AutoCamp Yosemite: A Comfortable Wheelchair-Accessible Home Base
Located just east of Mariposa in Midpines, AutoCamp Yosemite is a great wheelchair-accessible lodging choice (autocamp.com/location/yosemite/) for a national park visit. Nestled on 35 wooded acres in the Sierras, this unique property features a collection of custom-built Airstream trailers, a few cozy cabins and some upscale luxury glamping tents.
And you just can’t beat the location as it’s only a 20-minute drive to the El Portal Entrance of Yosemite National Park, and another 40 minutes to Yosemite Valley. If, on the other hand, you’d prefer to leave the driving to someone else, you can take the YARTS (www.yarts.com) bus to the park, then use the free wheelchair-accessible Yosemite shuttle bus to explore the popular sites.
AutoCamp Yosemite is a luxurious, wheelchair-accessible and convenient lodging option for the quintessential Yosemite visit.
Wheelchair-Accessible Suites
There’s accessible parking in front of the Clubhouse at AutoCamp Yosemite, with ramp access up to this mid-century modern building. Inside you can check-in and then pick up some essentials – including a s’mores kit — in the General Store. And in the evening don’t miss happy hour at the Clubhouse.
All of the accessible units are located near the Clubhouse, along a level paved pathway dotted with mature oaks and ponderosa pines. There are three accessible Premium Suites and two accessible Classic Suites. The main difference between these accessible suites is the location, as the Premium Suites overlook the pond and have more privacy.
The accessible suites feature ramp access up to the spacious deck, wide doorways, wood floors, lowered environmental controls and lever handles. The bedroom includes a 25-inch high queen-sized bed with wheelchair access on the left side (as you face it), a wardrobe with a lowered clothing rod, a night table and some built-in shelving units.
The bathroom, which is located at the other end of unit, is equipped with a Continental shower with an overhead showerhead, a hand-held showerhead, grab bars and a fold-down shower seat. The toilet grab bars are located on the back and right walls (as seated), and the bathroom also has a roll-under sink with a lowered mirror
The living area is furnished with a 15-inch high futon, a small table and a television. The galley includes a roll-under sink, a two-burner cooktop, a microwave and a small refrigerator. It also includes dishes, utensils, pots, pans and wine glasses. Round out the unit with a few extras, like a coffee press and coffee, a flashlight, a lantern, a bottle of spring water and even a blue tooth sound system, and you have a very luxurious and accessible retreat.
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Accessible Adventure Tent
AutoCamp Yosemite also has a wheelchair-accessible Luxury Tent, which is located near the Clubhouse. There’s barrier-free access to the front porch from the sidewalk, and level access to the tent. Inside there’s wheelchair-access on both sides of the 23-inch high king-sized bed, and plenty of room to maneuver a wheelchair throughout the tent.
Other furnishings in the tent include a futon, a coffee table and a refrigerator. Towels, bath amenities, campfire cookware and utensils are also included; and the tent comes equipped with electrical outlets, a fan and a heater. Add in the requisite lantern, mineral water, plush bathrobes and an electric kettle and you’re good to go. And outside there’s level access to a pair of comfy chairs, a fire ring and a grill.
There’s no bathroom in the tent, but accessible facilities are located in the nearby Clubhouse. The men’s and women’s bathrooms both include an oversize accessible stall, and a private roll-in shower with grab bars, a hand-held showerhead and a fold down shower bench. Top it off with some roll-under sinks and lowered mirrors, and you have a very accessible setup.
In keeping with the AutoCamp design that fosters a community experience, a communal fire ring and a number of public spaces are located near the Clubhouse. There’s also a lift-equipped freshwater pool at the Clubhouse, as well as an ample assortment of lounge chairs and a comfortable rooftop BBQ area. In the end, there’s no shortage of accessible things to do in and around AutoCamp Yosemite, which makes it an excellent choice for wheelchair-users and slow walkers who want to experience the beauty of the California Sierras.
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Barrier-Free Travel
Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon
National Parks
Travel Ideas
for Wheelchair-users and Slow Walkers