Making the White House Trail Accessible in Canyon de Chelly National Monument

 

Some adventures become milestones. Our June 2007 visit to Canyon de Chelly National Monument was one of those days.

The White House Trail was unlike anything we had attempted before. Dropping roughly 600 feet from the canyon rim to the canyon floor, the trail is narrow, steep, rocky, and lined with dramatic sandstone cliffs. At the time, many people believed taking a child with significant mobility limitations down the trail was impossible.

More than one person told us, "You can't do that."

We decided to find out for ourselves.

An Accessible Visit to Saguaro National Park

 

In March 2016, our family reached Saguaro National Park during one of the biggest adventures of our lives—a cross-country move from St. Johns, Florida, to Roseville, California. After days of driving across the South, the Sonoran Desert was unlike anything we had seen. Towering saguaro cacti stood like silent guardians across the hillsides, stretching their arms toward a cloudless Arizona sky. Every mile brought a new landscape, making this stop feel less like a break from the drive and more like an unforgettable destination.

Accessible Guide to Hiking and Backpacking the North Rim in Grand Canyon National Park

In June 2010, our family discovered that the Grand Canyon's quieter North Rim offered not only breathtaking scenery but also an unforgettable wilderness adventure that could include Kellisa every step of the way. While most visitors experience the canyon from busy overlooks, we combined spectacular accessible viewpoints with a memorable night camping in the backcountry, creating one of the most unique experiences of our travels.

Wheelchair Accessible Trails at Petrified Forest National Park

Petrified Forest National Park marked a memorable milestone for Chris, Kellisa, and Egypt. During their cross-country move from Jacksonville, Florida, to Roseville, California in January 2016, Arizona became the 40th state that the three explored together. The stop was part of a whirlwind journey west, proving that even while relocating across the country, there is always time to add another adventure to Kellisa's growing list of accessible hikes.

The photos capture a landscape unlike almost anywhere else in America. They show Kellisa smiling beside enormous, fossilized tree trunks that have been transformed into colorful stone over more than 200 million years. Other images highlight sweeping views across the Painted Desert, where layers of red, purple, gray, and orange stretch to the horizon. We also photographed the surreal Blue Mesa badlands, whose soft blue and lavender hills resemble another planet, along with overlooks where the wheelchair could be positioned safely to enjoy the scenery. Together, the pictures emphasize that the park is about much more than petrified logs—it is a place of vast open vistas, remarkable geology, and shared family memories. 

Accessible Trails in Alaska

 

 Not All Accessible Trails Found Below are ADA Complaint

1.        Roadside Bike Trail

  2.        The Trail of Blue Ice

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