Wheelchair Accessible In The Smokies 2024

The Smoky Mountains and American Patriot Getaways cabins have many wheelchair accessible adventures and cabins.

Though not ADA compliant, an accessible APG cabin is a property that typically has a level parking spot. In addition, it has no more than one step required for entry, utilizes a 3-foot or greater entry door, and include an entry-level bedroom and bathroom.

If a member of your group requires special accommodation, please be sure to call our reservations office at (800) 204-5169 for specific questions about accessibility.

Let’s look at some cabins!

Blue Mountain Views

This cabin has the view everyone thinks of when they picture themselves relaxing on the covered porch enjoying the scenery. Multi-layered Blue Mountain Views await you at this lovely one bedroom one bath cabin. Convenient to Pigeon Forge in a quiet resort, Blue Mountain Views has covered porches on three sides with private back deck and hot tub. Grill out and have a picnic or kick back in the hot tub. You’ll want to spend some time enjoying the Smoky Mountain scenery!

Inside a vaulted living room with sleeper sofa and recliner rest in front of a stone, wood-burning fireplace perfect for those winter getaways. Make a cup of hot cocoa in the fully equipped kitchen and watch the game on the LCD TV. Be sure to enjoy the master suite with its in-room jacuzzi and attached bath with shower. The romantic master is perfect for enjoying a little luxury on your vacation. Expand your horizons.

Sweet Mountain Escape

Your visit to Sweet Mountain Escape starts at the large flat and level parking area and enter a vaulted living room with windows stretching to the ceiling to let in plenty of natural light. The open-concept first floor has a fully equipped kitchen and dining space for the whole family to dine together. Grill up your favorite supper on the charcoal grill and enjoy it on the screened-in porch, which also includes a steamy hot tub. Surrounded by trees and lush vegetation, you’ll find it hard to go back indoors. Enjoy the warmth of a stone gas fireplace from the king-sized bed in one of 2 master suites.

Terrrace Garden Manor

With covered parking, six bedrooms, laundry and a home theater on the first floor, this cabin makes room for wheelchairs in a lot of space.

In all, it has 13 bedrooms and is pet friendly too!

The home is built in the estate area of Chalet Village and backs up to incredible views and 3000 acres of undeveloped natural forest with abundant wildlife. This chalet, custom designed by the famous architect Hubert Bebb of Community Tectonics, was the 1968 Southern Living featured home of the year. The chalet accommodates 40 guests and boasts one of the best views in the Smokies! Grill out, relax in the hot tub, or roast some marshmallows around the outdoor fire pit.

With tons of parking and even covered parking too, this cabin is perfect for car shows, motorcyclists, church groups, and family reunions. You can even have a wedding in the outdoor shelter with portable tables and chairs included. At 6,050 square feet, your group can spread out in Gatlinburg’s best location close to Ober Mountain.

Bearadise Bungalow

This luxury log cabin is the perfect getaway accessible without any winding mountain roads. It features two primary bedrooms with king beds, two bathrooms, an indoor jetted tub and a cozy fireplace.

The basement is a haven for fun with a pool table, twin bunk beds, arcade games, and smart TVs. Room to sleep 8, it’s ideal for family gatherings and couple’s retreats.

Relax in the romantic private hot tub or enjoy the outdoors on the covered deck. After an adventurous day, relax in the rocking chairs or the front porch swing. There is space to
hang out while you prepare a feast on a large park grill. Plus, there’s ample parking for up to four vehicles, multiple motorcycles or a truck and trailer.

For more accessible cabins, click the link here.

Check out Smoky Mountain Adventures!

From trails in the mountains to an aquarium, adventure and water parks, shopping, dinner shows and more, Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) and the towns around it offer lots to do for everyone. These adventures are sites from the car and wheelchair accessible paths and entries.

There are many wheelchair-friendly trails in the park, which is included in the free national parks pass for U.S. residents with permanent disabilities. The mail-in process has a $10 processing fee. In the Smoky Mountains, anyone with valid, state-issued disabled placards or license plates are exempt from the GSMNP parking tag requirement.

Wheelchair Friendly Trails

Clingman’s Dome, the highest point in the Smokies, is the mountain peak with an observation tower at the top. There is accessible parking and a very steep paved trail. Visitors suggest use of a powered wheelchair for the winding trail, and even then, use your best judgment for safety because the air is thin and it’s not an easy adventure. They say it’s worth the trip if you can go up to fully take in the view.

Cades Cove is one of the most visited areas of the park because the 11-mile loop road closed to traffic on Wednesdays, the history, and the wildlife. Designated accessible parking spaces are available in the campground/picnic area parking lot across from the ranger station. The Cades Cove Campground Store and adjacent restrooms are accessible. A ramp provides access to the visitor center where information, exhibits, and books are available. Restrooms and water fountains outside the visitor center are accessible.

Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail

“Designated accessible parking spaces are available at Sugarlands Visitor Center and the restrooms are accessible. The visitor center is open year-round, except on Christmas Day, and is fully accessible. The information desk, book sales area, and exhibits are all on one level. Accessible ranger-led programs are listed in the Smokies Guide, the official park newspaper.

“The Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail, located on Newfound Gap Road, just south of Sugarlands Visitor Center, is an accessible trail made possible through a public-private partnership. The trail winds through second growth forest along the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River and offers a quiet woodland experience” with beautiful rock walls.

Parkwide Facilities

Amphitheaters – The most accessible amphitheater is at Cades Cove. It is level, and adjacent restrooms are accessible. The amphitheaters at Elkmont and Smokemont have paved trails, but they are steep and may require assistance.

Auto Tours – The park’s backroads offer a chance to escape traffic and explore remote areas. A road guide and self-guided auto tour booklets are available for several popular, and a few quieter destinations in the park including Cades Cove, Newfound Gap Road, Roaring Fork, Tremont, and Cataloochee. All items may be purchased at visitor centers.

Camping – Reservations for an “accessible unit” (wheelchair accessible) can be made for campsites in three campgrounds: Cades Cove, Elkmont, and Smokemont. Cades Cove and Smokemont have accessible sites year-round, while Elkmont’s accessible sites are seasonal. Accessible sites are generally level and located adjacent to accessible restrooms. The campsites have been modified with paving, specialized tables, and fire grills. For reservations, call 1-877-444-6777 or visit recreation.gov.

Horseback riding

Horse Camp – Big Creek Horse Camp has an accessible campsite and restrooms that are open seasonally. Reservations are required by calling 1-877-444-6777 or visiting recreation.gov.

Horseback Riding Stables – The restrooms at Smokemont and Sugarlands riding stables are accessible.

Adventures in Town

Whether you want to go to Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg or Sevierville, there are wheelchair accessible adventures for everyone.

Skylift Park

Gatlinburg SkyLift Park overlooks Gatlinburg and offers up “sweeping panoramic views” of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Staff can accommodate disabled individuals on the SkyLift, SkyDeck, lower level of the SkyCenter, and the elevated boardwalk portion of the SkyTrail. However, the SkyBridge is not wheelchair accessible. Please see the Accessibility page for details.

The SkyDeck, which is the main level of the SkyCenter snack bar and gift shop, is the elevated boardwalk portion of the SkyTrail and is wheelchair accessible.

Dollywood

Now spanning 160 acres, Dollywood wins awards annually as the “friendliest park atmosphere in the world.” Highly themed with Smoky Mountains history and preservation, key attractions include daily demonstrations of turn-of-the-century crafts, one-of-a-kind rides, and award-winning entertainment.

Visit Dollywood’s Ride Accessibility Center to enter an attraction thru the accessibility entrance. A Host at the Center will provide detailed information about rider requirements. Also, riders can receive a Boarding Pass to rides they will enjoy. The center is located inside the park next to the Dollywood Emporium. Also, check out the Dollywood Accessibility and Rider Requirement Guide, Park Map Guide and Entertainment Schedule for helpful resources to assist in planning.

Check out this first-hand look at accessibility at Dollywood.

Splash Country

When Dollywood’s Splash Country introduced Accessibility Tubes in 2017, it enabled guests with limited mobility the opportunity to enjoy water attractions they had never been able to experience before. Water wheelchairs also are available for those who want to enjoy the attractions but need assistance transferring from their personal wheelchair to a floatation device. These Aquatic Transfer Wheelchairs may be used in areas where there is a zero-depth entry and no water with a moving current.

Read more about Dollywood and Splash Country here.

Anakeesta

Located in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg with mountain views and 70 forested acres of fun and relaxation. Also, Anakeesta is a mountain playground for all ages with some of the most spectacular views.

While some parts – the Treetop Skywalk for example – are not wheelchair accessible, the best parts of Anakeesta are. These include dining, Firefly Village shops, and the view. Along with these are Vista Gardens and scenic viewing platforms and are accessible to all. The Gondola cabins are 32″ wide and 49″ deep to accommodate both wheelchairs and strollers for the ride to the summit.

Read our blog about Anakeesta for all there is do and see here.

Space Needle

The iconic Gatlinburg Space Needle landmark is a 407-foot observation tower that overlooks downtown Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains. Ride the glass elevators to the observation deck for a 360° view of the Great Smoky Mountains and Gatlinburg.

Check out the Space Needle web cam here. Find the Space Needle at 115 Historic Nature Trail Gatlinburg, 865-436-4629.

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies also is a Certified Autism Center. The museum plays host several sensory-friendly events and nights throughout the year that offer lowered lighting and music throughout the facility. The museum also offers quiet spaces for those who need a break during their visit.

There are so many adventures at the 85,000-square-foot Aquarium of the Smokies, including sharks, eels, weedy spinefish, green sea turtles many other creatures in the ocean realm of the aquarium. Piranhas and poisonous dart frogs inhabit the Tropical Rain Forest. You can Splash with the Rays, Sleep with the Sharks and interact with penguins on a trip. Check out the penguin cam to get a look at the family you could meet. You can touch a jellyfish too!

Sensory-Friendly Nights

The aquarium has sensory-friendly nights for a quieter experience – perfect for those families of children who experience autism or other sensory processing disorders. Families receive $3.00 off admission – just mention “Sensory Nights” at the admission windows to receive the discount.

Find the aquarium at 88 River Rd, Gatlinburg, (865) 430-8808.

The aquarium does not have designated handicap parking; however, the city does own a lot directly behind the aquarium. All city owned lots are pay lots that max out at $8.00/day. Each level on the parking garage does have designated handicap parking available. Wheelchairs and noise canceling headphones are available free of charge at the Guest Services counter on a first come first serve basis.

Other Ripley’s Attractions

Most of Ripley’s other Gatlinburg adventures are handicap accessible too! Gatlinburg’s Ripley’s Believe It or Not! has eight fun, and sometimes heart-stopping, and super weird adventures. They include an Odditorium – a place where people can marvel at artifacts Ripley collected, as well as people – or replicas and videos of people – with amazing and unbelievable talents.