Yosemite vs. Yellowstone for the Mobility Challenged

[tarheelmjfan]

Some of you may remember that I was hesitant to visit Yellowstone in May, when we were in Montana for DH's job, due to health issues. My knees are toast & I have debilitating back problems. For those reasons, I'm very limited in what I'm able to do.

You all convinced me that I would be able to enjoy enough of the park to make it worthwhile. You were so right. We had a fantastic, if limited, trip. As a matter of fact, we had such a good time that we left there wanting to return some day & wanting to visit other National Parks.

We tried Acadia last month, which didn't go as well. Most of the terrain was beyond my capabilities.

Not to be deterred, we're now considering Yosemite in October. So, how does Yosemite compare to Yellowstone for those who can't do any type of remotely strenuous hiking? I'm able to walk with a cane, but rough terrain & long distances are out. The same goes for steps. Would I be able to see/do enough to warrant the flight from the east coast?

 

[irlandaise]

Not to be deterred, we're now considering Yosemite in October. So, how does Yosemite compare to Yellowstone for those who can't do any type of remotely strenuous hiking? I'm able to walk with a cane, but rough terrain & long distances are out. The same goes for steps. Would I be able to see/do enough to warrant the flight from the east coast?

Yosemite Valley is eminently walkable; there's even a wheelchair-accessible route to Lower Yosemite Fall. (I know you didn't mention a wheelchair, but I'm mentioning that to show how accessible that route is for people with mobility impairments.) Note that Yosemite Falls is at its best in the spring and dries up at some point in the summer. I just checked the videos from this weekend and there's still some water but it isn't very impressive.

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/lowerfalltrail.htm

The newly renovated Bridalveil Fall trail is also accessible:

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/bridalveilfalltrail.htm

Bridalveil Creek runs all year but again, is more impressive in the spring.

There's also the pretty Cook's Meadow loop in the valley:

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/cooksmeadowtrail.htm

You'd also be able to take the free shuttle bus to Happy Isles and see that beautiful part of the Merced River as well as the Art and Nature Center.

You could also visit Glacier Point and Tuolumne Meadows.

And of course you could get a ground-floor room at Yosemite Lodge so you wouldn't have to climb stairs.

There's an Accessibility Guide on this page:

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm

Have fun!!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Thanks so much for the info. It's very helpful.

It's good to know there are wheelchair accessible routes, even though I'll be using a cane or possibly a walker. It means the terrain is possible, if the distance is short enough to see most sights.

Now, you have me wondering about the October time frame. We'll most likely only visit once. Should we wait for the Spring instead?

 

[irlandaise]

Now, you have me wondering about the October time frame. We'll most likely only visit once. Should we wait for the Spring instead?

It depends on what you want to see. Fall is a beautiful time in Yosemite Valley, but Yosemite Falls won't be running and the others will be diminished. When I was little, my family often went during Easter vacation, and it was magnificent.

Here's what Upper Yosemite Fall currently looks like:

https://yosemite.org/webcams/yosemite-falls/

It will be gone entirely soon.

 

[LuvOrlando]

When I was planning for our Florida trip I poked around Youtube to find vloggers who seemed to match up with my level and listened for tips. Have you tried to find handicapped vloggers who enjoy National Parks for tips?

Also, I found this for people who enjoy the outdoors.

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/accessible-national-parks

https://www.travelandleisure.com/wheelchair-accessible-national-park-trails-7500063

I noticed some Massachusetts beaches have been installing blue grip ramp pads for wheelchair beach access, the world is getting there.
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/accessible-beaches

https://www.spedchildmass.com/2024/05/20/accessible-beachesbeach-wheelchairs-in-massachusetts/#:~:text=Revere Beach, Revere, 1 Sand,Sand Chair, 1 Floating Wheelchair.

 

[bcla]

I'd ask what you might want to see at Yellowstone. It's very big and it really depends. Some of the areas are on hills, but I'd say the Old Faithful area is pretty reasonable.

Yosemite Valley is pretty flat if you stay on the valley floor. The other thing is the free valley floor shuttle bus. So if driving around a lot is an issue, that helps. If your knees are in that shape, I'm guessing the Mist Trail is not going to happen. Because that's the one waterfall that looks fine even when the water level is low. I don't think there's been a recorded time when there was no water on the Merced River, while Yosemite Falls (fed by Yosemite Creek) goes dry late into the season most years.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

It depends on what you want to see. Fall is a beautiful time in Yosemite Valley, but Yosemite Falls won't be running and the others will be diminished. When I was little, my family often went during Easter vacation, and it was magnificent.

Here's what Upper Yosemite Fall currently looks like:

https://yosemite.org/webcams/yosemite-falls/

It will be gone entirely soon.

Thanks for the video. We're really hesitating on visiting in October, after reading your posts.

We're now considering Vegas & Disneyland in October, then Yosemite in the spring. Naturally, I'm going to have to do more research on Disneyland, before committing to that. We would want to make sure we can see everything, while we're there. We may never return.

When I was planning for our Florida trip I poked around Youtube to find vloggers who seemed to match up with my level and listened for tips. Have you tried to find handicapped vloggers who enjoy National Parks for tips?

Also, I found this for people who enjoy the outdoors.

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/accessible-national-parks

https://www.travelandleisure.com/wheelchair-accessible-national-park-trails-7500063

I noticed some Massachusetts beaches have been installing blue grip ramp pads for wheelchair beach access, the world is getting there.
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/accessible-beaches

https://www.spedchildmass.com/2024/05/20/accessible-beachesbeach-wheelchairs-in-massachusetts/#:~:text=Revere Beach, Revere, 1 Sand,Sand Chair, 1 Floating Wheelchair.

TBH, I'm not really a fan of travel vlogs. I don't have the patience to watch people ramble on & on, before they finally get to the info I'm watching for. I much prefer the back & forth communication that you get on a forum.

I do appreciate the suggestion & will look for some vloggers. Unfortunately, it's not as simple as looking for handicapped vloggers. I don't use a wheelchair, so I need to find vloggers that use a cane or walker, can't climb steps & can't walk long distances without frequent rests.

The beaches near us have blue pads for wheelchair use. They're a wonderful thing for those who need them.

I'd ask what you might want to see at Yellowstone. It's very big and it really depends. Some of the areas are on hills, but I'd say the Old Faithful area is pretty reasonable.

Yosemite Valley is pretty flat if you stay on the valley floor. The other thing is the free valley floor shuttle bus. So if driving around a lot is an issue, that helps. If your knees are in that shape, I'm guessing the Mist Trail is not going to happen. Because that's the one waterfall that looks fine even when the water level is low. I don't think there's been a recorded time when there was no water on the Merced River, while Yosemite Falls (fed by Yosemite Creek) goes dry late into the season most years.

We don't really have a list of things we want to see. We want to see everything I'm physically able to experience.

Before posting this thread, I searched best NPs to visit in October & Yosemite was high on the list. Then I came here & found out we'd be missing out on the best of the waterfalls. We'd rather change our dates than go at a nonoptimal time.

The question I should have asked in the OP is, when is the best time for someone in my situation to visit, if we only plan to go once & want to see as much as I physically can?

 

[irlandaise]

We're now considering Vegas & Disneyland in October, then Yosemite in the spring. Naturally, I'm going to have to do more research on Disneyland, before committing to that. We would want to make sure we can see everything, while we're there. We may never return.

Pros: Wonderful Hallowe'en decorations, including the "Nightmare Before Christmas" overlay in Haunted Mansion. (Opening early this year! Day after tomorrow.) Oogie Boogie Bash party nights. Nice weather; after the summer heat but before the rainy season.

Con: October has become a very busy time at Disneyland. Maybe only second to the weeks just before Christmas. (Or even more so??) Others who've been there at that time can tell you more, but I've read such reports many times.

The question I should have asked in the OP is, when is the best time for someone in my situation to visit, if we only plan to go once & want to see as much as I physically can?

I'm still recommending March/April/May for Yosemite. Waterfalls, dogwoods, redbuds...it's gorgeous!

 

[ahutton]

Within the last year we went to Mesa Verde National Park and had a great time. I do not recommend going down into Cliff Palace with mobility issues but there are many overlooks that are incredible as well as the museum.
We took my son to White Sands NP, they have a Boardwalk that was huge fun for me. I walked several steps ( I'm hemiplegic, left side paralyzed) and my wheelchair was easy to navigate.
Shenandoah Skyline Drive was the hit of our summer road trip. We did not walk any trails but there is an accessible trail in almost every national park.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Pros: Wonderful Hallowe'en decorations, including the "Nightmare Before Christmas" overlay in Haunted Mansion. (Opening early this year! Day after tomorrow.) Oogie Boogie Bash party nights. Nice weather; after the summer heat but before the rainy season.

Con: October has become a very busy time at Disneyland. Maybe only second to the weeks just before Christmas. (Or even more so??) Others who've been there at that time can tell you more, but I've read such reports many times.


I'm still recommending March/April/May for Yosemite. Waterfalls, dogwoods, redbuds...it's gorgeous!

Ooh, I love dogwoods. My favorite tree/plant. Thanks again for the info.

ETA: Now, I'm also questioning DIsneyland in October. As you can imagine, my time in the parks is very limited as it is. I will have to purchase LLMP & still won't be able to ride more than a handful of rides a day on a good day. The added crowds may make doing everything unlikely, even with a 5 or 6 night stay.

Within the last year we went to Mesa Verde National Park and had a great time. I do not recommend going down into Cliff Palace with mobility issues but there are many overlooks that are incredible as well as the museum.
We took my son to White Sands NP, they have a Boardwalk that was huge fun for me. I walked several steps ( I'm hemiplegic, left side paralyzed) and my wheelchair was easy to navigate.
Shenandoah Skyline Drive was the hit of our summer road trip. We did not walk any trails but there is an accessible trail in almost every national park.

Thank you for the suggestions. I'll look into Mesa Verde & White Sands.

We've driven past the entrance to Shenandoah Skyline Drive several times the past few years, when DH was in the area for work. We definitely need to take the time to do the drive the next time we're up there.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

@irlandaise & others, DH brought up a good point. We're South Floridians, so the warmer the weather the better. Would we miss anything, if we wait until the beginning of May? I know you mentioned March, April & May, but I overthink everything.

 

[irlandaise]

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/may.htm

 

[tarheelmjfan]

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/may.htm

Thanks

 

[irlandaise]

Thanks

It depends on the snowpack and the arrival of warm weather, of course, but the fact that NPS says that May is the best time for waterfalls should align with your plans just fine!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

It depends on the snowpack and the arrival of warm weather, of course, but the fact that NPS says that May is the best time for waterfalls should align with your plans just fine!

Sounds perfect. I'm really excited to see the dogwoods too.

 

[jimmymc]

Yosemite features a lot of spectacular views right from the road. I think you would definitely enjoy it.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Yosemite features a lot of spectacular views right from the road. I think you would definitely enjoy it.

Thanks