Many National Forest are known for their rugged wildernesses and challenging backcountry trails. However, there are plenty of destinations that offer ways for people across the mobility spectrum to enjoy National Forests and Grasslands – from adaptive skiing and snowboarding in the winter, boating and fishing in the summer, and (drum roll please) leaf peeping in the fall!

Whether you use a wheelchair or are traveling with a stroller, here are five accessible National Forest destinations for visitors with a variety of mobility needs to enjoy all the fiery reds, brilliant oranges, and glittering golds our public lands have to offer this fall.

Convict Lake

Inyo National Forest, California

Nestled in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, Convict Lake is famous for its deep blue waters, brilliant fall colors, and magnificent views of Mount Morrison. Named after an infamous shoot-out between escaped convicts and a sheriff’s posse in the 1870s, today Convict Lake offers visitors a peaceful place to rest, reconnect with nature, and savor the changing of the season.

Just off Highway 395, this scenic area is the perfect place to stop for a picnic, catch a few trout, and take a stroll along the lake shore. The East Shore Trail is a short, paved trail that provides easy access to the east side of the lake, and there are several benches along the trail for visitors to stop and enjoy the view. To complete the full 2.5-mile Convict Lake Loop Trail around the lake, visitors using mobility aids may need all-terrain or motorized equipment to navigate sections with natural surfaces, but overwise the trail is wide with a gentle grade.

Convict Lake is a 45 minute drive from Bishop, California.

Independence Pass

White River National Forest, Colorado

Independence Pass is a 32-mile scenic drive between Leadville and Aspen, Colorado that dazzles travelers with glowing aspen stands and breathtaking vistas of the Roaring Fork River before they even reach the 360-degree view at the summit. Independence Pass Overlook, at 12,095 feet above sea level, offers visitors a show-stopping panorama of the Continental Divide in all its autumn glory at the end a short, paved trail. At five feet wide with a gentle grade, the trail should be accessible for most mobility aids.

Independence Pass closes for the winter in mid-November based on weather conditions, so be sure to get your fall viewing in sooner rather than later!

Independence Pass is a 2 hour 30 minute drive from Denver, Colorado.

Garden of the Gods

Shawnee National Forest, Illinois

One of the most beloved natural wonders of the Midwest, the sandstone pillars of the Garden of the Gods never fail to awe and delight. Soaring over the vibrant reds and oranges of the Shawnee National Forest, these 320-million-year-old rock formations tell a story of ancient oceans and powerful forces that shaped the stone. On the short Garden of Gods Observation Trail, visitors can learn about the geologic history of the area through interpretive signs, or simply enjoy the beauty of the landscape as it is today.

The Garden of the Gods Observation Trail is not as accessible as some of the other trails on this list, but is worth a visit for those with a bit more mobility or assistance. The trail is a mix of flagstone pavers and wooden boardwalks with a few steep areas and steps. Hiking the trail clockwise, visitors can see Camel Rock as well as many beautiful overlooks before reaching the steps and the narrower sections of the trail.

Garden of the Gods is a 2 hour 40 minute drive from St. Louis, Missouri.

Diana’s Baths

White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire

Every October in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, the calming, cool waters of Diana’s Baths transform from the deep green of summer to the fiery reds, oranges, and golds of fall. As the energy of summer winds down, watching fallen leaves drift from pool to pool in the cascading falls can remind visitors to slow down as well, and enjoy the beauty of nature.

The trek from the parking area to Diana’s Baths is less than a mile on a relatively flat, wide gravel path and has plenty of benches along the way for visitors of all abilities to enjoy the falls. The parking area also has accessible restrooms.

Diana's Baths is a 1 hour 30 minute drive from Portland, Maine.

Trillium Lake

Mt. Hood National Forest, Oregon

The rich, evergreen forests of the Pacific Northwest have the wonderful benefit of making maples, oaks, huckleberries, and Western larches pop even more when they begin to change color in the fall. And in the shadow of Mt. Hood, the still waters of Trillium Lake not only reflect the massive, snowcapped mountain, but amplify the autumn colors even more.

The 2-mile Trillium Lake Loop Trail has several new sections of boardwalk thanks to the work of the NFF and our many partners. The new boardwalk is more than 40 inches wide and has several viewing platforms and passing areas to accommodate wheelchairs and other types of mobility devices. At this time there are two additional segments of the boardwalk that need to be replaced, meaning those with limited mobility will need to enjoy the trail as an out-and-back journey.

Trillium Lake is a 1 hour 15 minute drive from Portland, Oregon.

Washington Pass

Okanagan-Wenatchee National Forest, Washington

Of all the mountain passes over the Cascades, the North Cascade Highway through Washington’s Methow Valley is the most rugged and beautiful. All along the 127-mile journey, travelers are surrounded by massive peaks, turquoise lakes, mossy waterfalls, and jaw dropping views – all mixed in with a breathtaking palette of autumn colors.

Perhaps the route’s most epic peak (certainly the most photographed) is Liberty Bell Mountain on the Okanagan-Wenatchee National Forest. Just a short way down a paved trail at the Washington Pass Observation Site, travelers can take a break from their journey to marvel at the breath-taking beauty of Liberty Bell Mountain and the surrounding Cascades.

This is another pass that closes for the winter in mid-November due to snow, so plan your leaf peeping accordingly!

Washington Pass is a 2 hour 30 minute drive from Bellingham, Washington.

As you make your plan to view the fall foliage, be sure to check with the local Forest Service Ranger District for any closures and fees and familiarize yourself with Leave No Trace principles. These are all popular destinations that can get crowded. Remember to be a good steward of our public lands and leave with everything you came with.

Cover photo of Chippewa National Forest by the U.S. Forest Service.

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You now know that National Forests provide more hiking opportunities than any other public lands in the U.S. The NFF is determined to ensure this incredible resource is always available. Your unrestricted gift today can help us restore trails, improve safety, and much more. Please click here to make your gift today. Thank you!