Kansas Wheelchair Travel Tips

Kansas, often known as the “Heart of America,” is a land of sprawling prairies, vibrant cities, and rich history. Whether you’re exploring iconic landmarks like Monument Rocks or immersing yourself in local culture at its numerous museums, Kansas provides visitors with unique experiences that showcase its natural beauty and Midwestern charm. The state is also dedicated to ensuring accessibility for all travelers, with a variety of wheelchair-friendly options across attractions, transportation, accommodations, and outdoor recreation. Below is a travel guide to help wheelchair users plan an accessible and enjoyable trip through Kansas.

Attractions

• Kansas Cosmosphere, Hutchinson: This world-class space museum is home to space artifacts like Apollo 13. The Cosmosphere provides wheelchair accessibility throughout, including ramps and elevators. Visitors can enjoy interactive exhibits and the planetarium with no significant barriers.  Accessible restrooms with grab bars are available throughout the museum.
• Botanica, The Wichita Gardens, Wichita: Botanica spans 17 acres with themed gardens, fountains, and sculptures. Flat, paved pathways dominate the garden, and while there are some slight slopes, they are manageable for most wheelchairs. Accessible restrooms are spread across the gardens, with benches and resting areas throughout.
• Old Cowtown Museum, Wichita: This living history museum transports visitors back to the 19th-century Wild West. Buildings are mostly accessible. The compacted dirt and gravel pathways are relatively easy to navigate, and there are ramps into most buildings. Accessible restrooms are available in the main visitor area.
• Monument Rocks (Chalk Pyramids), Gove County: Monument Rocks, one of Kansas’s 8 Wonders, features natural rock formations that are accessible via a gravel road. While viewing the formations from a vehicle is possible, some rough terrain exists if you wish to explore closer. The gravel road is packed and mostly flat, making it navigable for wheelchairs. Accessible restrooms can be found at nearby Lake Scott State Park.
• Strataca Underground Salt Museum, Hutchinson: Explore a salt mine 650 feet below the earth’s surface at this unique museum. The accessible mining elevator and wide underground pathways allow for a fully accessible tour. Smooth, wheelchair-friendly paths are present underground, with ramps for any exhibit requiring them. Accessible restrooms are available both underground and on the surface.
• Oz Museum, Wamego: This museum features memorabilia from the “Wizard of Oz.” It is fully wheelchair accessible, with ramps connecting different exhibit areas. Wide, smooth pathways offer easy access throughout the museum. There are accessible restrooms available for visitors.
• Kansas Underground Railroad Museum, Lecompton: This accessible museum explores Kansas’s role in the Underground Railroad. Ramps and smooth surfaces make it easy for wheelchair users to explore the exhibits. Accessible restrooms are available on-site.
• Mushroom Rock State Park, Brookville: This small park features unique rock formations resembling mushrooms. Although the terrain can be rough, there is an accessible viewing platform. A compacted gravel path leads to the viewing platform. However, off-trail exploration may present difficulties for wheelchair users. No restrooms are available directly at the park, but accessible restrooms are located nearby.
• Evel Knievel Museum, Topeka: Explore the life of famous daredevil Evel Knievel in this accessible museum. All areas are reachable via smooth pathways and ramps. Accessible restrooms are available throughout the museum.

Outdoor Recreation

• Clinton State Park, Lawrence offers accessible camping, fishing, and trails. Paved paths lead to picnic areas and fishing piers. Prairie Clover Trail is a 1.5-mile paved trail, ideal for wheelchair users. Accessible restrooms and showers are available at campsites and throughout the park.
• Flint Hills Nature Trail, Central Kansas: This 117-mile rail-trail runs through the scenic Flint Hills and features wheelchair-accessible segments. A paved section of the Council Grove to Osage City Segment trail is suitable for wheelchair users. Accessible restrooms are located at trailheads along the route.
• El Dorado State Park, El Dorado: This park offers accessible trails, campsites, and fishing piers. Wheelchair-friendly pathways allow easy access to many parts of the park, making it a great destination for outdoor recreation in Kansas. The Bluestem Point Trail is a 2-mile paved and gravel trail with accessible features, offering scenic views of the lake and surrounding nature. ADA-compliant restrooms and showers are located at the campgrounds, and there are picnic areas with accessible tables. Some parts of the park may have uneven terrain, but most key areas are reachable via accessible paths.

Adaptive Recreation Organizations

• Accessible Sports of Kansas, Wichita: This organization provides adaptive sports and recreation opportunities, including wheelchair basketball, adaptive kayaking, and handcycling. They host various events across the state and work with other local adaptive sports groups to provide access to physical activity for people of all abilities.
• Challenge Aspen Kansas Program: Offers adaptive skiing programs in various regions, including parts of Kansas. They provide adaptive skiing equipment and instructors trained to support people of all abilities. It’s a great resource for those seeking winter sports opportunities in the area.
• Kansas Adaptive Recreation Association (KARA) is a statewide organization that offers programs in adaptive sports like tennis, wheelchair basketball, and golf. They also offer nature-based recreation, such as accessible hunting and fishing experiences for individuals with disabilities.

Transportation

• Wichita Transit operates buses with ramps and securement areas for wheelchair users. Each bus can accommodate two wheelchairs at once. The weight limit for wheelchair lifts is 600 pounds, and drivers are trained to assist with boarding. Most bus stops are accessible, with curb cuts and wide sidewalks. Each bus can fit two wheelchairs at a time.
• Ride KC, Kansas City provides accessible transportation across Kansas City. The buses have ramps and lifts with a weight limit of 800 pounds, and they can accommodate two wheelchairs at a time. Accessible bus stops and sidewalks make public transport easy to navigate. Each bus can hold two wheelchairs, and paratransit services can be scheduled for larger groups.
• ABC Taxi offers wheelchair-accessible vans that can fit up to two wheelchair users with tie-downs and safety belts. Booking in advance is recommended.
• Kansas City Wheelchair Transport provides non-emergency transportation with vans that accommodate up to two wheelchairs. They offer on-demand and scheduled services for airport transfers, events, and medical appointments.
• Care Transportation, Wichita is a private company that offers door-to-door service in accessible vans for medical appointments, events, or airport transfers. Vans support up to 750 pounds.

Accommodations

• Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview, Wichita: This historic hotel is located in downtown Wichita and offers fully accessible rooms. Guests can enjoy river views, modern amenities, and convenient access to the city’s attractions. Accessible rooms come with roll-in showers equipped with grab bars and handheld showerheads. The beds in these rooms are typically queen-size, but king-size beds are also available in select accessible rooms. The hotel features wide hallways, accessible parking, and elevators to all floors. Public restrooms are wheelchair accessible. The outdoor pool has a pool lift, and breakfast and evening snacks are available in accessible dining areas. There are minimal barriers, with the exception of potential crowding in common areas during peak times.
• Hyatt Place Kansas City, Kansas: Hyatt Place in Kansas City offers modern, spacious rooms with accessibility features. Located near major attractions, it’s a convenient option for travelers looking to explore both Kansas and Missouri. Rooms are equipped with roll-in showers featuring adjustable handheld showerheads. Beds are either queen or king-sized, depending on the room. Lowered bed frames allow for easier transfers from wheelchairs. The hotel provides accessible parking, wide hallways, and elevators to all floors. There is an accessible fitness center and a grab-and-go snack bar. The accessible rooms feature lowered countertops and desks. The only potential barrier could be the compact design of certain common areas.
• The Oread Hotel, Lawrence: Located near the University of Kansas, The Oread Hotel combines luxury with accessibility, making it ideal for travelers seeking a comfortable, upscale stay in Lawrence. The accessible rooms feature roll-in showers with sturdy grab bars. Beds come in both queen and king sizes, with adjustable height options available for wheelchair users. The hotel offers accessible parking and entryways, wide hallways, and elevators. In-room amenities include adjustable thermostats, accessible mini-fridges, and wide doorways. There is also a rooftop restaurant with accessible seating. Barriers are minimal, though some parts of the hotel, such as the rooftop, might require advance notice for accessible seating arrangements.