Many older campgrounds have been updated to provide a few accessible campsites by enlarging and renovating existing sites. As with any renovation of an existing facility, the results are not always ideal and sometimes they are downright pathetic. Smaller, older campgrounds often do nothing other than attach a wheelchair sign to the numbered post of the campsite that is located closest to the restroom. The site may be small, not level with an unsuitable ground surface and no easy path to the restroom. The tables rarely have any type of overhang on the ends to allow a person in a wheelchair room to pull up underneath.
However, the good news is that many campgrounds are building excellent accessible sites especially if the campground has undergone a complete renovation. The renovation usually includes the bathroom and shower facilities and since the guidelines for both of these have been precisely detailed, the new bathhouses are completely ADA compliant. The design of the campsite itself can vary greatly. At a minimum, the site should be level and smooth with enough room to park and then deploy a wheelchair lift. The table should have a long overhang on one end. The fire pit, if one is provided, should have high sides.
Most of the campgrounds where we stay are public, national forests and parks, or state, county, and city parks. National forests campgrounds usually have primitive sites which means limited accessibility, no electric hookups, water from a communal faucet (most likely well water), and almost always an accessible vault toilet but no showers. National parks are similar but the sites may be larger with accessible tables and an accessible restroom with flush toilets but still no shower facilities. State, county, and city parks range from very primitive to almost luxury resort accommodations.
The best have concrete paving for the parking pad which extends under an accessible picnic table. The electric, water, and sewer hookup area is also paved and easily reached. The fire pit has high sides. The barbeque grill is at an easily used height. The restrooms have a paved path to the entrance door which is easy to open. The restroom has a separate large accessible toilet room with its own sink. The accessible roll-in shower has a large changing area. The shower stall has a fold-down seat and an adjustable showerhead.
Some Accessible Campsites
- Lake Louisa State Park, Florida – almost perfect with a large level site, raised grill, accessible table, paving around the water, electrical hookups, and close to the completely accessible restroom and showers. The only thing that keeps it from being perfect is the sewer which is placed at ground level in the grass.
- Moss Park Campground, Florida – almost perfect with a large level site, raised grill, high sides on the fire pit, paving around the water and electrical hookups, and a paved path to the accessible restroom and showers. This campsite has a dump station that has a large paved apron and could be used by a person in a wheelchair. The restroom doors are a little heavy and the shower doesn’t have a fold-down seat.
- Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas – may be perfect but I’d didn’t check the restrooms or the dump station. The accessible sites, which have been built recently, are large and level with an accessible picnic table, grill, fire pit, and hookups.
Tent Tip
We RV camp only but there are a few campgrounds that have raised platforms to make transferring into a tent easy, however, finding them involves a lot of searching. If you want to try tent camping, Eureka makes an accessible tent that is easy to set up at any campsite. It has a large, high entrance and a vestibule for wheelchair storage.
Have you ever thought about writing an e-book or guest authoring on other blogs? I have a blog centered on the same topics you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my viewers would appreciate your work. If you are even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an e mail.
Margeret: I tried emailing but got an error message. Please email wheelchairtraveling.com when you get a chance to discuss writing. Love to hear from you.
Just bought a used wheel air access motorhome and now looking for campgrounds on the East coast that we won’t have too much trouble with. We have a caregiver with us to help with bathing etc. She is concerned about which bathhouse to use. Men’s for him or women’s for her. Really need a handicap/family one. Doubt we’ll find accessibr pools buti it would be great. Ant suggestions would be great.
Hi my name is valerie and im in a wheelchair. Im looking for a campsite that has disability bathrooms and tents with beds in texas somewhere near irving texas
Hello! I am doing research into building an accessible campground/retreat center would you be interested in providing me with feedback? I am reaching out to many organizations and individuals to get as much information as I can before drawing plans as well as meeting more individuals in the vaccessibility community. Let know know!
Hello Jacquie – did you ever achieve your goal? We are looking at creating an accessible camping service where we provide all of the equipment necessary and do all of the setup/takedown so that more people can have a camping experience. The work you have done would be valuable to us for input.
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Excellent! Makes me happy. Camping and the outdoors are so wonderful.