Destinations and solutions to make wheelchair accessible camping a dream getaway
What if there were an accessible campground, deep in the forest, with fully accessible sleeping arrangements, accessible bathrooms, only accessible paths and trails, and… well, fully accessible everything from adventures like fishing and boating to essentials like sleeping and eating? An accessible camping wilderness dream…
But accessible camping is not a dream: John Dillon Park is a real place. It has all those things. This one-of-a-kind, FREE, wheelchair friendly park, built in the heart of the Adirondacks, is centered on accessibility and inclusion.
For our family, John Dillon Park was a game-changer. We’ve stayed at a few accessible campgrounds before. However, even with accessible campsites, the rest of the campground and recreation areas were too hard to navigate. Loose gravel roads; narrow, bumpy mini-golf courses; grassy playgrounds of only slides and high monkey bars make accessible camping pads irrelevant.
Our Accessible Camping Experience
People with disabilities often have a hard time finding wheelchair accessible outdoor experiences. National forests don’t grow with the Americans with Disabilities Act in mind. Park systems and recreation areas are made for adventurers – forgetting that wheelchair users are adventurers, too.
When we arrived at John Dillon Park, I was a little bit worried about the quarter mile trail from the parking lot to the accessible cabins with all of our camping gear. We didn’t need any adaptive gear for this trip, thanks to the accessibility of the facilities, but we still had a minivan full of sleeping bags, kid-o-bunks, medical supplies, and food. After we signed in as a park visitor, a volunteer offered to help us deliver our things, but, of course, I wanted to try by myself, first.
The parking lot was loose gravel, but the trail was a tightly packed fine gravel that was easy to roll on. The incline percentages are included on the park map so that you can choose the route that’s best for you. We loaded our things into two all-terrain wagons and hit the trail. My eight year old had no problem getting his manual chair down the trail. My eleven year old and I pulled the wagons and the youngest took care of her backpack.
The Accessible Campsite
The trail led us to a pair of lean-tos. A lean-to is like a three-walled cabin, offering shelter from the elements while allowing you to be fully in the wilderness. The lean to had a wide wooden ramp, making it easy to enter and exit. It had one murphy-style wooden bed that pulled down from the wall, and plenty of space for additional cots or floor sleepers.
Our lean-to had an accessible outhouse with an elevated composting toilet with grab bars. A hand sanitizer pump hangs on the wall. These bathrooms are typically semi-private, but no one was staying in our neighboring lean-to, so we had it to ourselves.
We had a food locker to keep our food safe from bears and an accessible campfire with cooking grates. We had an accessible picnic table too.
Accessible Campground Facilities
After setting up our bedding, the kids took off while I worked on dinner. This was actually one of my favorite parts. My crew is old enough to thrive on independent outdoor play, but we rarely have an inclusive outdoor opportunity where all three can navigate the terrain. They explored the woods and went on the mini-adventure of every child’s dream – Tom Sawyer style with no adults. (Maybe that’s a poor comparison. My three are also better at understanding boundaries and staying out of dark caves.)
Dinner was enjoyed at our accessible picnic table – no transfer required. Then we wandered down to the accessible fishing dock to watch the sunset over the lake.
We didn’t make it on an accessible boat trip this visit, but we’ve enjoyed their pontoon before. It’s important not to schedule at high tide if you’re worried about the incline of the boat ramp.
In the dark of the early dawn the next morning, my son was too scared of daddy-long-leggers to use our accessible restroom, so we made the trek back to the indoor ranger station at the parking lot for his enema. This welcome center has electricity and running water and is open 24 hours. The outdoor sink also makes a great kitchen for cleaning dishes before packing up for home.
Few Accessible Camp Notes
I know an adventure like this can feel overwhelming, but I can’t imagine a better place to start.
If there’s anything you can’t do on your own in a wheelchair, don’t hesitate to ask for help. The staff here is incredible. They will go out of their way to help you.
If camping isn’t your thing, I still highly recommend it for all of the other outdoor recreation opportunities like hiking, fishing, boating, picnicking, or whatever style of outdoor retreat suits you. You can claim a day pass and enjoy the rare treat of barrier-free nature.
Whether you’re spending the day or a weekend – the facilities and amenities are always completely free for you to use.
Other Destinations for Camping with Disabilities
I know not everyone can get to New York, but that doesn’t mean camping is off limits for you. Other wheelchair-accessible camping destinations to consider include:
1. Big Basin Redwoods State Park, California
2. Yosemite National Park, California
3. Oregon State Parks
5. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
5. Cherry Creek State Park, Colorado
More Tips for Camping with a Disability
If you’re not quite ready for sleeping under the stars, try starting with an accessible YURT experience. Accessible glamping may be the perfect combination of nature and luxury for you.
Another solution could be accessible van camping – adapting your own space and taking it with you.
Final Thoughts on Accessible Camping
Camping can be a liberating and restorative experience, especially without the drain of navigating accessibility. Whether you’re visiting John Dillon Park or going to other accessible places, nature is good for your soul. I challenge you to push your limits and try. Make it easy on yourself and start at John Dillon Park, or do your research and utilize the resources of another accessible campground.
What’s your favorite accessible camping destination? Let us know in the comments or share your tips for making outdoor adventures more inclusive!