- The National Park Service is launching an adaptive program in 2023 to make Great Smoky Mountains National Park more accessible to visitors with disabilities.
- This year, the park will host ranger-led adaptation programs from June 8th to October 5th.
- Visitors can choose from biking and hiking (including boat tours), as well as new kayaking and camping options.
On a recent afternoon in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Carly Pearson’s hiking gear had three wheels.
Pearson, who was injured while fighting a wildfire and is paralyzed from the waist down, used an all-terrain wheelchair to avoid roots, mud and other hikers on his way to a nearby waterfall.
Just two years ago, that wasn’t possible, and the National Park Service, along with several partners, has launched an adaptation program to make the county’s most-visited national park more accessible to visitors with disabilities.
“Now I can hike with my daughter to Cataract Falls and say, ‘Look at this. Look at this waterfall right now,’ and give her the opportunity to enjoy nature,” said Pearson, who is also the ADA coordinator for Knox County, Tennessee, and an ambassador and volunteer for Catalyst Sports, a disability recreation nonprofit. Both organizations are partners of the NPS.
The offerings were expanded this year after initially debuting in 2023. “We want the park to be an inclusive outdoor community where the public can come with their families and friends and hike together regardless of ability,” park manager Katie Corrigan said.
Is there access to Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
This year, the park, which straddles North Carolina and Tennessee, will host ranger-led adaptive programming from June 8 to October 5. Visitors can choose from biking and hiking (including those with boat tours) and new kayaking and camping options. A full list can be found on the Catalyst website.
For visitors who prefer to explore on their own, the park has four GRIT Freedom Chairs (three for adults and one for children) available to rent. The equipment can be used on approximately 12 miles of trails in various sections of the park.
Visitors should be aware that they need upper body mobility to operate the chair independently: “If you can’t use your arms, you can just remove the lever and have someone push it,” Corrigan says. Users should always be accompanied by a companion, such as a friend or a park volunteer.
How do I register for adaptive programming at the park?
Participants can register online for ranger-led programs, with activities typically offered in morning and afternoon sessions.
Wheelchairs are available at the park’s Sugar Lands Visitor Center Monday through Tuesday on a first-come, first-served basis. On Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, visitors can reserve wheelchairs for specific times. Reservations for this year opened on Saturday.
As of October 1, chairs will be available on a first-come, first-served basis only (but this is subject to change and will be reflected on the park’s website).
When the park first provided the chairs last summer, demand was high. “We get so many requests that we don’t have enough chairs or people to help service them,” Corrigan said. The park is working to train volunteers and is considering adding other amenities.
Accessible Travel:What can national parks do to make outdoor activities more enjoyable for people with disabilities?
How much does adaptive programming for parks cost?
Both ranger-led programs and wheelchair access are complimentary.
“This is everyone’s park,” Pearson said. “Everyone should be able to enjoy it. Everyone should participate.”
Nathan Diller is USA TODAY’s consumer travel writer based in Nashville. He can be reached at ndiller@usatoday.com.
