I've seen them very close to the road on a flat trail before, but it really just depends where they are when you come to the park.
Gary I know its rough I had a son whom was wheelchair bound. I admire your detication to showing him the world. When i was up there camping for 3 days I did see trails that people where pushing strollers. And parts that were flat and smooth enough for a wheelchair but it really depends on your equipment. But as the guy states above me the ponies are kinda deep on the trail dont know if you would see them but I would try it is a beautiful place
If he can ride a horse, there is Appalachian Horse Riding Adventures who will take you up... I'm not a rider, they have wonderful gentle horses that are very tolerant and the owner is wonderful.
I have seen them close to the parking area but they are not always there.
I was there last week and a few of the wild ponies were down at the Massie Gap parking lot so you could see them from your car! I even got to see one of the baby ponies, so cute. So...I guess it depends on where the ponies are grazing at the time.
After we walked about 30 min we saw the ponies in several places. When we left we walked back on a very wide gravel trail which was easier than the way we came in. I also would call & get more info from the rangers there.
John Phipps answer is the most accurate answer here
Sometimes they come down by the parking area.
Last time I visited they were next to the parking lot and easily accessible with a wheelchair. I have a brother in a wheelchair anf i would have taken him down there. However, they werent by the parking lot when we arrived, so your results may vary. They came to the lot about three hours later as we were leaving the park.
They can appear most anywhere, but the higher trails are difficult for a wheelchair.
As most of the other folks mention, the ponies move around. You might call the park and see if there is anything they can suggest.
Massie Gap parking is closest to the ponies. Try early afternoon. I also saw them in the middle of the road about a mile inside the main entrance.
I am disabled but not chair bound. I would not attempt to take the trail unless you have a special trail use chair. I do not remember which one, but one of the outfitters in Damascus has such chairs for rent at a reasonable price. The chair holds a charge of about 8 hours as long as you split the time accordingly ( up terrain and down terrain).
Massie Gap Parking area and the first quarter mile of the road to the campground are the best places to see the ponies from your car, based on my experience. Neither of these places has much wheelchair accessible trail , just the pavement. The Visitor Center is wheelchair accessible but I did not see ponies there.
they are typically up on a hill so you have to walk up
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