Hit the trails and explore the sights at these must-see recreation spots.
Mountains, lakes, forests, canyons, glaciers, flowers, and wildlife are some of the beautiful sights to be seen in America’s national parks. To make the experience fun and memorable for everyone, the National Park Service has various accessibility services available for visitors. Plan your next vacation to one of these six hearing-loss-friendly national parks:
- Arches National Park (Utah)
- Denali National Park & Preserve (Alaska)
- Glacier National Park (Montana)
- Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming)
- Yellowstone National Park (Idaho, Montana, Wyoming)
- Yosemite National Park (California)
Keep reading to find out what sights to see at these hearing-loss-friendly national parks, and what accommodations you can expect.
Arches National Park (Utah)
The famous red rocks and arches of this Utah park are geological wonders unlike any other. If you’re a stargazer, it’s a stunning location to view the night sky. For daytime adventures at this hearing loss-friendly national park, hike the network of trails around the famous arches that give the park its name. Pack plenty of water and sunscreen, since it can get hot out there. Meanwhile, geology enthusiasts can learn about how these formations were created through captioned programs and printed materials. Learn more about Arches and plan your visit here.
When visiting Utah, explore Hogle Zoo, Big Cottonwood Canyon, or one of these other hearing loss-friendly activities near Salt Lake City.
Denali National Park & Preserve (Alaska)
Pay our northernmost state a visit to catch a glimpse of North America’s tallest mountain. The peak of Denali (which used to be named Mount McKinley) towers at over 20,000 feet. In addition to the park’s centerpiece, you’ll have six million acres to choose adventures from via the park’s one road. When visiting this hearing loss-friendly national park, keep an eagle-eye out for moose! Visitors with hearing loss can request ASL interpretation, assistive listening devices, and printed information. Learn more about Denali and plan your visit here.
The Alaska Zoo in Anchorage is another hearing loss-friendly activity you’ll find in Alaska. Learn more about its offerings in our Hearing Loss-Friendly Zoos post.
Glacier National Park (Montana)
It’s hard to imagine more pristine, untouched wilderness than what you’ll find in Glacier National Park. Montana is known for its wide-open spaces. It’s a perfect place to soak in the silence and just breathe as you gaze on towering mountains, lush green forests, and bright lakes. If you’re a hiker, equip yourself with bear spray and safety knowledge for your trip into grizzly country. Park videos are captioned, with listening devices and interpretation available on request. Learn more about Glacier and plan your visit here.
Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming)
What’s so grand about the Tetons? Go see for yourself! With over 200 miles of trails to hike, the Snake River to float, and extraordinary scenery and wildlife to marvel, this hearing loss-friendly national park features endless natural wonders. While you admire the alpine scenery, you can benefit from accessibility services like ranger program interpretation, printed information, and captioned exhibits and films. Learn more about Grand Teton and plan your visit here.
Yellowstone National Park (Idaho, Montana, Wyoming)
You can’t talk about hearing loss-friendly national parks without mentioning Yellowstone! America’s famous first national park spans 3,500 miles across three states (but it’s primarily in Wyoming). From geyser eruptions to neon geothermal pools to buffalo traffic jams, there’s a lot to experience. To help them do it, visitors can download an app with accessibility information and other helpful park resources. Learn more about Yellowstone and plan your visit here.
Yosemite National Park (California)
Walking into the valleys of Yosemite means entering a magical land of tall waterfalls, giant sequoia groves, and towering rock formations like Half Dome. The park has a dedicated hearing loss services team to connect visitors with interpreted programs, assistive listening devices, and other needs. Learn more about Yosemite and plan your visit here.
Excited to visit some of these hearing-loss-friendly national parks? Prepare for the trip with our hearing loss travel tips. You may also be interested in our post on how to find senior discounts. There, you can learn about a pass that offers savings on your park entry fees.
For more articles on traveling with hearing loss, head to our blog. To learn how a captioned telephone can help you catch every word, visit our website, or call 800.233.9130 today.
