., Mill Valley
Contact: 415-561-4958
Park fee: Annual America the Beautiful Pass or $15 entrance fee per adult, plus a $9
parking fee (parking reservation required, available at gomuirwoods.com)
Visitor center: Open 8 a.m.-30 minutes before the park closes.
Parking: Near the Visitor Center and park entrance.
Suggested activities: Ranger-led tour, birding, nature identification
Accessible features and amenities: Assistive Listening Devices, braille and audio-
described brochures and map, ASL video
Trail recommendation: Muir Woods Trail is 2 miles with a boardwalk, cracked
pavement, and a maximum 19% grade.
Camping/lodging: None
Things to know: A seasonal shuttle service is available by reservation, with two
wheelchair-accessible spots per bus, $3.50 per adult. There is no cell phone service
or Wi-Fi at or around Muir Woods. Download your parking reservation in advance.
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A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the Redwoods
Photo by Daniel Gorostieta
PFEIFFER BIG SUR STATE PARK
Many accessible features include a lodge
The River Path includes an accessible redwood viewing deck at
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.
Image description: Photo of a boardwalk winding
between towering coast redwood trees. Two people walk
on the boardwalk in the midground. A road and a bench
are on the left.
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A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the Redwoods
PFEIFFER BIG SUR STATE PARK
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is currently the only park in Big Sur that remains open
with some accessible features. The park sits on the western slope of the Santa
Lucia Mountains, with towering peaks above the Big Sur River Gorge. It is a
beautiful place for a getaway from the city, with river and forest views. There are
two short accessible trails: the Nature Trail and the River Path that passes through
an accessible redwood viewing deck near the Big Sur Lodge. The lodge offers an
opportunity to stay in comfort in the redwoods, with 61 rooms, cottages, a café, and
a grocery store. The campground has five designated accessible campsites, but the
surface conditions can vary.
Location: Pfeiffer Big Sur Rd., Big Sur
Contact: 831-667-1112
Park fee: $10 day-use fee or annual California State Parks pass
Visitor center: Big Sur Station is located at 47555 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920;
open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Ewoldsen Nature Center is located along the Warden’s
Path on the south side of the Big Sur River; open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday-Sunday.
Parking: Campfire center, day-use area, Nature and River trailheads, nature center,
Big Sur Lodge, campground store and laundry
Suggested activities: Picnicking, camping, wildlife observation, visiting the visitor
center and nature center
Accessible features and amenities: Campsites, campfire center, lodge and café,
picnic area
Trail recommendation: The hard-packed gravel River Trail is 0.45 mile with a
maximum 8% grade and sections of concrete.
Camping/lodging: Five campsites with hard-packed dirt or loose soil; reserve at
ReserveCalifornia.com. Hotel rooms and cottages at Big Sur Lodge.
Things to know: The Big Sur area has been heavily impacted by fire and flooding
and is subject to closures. Always confirm current conditions.
7
20 miles
0
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ARNOLD
NAPA
OAKLAND
VISALIA
THREE
RIVERS
MONTEREY
101
101
580
SAN
FRANCISCO
SANTA CRUZ
SACRAMENTO
YOSEMITE
FRESNO
SAN JOAQUIN RIVER
KINGS RIVER
STOCKTON
PACIFIC
OCEAN
5
5
80
LAKE
TAHOE
190
198
180
65
99
99
4
25
27
32
32
CALAVERAS BIG TREES
KINGS CANYON
SEQUOIA NATIONAL
CALIFORNIA
MAP AREA
N
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GIANT SEQUOIA PARKS
30
30
GIANT SEQUOIA
NATIONAL MONUMENT,
SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST
(NORTHERN PORTION)
GIANT SEQUOIA
NATIONAL MONUMENT,
SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST
(SOUTHERN PORTION)
A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the Redwoods
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A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the Redwoods
Save the Redwoods League | ExploreRedwoods.org
Photo by Max Forster, @maxforsterphotography
CALAVERAS BIG TREES STATE PARK
Three Senses Trail is designed for Blind visitors
The North Grove Trail is a 1.7-mile accessible loop winding past some of the largest giant
sequoias in Calaveras Big Trees State Park.
Image description: A photo of a boardwalk winding between large
giant sequoia trees in a forest. Two people stand on the boardwalk in
the background. Bright green foliage is on both sides of the boardwalk
in the foreground.
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A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the Redwoods
CALAVERAS BIG TREES STATE PARK
In the Sierra Nevada northeast of Stockton, California, Calaveras Big Trees State Park is
home to two giant sequoia groves. A popular destination park, there is one accessible
cabin complete with a kitchen and two bedrooms, plus nine accessible campsites.
The Beaver Creek Picnic Area has accessible parking, picnic sites, and restrooms, and
a 0.68-mile loop trail offering views of the creek. Composed of compacted soil and
gravel, the trail is generally flat at less than 5% slopes with intermittent sections that
are 5%-8%, and two sections at 7 feet and 9 feet with a 10% slope. The North Grove
Trail is a 1.7-mile loop past the largest trees in the park. The surface is a combination
of soil and boardwalk and can be rough with some sections at 5%-8% slopes. The
Three Senses Trail is one of the first trails in California State Parks designed for Blind
users; it includes a guide rope and signs with braille. Guided hikes, campfire programs,
and astronomy nights are offered throughout the summer—contact the park about
accessibility.
Location: 1170 CA-4, Arnold
Contact: 209-795-2334
Park fee: $10-$12 day-use fee or annual California State Parks pass
Visitor center: Open in May, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Memorial Day weekend, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.;
June-August, Sunday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Parking: North Grove and Beaver Creek picnic areas, South Grove trailhead, visitor
center, Stanislaus River trailhead, campfire center, Jack Knight Hall
Suggested activities: Camping, wildlife observation, picnicking, museum, tours
Accessible features and amenities: Campsites, cabins, picnic areas, visitor center,
campfire center, rental hall, trails
Trail recommendation: The Three Senses Trail, is 0.13 mile and flat with guide ropes
and braille. Access to this trail is approximately 500 feet down the North Grove Trail.
The trail is constructed of compacted soil and boardwalks. It is generally flat at less
than 5% slopes. An alternate access to the trail is from a parking lot near the trailhead.
This parking lot does not have accessible parking spaces, and users would have to
cross a park road.
Camping/lodging: Campsites, cabins, RV sites. Reservations: ReserveCalifornia.com
Things to know: The park can experience heavy snowfall in winter.
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A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the Redwoods
Save the Redwoods League | ExploreRedwoods.org
Photo by jenkinson2455, Flickr Creative Commons, CC By NC 2.0
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
Experience the famous Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Visitors with a disabled parking placard can drive on some private roads, including the
road to Mariposa Grove, the largest grove of giant sequoias in Yosemite National Park.
Image description: A photo of huge giant sequoia trees rising from
yellow and green ground cover. The air is misty.
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A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the Redwoods
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
The famed Yosemite National Park spans over 1,100 square miles and can be
difficult to navigate as a disabled person. With some planning, it is possible
to experience this iconic area of giant sequoias, towering granite peaks, and
wildflower meadows.
Travel options through the park include a free shuttle bus and paid tram tours, as
well as scenic driving routes. Visitors with a disabled parking placard can drive on
some private roads, including the road to Mariposa Grove. It is the largest grove of
giant sequoias in the park, but without a disability placard, you must hike 2 miles
one way with 500 feet of elevation gain to reach the grove. Merced Grove and
Tuolumne Grove have no vehicle access. Hiking to Merced Grove includes 600 feet
of elevation gain and is 3 miles round trip. Hiking to Tuolomne Grove includes 400
feet of elevation gain and is 2.5 miles round trip, with a 1-mile-long 7.5% grade. The
park offers an award-winning Deaf Services Program with ASL interpreters available
on request. Most of the historic buildings have been updated to be accessible, and
many of the exhibits and interpretive signs have tactile elements.
Location: High Sierra Nevada mountains, approximately 195 miles from San
Francisco. West entrances: 1) Hetch Hetchy is located 1 hour, 15 minutes from
Yosemite Valley. The Hetch Hetchy Road begins just outside the park on Highway
120, near the Big Oak Flat Entrance. 2) Big Oak Flat on Big Oak Flat Road
(continuation of Highway 120 from the west) is about 24 miles from Groveland
and from Yosemite Valley. 3) Arch Rock on El Portal Road (Highway 140) is about
32 miles from the nearest town of Mariposa. 4) East entrance: Tioga Pass Road
(Highway 120) near Lee Vining.
Contact: 209-379-1035, Accessibility Coordinator; 209-372-0200, General
Park fee: Annual America the Beautiful Pass or $35 entrance fee with a required
entrance reservation between May 20 and September 30, 2022. $2 fee processed
through Recreation.gov.
Visitor centers: 1) Valley Wilderness Center is open May-October and offers
information and permits for wilderness backpacking. 2) Happy Isles Art and Nature
Center is open May-September and offers natural history exhibits, interactive
displays, and art workshops. 3) Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center is open late
May-early September and offers a children’s corner, a library, and environmental
education and evening programs. 4) Wawona Visitor Center at Hill’s Studio is open
May-October and offers information and paintings. 5) Yosemite History Center
features historic buildings and demonstrations.
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A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the Redwoods
Suggested activities: Scenic driving, tram tours, art and history tours, picnicking,
camping
Parking: A map with accessible parking locations, picnic areas, restrooms and
campgrounds for Yosemite Valley is in the Yosemite Accessibility Guide linked
below.
Accessible features and amenities: Yosemite Accessibility Guide, Deaf Services
Program, visual guide for people with aphasia, audio-described brochure
Trail recommendation: Big Trees Loop Trail in Mariposa Grove is 0.3 mile, relatively
flat, and wheelchair accessible. The trail may have snow or ice in the winter.
Attractions: Yosemite Museum, Indian Village of Ahwahnee, Ansel Adams Gallery
Camping/lodging: ADA-accessible hotel rooms at The Ahwahnee and Yosemite
Valley Lodge; cabins, canvas tents, campsites. Camping reservations at recreation.
gov
Things to know: The Yosemite Accessibility Guide has been updated as of May
2022. Reservations are required to enter the park during the summer; many areas
are icy or under heavy snow in winter.
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A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the Redwoods
Photo by Harold Litwiler, Flickr Creative Commons, CC BY 2.0
GIANT SEQUOIA NATIONAL MONUMENT
Enjoy the Trail of 100 Giants
Trail of 100 Giants is a 1.3-mile paved trail through a beautiful grove in Giant Sequoia
National Monument.
Image description: A photo of a paved trail and bridge in a forest of
giant sequoias. Two people stand off trail in the background.
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A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the Redwoods
GIANT SEQUOIA NATIONAL MONUMENT
In the heart of the Sierra Nevada mountains, Giant Sequoia National Monument
includes 33 giant sequoia groves. The monument consists of two separate portions:
the northern portion near Dunlap at Highway 180 and Highway 198, and the
southern portion near Springville at Highway 190. The Indian Basin Trail in the
north is a paved 1.2-mile loop through a giant sequoia grove with benches and
interpretive signs along the way. A second loop continues deeper into the grove
on a firm natural surface. The southern portion features the Trail of 100 Giants, a
1.3-mile paved trail through a beautiful grove. Though technically a loop trail, it
must be completed as an out and back due to a boardwalk that was removed
after fire damage. Alternating portions of the trail will be closed through 2022 for
repairs. This trail is only accessible by road during the summer. The monument is
surrounded by Sequoia National Forest and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National
Parks, offering a vast area to experience these magnificent trees.
Location: Sierra Nevada mountains north of Bakersfield, with two units: the
northern portion near Dunlap and the southern portion near Springville.
Contact: 559-784-1500
Park fee: Annual America the Beautiful Pass or day-use fee (varies) at developed
recreation sites
Visitor center: None
Suggested activities: Scenic driving, hiking, picnicking
Accessible features and amenities: Picnic tables, benches, parking
Trail recommendation: Trail of 100 Giants is 1.3 miles with a maximum 6% grade.
Camping/lodging: Campsites, RV sites, yurts; not fully accessible. Reservations at
recreation.gov
Things to know: Roads and trails are subject to winter closures and fire repair work.
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A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the Redwoods
Photo by mmmmngai@rogers.com, Flickr Creative Commons, CC BY SA 2.0
SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS
Experience the world’s largest tree
Sequoia National Park is home to the world’s largest tree, the
General Sherman giant sequoia.
Image description: A photo of a huge giant sequoia
surrounded by a wooden fence. Two people stand
in front of the fence in the midground. In the
foreground, a sign stands with the name of the
tree, General Sherman. Smaller trees stand in the
background.
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A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the Redwoods
SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS
Two parks managed as one, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks contain
five different areas: Foothills, Mineral King, Giant Forest & Lodgepole, Grant Grove,
and Cedar Grove. Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park and Grant Grove in Kings
Canyon National Park are the largest sequoia groves. The former is home to the
world’s largest and perhaps most famous tree, the General Sherman Tree. The trail
is paved but has stairs; those with a disability parking placard may drive on the
private road and park in a small lot for a short wheelchair-accessible trail to the
tree. A shuttle also runs during the summer. The second-largest tree, the General
Grant Tree, is in Grant Grove. The trail to it is paved and has steep sections; it is not
wheelchair accessible but does have tactile signs.
Location: Sierra Nevada mountains near Fresno. The Ash Mountain entrance to
Sequoia National Park is on Highway 198 at the town of Three Rivers. The Big Stump
entrance to Kings Canyon National Park is on Highway 180 from the west via Fresno.
Contact: 559-565-3341
Park fee: Annual America the Beautiful pass or $35 entrance fee
Visitor center: Foothills Visitor Center and Kings Canyon Visitor Center are open
daily, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., year-round. Giant Forest Museum is open Friday-Monday,
10 a.m.-4 p.m., and closed on Thanksgiving. Lodgepole Visitor Center is closed
indefinitely for renovations. Cedar Grove Visitor Center is open seasonally from
Memorial Day weekend to mid-September, 9 a.m-4:30 p.m., with some weekday
closures toward the fall.
Parking: All striped and paved lots have at least one accessible space. See the
accessibility guide linked below for more information.
Suggested activities: Scenic driving, overnight lodging and camping, picnicking,
interpretive programs, museums
Accessible features and amenities: Accessibility guide in multiple formats
including videos; tactile wayfinding maps and exhibits; ASL interpreters; assistive
listening devices; wheelchairs
Trail recommendation: Big Trees Trail is a 0.7-mile loop with a maximum 8% grade,
pavement, and boardwalk.
Camping/lodging: ADA-accessible hotel rooms at Wuksachi Lodge and John Muir
Lodge; campsites. Camping reservations at recreation.gov
Things to know: The parks are remote and accessed by winding mountain roads,
which may close in winter. Vehicle length limits are in place.
A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the Redwoods
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grandeur that once graced the California coast
and the Sierra Nevada, protected forever, restored
to grow old again, and connected with all people
through magnificent parks that inspire all of us with
the beauty and power of nature.
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