Idaho has a number of trails with minimal obstacles. Some are very easy and others are wheelchair accessible. Here are just a few of them.
These links were found through Internet search. I would love to have some first-hand recommendations. With your help, we can share our knowledge with disabled people everywhere and also increase awareness of the need for more accessibility. Please e-mail me with your suggestions using the form in the sidebar.
Federal
State
Local
Private
Miscellaneous
Federal
Idaho Panhandle National Forests
The 2.5 million acres of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests contain mountains, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, ancient cedar groves, and an abundance of wildlife. From NationalForests.org: “The Idaho Panhandle National Forests are an aggregation of the Coeur d’Alene and portions of the Kaniksu and St. Joe National Forests. There are eight local points of contact including the Supervisor’s Office, six district offices and the Coeur d’Alene Tree Nursery.” The Forests extend into eastern Washington and western Montana. Supervisor’s Office phone 208-765-7223. See their website for District Rangers’ phones. Publications
Pulaski Tunnel Trail The forest service says that the first 725 feet of trail are accessible to visitors with disabilities.
Hobo Cedar Grove Trail From the website: “The trail has a gentle gradient making it accessible to older persons or those with moderate physical impairments. The trail width is about 40 inches. An occasional log bench provides seating along the trail.”
Hiawatha Rail Trail is not listed in the Rails-to-Trails site, but I have seen references to wheelchair use. Call 208-744-1301. Here is some more information from the Friends of the Coeur d’Alene Trails. You can also give the Forest Service a call at (208) 765-7223.
Mineral Point Trail is 2.1 miles one way and described as “….one of the most beautiful trails on the Sandpoint Ranger District and is popular with hikers and mountain bikers. Gentle grades, wildflowers and excellent views make this trail suitable for the entire family.”
Sam Owen Trail is “wheelchair moderate, hiker easy……The first ½ mile of this trail has a hardened surface that is suitable for wheel chairs and strollers. The hardened trail ends at a beautiful vista of Owens Bay and the benches offer a nice place to sit and enjoy the view. The remaining ½ mile of trail is native surface, narrow and not suitable for wheel chairs or strollers…..This is a great hike for a family with small children. ”Phone numbers and addresses for the ranger districts in Idaho National Forests.
Sawtooth National Forest / Sawtooth National Recreation Area
This 2.1 million acre forest is situated in south central Idaho and extends into northern Utah. It includes the 217,000 acre Sawtooth Wilderness. These lands include high granite peaks, narrow glacial valleys, deep forested valleys and high alpine lakes. It abounds with wildlife and flowers. Map of SNRA
Fairfield Ranger District 208-764-3202, Ketchum Ranger District 208-622-5371
Minidoka ranger district 208-677-4878, Sawtooth NRA 208-727-5000 or 208-744-3000 Here is the website for the National Forest and the website for the National Recreation Area.Murdock Trail Map and information A little over the first mile is wheelchair accessible. From the guide, “The Murdock Creek canyon features wildflowers, wildlife, and dramatic rock outcroppings, and there are several nice picnic spot along the trail.” The trail is dirt with small rocks. Thanks to trail guidebooks author Maryann Gaug for letting me know about this trail. 
Accessible Stream Crossing on Murdock Creek Trail Sawtooth Nat’l. Forest, ID ©Maryann Gaug 
Partly accessible Murdock Creek Trail Sawtooth Nat’l. Forest, ID ©Maryann Gaug
State
Harriman State Park
Harriman State Park is 16,000-acre wildlife refuge in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. “Known for its beautiful scenery and wildlife, Harriman State Park offers 22-miles of hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails that slink through meadows, meander along river banks and through lush evergreen forests. Some of the best fly fishing waters in the nation flow through 8 miles of Harriman State Park, known by anglers the world over as ‘the Ranch.’ Moose, elk and Trumpeter swans, the world’s largest waterfowl species, are a common sight at Harriman.” Here is an article about Harriman trails from East Idaho News.
Location map. Trails Map Here is the park website. Phone is 208-558-7368. There are a lot of trails which look as though they may be easy. Call to find out.
John Muir Trail 0.75 mile paved interpretive loop to the river with a handicap fishing platform.Idaho has 30 state parks. The Idaho “Passport” , $10 for residents and $40 for visitors from out of state, buys you access to all the parks and discounts on camping for a year.
The Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes runs 72 miles from Plummer to Mullan. It is paved asphalt and “perfect for road bikers, in-line skaters, walkers and wheelchairs”. There are 19 trailheads along the way. Call 208 682-3814 for more information.
Local
Private
Miscellaneous
Here is another list from the Northwest Disability Connections site.
- The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy lists wheelchair accessible trails in Idaho.