Located 11 miles west of the Nisqually Entrance to Mount Rainier National Park, Recycled Spirits of Iron Sculpture Park features the works of Daniel Klennert. And as the name implies, his creations are crafted from recycled and discarded objects. The front installations are dwarfed by a giant train near the entrance, and they include everything from a broomstick horse, and a wagon wheel, to a seahorse crafted from horseshoes, a collection of birds, and a number of themed motorcycles. Around back the installations continue with another train, more motorcycles, a collection of outhouses and an X-rated Mona Lisa. And although it’s a little bumpy in the back, the front garden and the inside gallery and gift shop are wheelchair-accessible.
Although swamps are generally not a top destination choice for wheelchair-users, Everglades National Park (www.nps.gov/ever) may well be the exception. Located in South Florida, this vast track of protected wetlands spans over 1.5 million acres and attracts backcountry enthusiasts from around the world. Granted, the undeveloped areas of the park are not wheelchair-accessible; however there are still plenty of Everglades options for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. In fact, two particular areas of the park – Royal Palm and Shark Valley – boast a bevy of boardwalks and trails for visitors of all abilities.
Royal Palm
The Anhinga Trail in Everglades National Park
First up on our wheelchair-accessible Everglades visit is Royal Palm, which is located about 20 miles southwest of Florida City. Named for the former state park that grew into the Everglades, this area offers two accessible trails that give visitors a good overview of the native wildlife. There’s plenty of accessible parking in the large lot, with level access to the accessible restrooms, visitor center and gift shop.
The Anhinga Trail – one of the most popular trails in the park — is located behind the visitor center. This .8-mile loop trail begins as a paved path, before it transitions to a wide level boardwalk around the sawgrass marsh. A shaded viewing platform is located midway along the boardwalk, and there’s ample opportunity to catch a glimpse of alligators, turtles and a wide variety of wading birds. And if you get tired, no worries, as there are plenty of benches along the way too. Keep a lookout for the namesake Anhingas, that can be seen in abundance drying their colorful wings in the sun, or perched peacefully in the trees along the trail.
The Gumbo Limbo Trail is also worth a stop while you’re in the area. This .4-mile loop trail begins behind the visitor center, and travels through a tropical hardwood hammock. There are plenty of interpretive plaques along this paved trail; and although the pavement has a few cracks here and there, it’s still quite doable for most folks. The gumbo limbo trees, with their unique peeling red bark, offer shelter to a variety of avian life; and the royal palms, ferns and air plants add a bit of diversity to the forest. It’s a refreshing stroll, especially on a hot day.
The Gumbo Limbo Trail in Everglades National Park
Take a Tram Tour
The Shark Valley Tram in Everglades National Park
Shark Valley is another area of the park worth a visit on a wheelchair-accessible Everglades itinerary. It’s located north of Royal Palm, on the Tamiami Trail (Highway 41), about 40 miles west of Miami. And although it doesn’t have any sharks, and it’s really not much of a valley, the sawgrass marsh supports a healthy freshwater ecosystem.
There’s barrier-free access from the accessible parking area to the visitor center, which is the departure point for the popular Shark Valley Tram Tour (www.sharkvalleytramtours.com). This two-hour tour is led by a naturalist who points out some of the hidden treasures in the Everglades. The tour stops at the halfway point at a 45-foot high observation tower, where visitors can get a bird’s eye view of the surrounding swamp. Even better, the tower includes a gently sloping ramp that allows wheelchair access to the top deck.
The tour is conducted in an open-air tram, which can be configured for wheelchair access. There’s ramp access up to the accessible car, which features two wheelchair spaces with tie-downs. Advance notice is required for accessible tours, and reservations can be made by calling (305) 221-8455. And since there are no facilities along the way, it’s a good idea to use the accessible restrooms at the visitor center before the tour. It’s also a good idea to bring along some water and a snack, as there aren’t any concession areas along the tour route either.
Explore Shark Valley
Shark Valley Trail
The road that the tram tours runs along — Shark Valley Loop Road — is flat and paved, and it’s also a good choice for wheelchair-users who don’t opt for the tram tour. There’s a fair amount of bicycle traffic along the road, but it’s pretty wide, so there’s plenty of room for everyone. Be sure and stop and look in the grass alongside the road, as it’s not unusual to find alligators there. And if you hear something growling at you from the water, don’t be alarmed, as it’s probably only the mating call of the harmless pig frog.
The Bobcat Boardwalk, which is located behind the visitor center, is also a good place to get a look at – and have a listen to – the swamp inhabitants. This wide level .5-mile boardwalk winds over the marsh and through a mature gumbo limbo forest. There’s a wheelchair accessible overlook along the way, and although you may hear bobcats rustle in the underbrush, they are usually pretty shy. That said, it’s still a good place to spot alligators, and the forest canopy provides a welcome respite on sunny days.
Big Cypress National Preserve
The Kirby Storter Boardwalk in Big Cypress National Preserve
Although it’s not part of the Everglades, save some time to stop at the Kirby Storter Roadside Park on your way to or from Shark Valley. Part of the Big Cypress National Preserve (nps.gov/bicy/), this accessible rest area is located about 30 miles west of Shark Valley. It features accessible parking, with accessible vault toilets nearby, and level access to a shaded picnic area.
After you’ve had a bite to eat, take a stroll along the half-mile accessible Kirby Storter Boardwalk. There’s level access to the boardwalk which travels through a young cypress marsh, before it transitions to a mature pop ash and red maple forest dotted with orchids. The forest canopy shades the trail until it opens up to a full swamp at the end of the boardwalk. There are interpretive signs along the way, and a bench to enjoy the swamp view at the end. It’s a good place to spot alligators, especially during mating season. And since many people pass right on by this scenic stop, you may even have it all to yourself. It’s a great way to top off a wheelchair-accessible Everglades visit.
www.mermaidmuseum.org This eclectic museum is worth a stop while exploring Northwestern Washington. It’s located off Highway 105, between Aberdeen and Westport. The building is set back off the road and easy to miss, so look for the signs for Westport Winery, which is located next door. There’s accessible parking out front, with barrier-free access over to the museum. Inside, there’s plenty of space to maneuver a wheelchair around the mounds of memorabilia, photos, artwork and ocean treasures.
The exhibits range from a sea glass collection to clips from the Little Mermaid, to shark jaw bones, sea creature photos and a sizable art collection. As you browse through the artifacts, you’ll learn about the anatomy of a mermaid, see objects that illustrate the siren sea stories, hear about hoaxes and learn about different cultural views of mermaids. These mythical creatures were described by Christopher Columbus as “not half as beautiful as they are painted”, and seafarers who captured them reportedly received three wishes. Myth or mystery, it’s a fun and fanciful stop. And don’t miss the gift shop that’s bursting with mermaid memorabilia.
Located along the main drag in Rosalia, this Texaco service station was built in 1923. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the brick building stands as an intact example of the “house and canopy” design that was prevalent in that period. Today this Texaco station boasts a vintage gas pump, and evokes a feeling of yesteryear. The restoration is well done, and it’s kept up nicely. There’s street parking available, and when the station is open, there’s also a accessible parking spot cordoned off with an orange cone. There’s a vintage truck on the side of the station, and it’s a great photo op. The station is sporadically open as a visitor information center, but even if it’s closed you can still peer in the windows for a gander at the interior, which is also restored. There’s good access all around the station, and it’s just a few miles off Highway 95 in Southeastern Washington, so it’s a nice stop on a Palouse road trip.
This local landmark has a fun history, and it’s a nice spot to take a break while driving along Highway 195 in the Palouse. It’s a small site, so if you have an adapted van it’s best to parallel park on the street in front of the tiny park that surrounds the Codger Pole. There’s also standard parking in the Farmers Insurance lot next door. From either point there’s level access to this unusual monument, which also has a picnic table on a cement pad.
The story behind the Codger Pole dates back to a historic 1938 football game between the Colfax Bulldogs and the St. John Eagles. The Colfax team lost, but 50 years later the “old codgers” asked for a rematch, and this time they won. This monument stands to commemorate the resolve and determination of that team. The pole, which is actually comprised of five 65-foot tall cedar poles, was carved with a chainsaw by John LaBenne. It includes the faces of all 51 players along with their original leather football helmets. It’s a fitting tribute to codger-hood.
Crescent Moon Ranch is a working alpaca ranch, which is located on Highway 97 in Western Oregon, about 20 miles north of Bend. There’s accessible parking in front of the boutique — a required stop before you tour the grounds — with level access to the front door. Inside there’s plenty of room to roll around amongst the alpaca products, from socks and scarves to sweaters, shawls and even toys. And if you’d like to buy some food to feed to the alpacas, you can also find that there.
From there, you can wind around the barn and follow the marked path to the alpaca pens. The pathway is level, and a combination of dirt and grass. Although passable in a wheelchair, it’s muddy when it rains. The path winds arounds some large enclosures, and since the alpacas are used to getting fed, they’ll come up to you even if you don’t have any food. Along the way, you’ll get a little alpaca education from the informational signs posted on the pens. About half of the trail is doable for wheelchair-users; and after that the trail goes a bit uphill, crosses an irrigation pipe and bridge, and then heads over to the other side of the pasture. And the trail on that side is pretty uneven. So go in and enjoy the alpacas, and when the trail loses its access for you, just turn around. As an added bonus there are also some great views of the Three Sisters, Mt. Jefferson and Smith Rock from the ranch.
Planning a family reunion can be quite a challenge, especially if it’s a multi-day event that requires overnight lodging. On the other hand, a large house or cabin allows folks to visit and reminisce for the entire weekend. And although finding a reunion house is one thing, finding one that is wheelchair-accessible can be an added challenge. And in that respect Stanford House (www.conservancyforcvnp.org/experience/plan-your-visit/retreats-lodging/) — which is located in Northeastern Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley National Park (https://www.nps.gov/cuva/index.htm) — fills the bill perfectly.
Historic Stanford House
Located near Boston Mills Visitor Center, Stanford House was built in 1843 and can accommodate up to 30 overnight guests. And the good news is, access features have been added over the years to this historic home, so today it’s a great multigenerational lodging choice.
There’s accessible parking in front of the two-story home, and a barrier-free pathway over to the front porch. The grand old home features wide doorways, wood floors, good pathway access and wheelchair access on the first floor. The home is decorated with vintage wallpaper, stately wood moldings and historic chandeliers; while several comfortable rocking chairs line the accessible front porch.
The living room is furnished with a sofa, two love seats, a settee and a few chairs; and there’s still plenty of room to maneuver a wheelchair or scooter around the period pieces and reproductions.
Living Room in the Stanford House
The dining room is massive and it includes two long wooden tables which each can each seat 30 people. There’s a small hutch which is filled with cups, plates, glasses and dishes; and the adjacent commercial kitchen is equipped with a refrigerator, freezer, microwave, and just about every small appliance and utensil you can imagine. And if you’d like to dine outside, there’s level access to a picnic table on the lawn, and the nearby fire circle.
Dining Room in the Stanford House
Access Features Galore
Although the bulk of the dormitory style sleeping areas are located upstairs, there’s also a wheelchair-accessible suite located on the first floor. It’s furnished with two 19-inch high twin beds (which can be pushed together) with access on both sides, as well as a trundle daybed. Truly wheelchair-users have their choice of beds in this home. Top it off with a lowered bedroom mirror and you have a nice accessible room.
Ground Floor Accessible Suite
The adjacent bathroom features a full five-foot turning radius and is equipped with a 36-inch square transfer-type shower, with a fold-down shower bench, grab bars and a hand-held-showerhead. There’s ample floor space in front of the shower to transfer to the shower bench, and level access to roll-in to the unit. Other bathroom access features include a roll-under sink, and a toilet with a grab bar on the left side (as seated).
Bathroom in the Ground Floor Accessible Suite
The access features are well done, and truly this wheelchair-accessible suite will work for folks with a wide range of mobility disabilities. Additionally, the home is secluded and private, so your group will have the area all to yourself.
Explore Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Boarding the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
Stanford House also makes perfect home base for daily jaunts to some of Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s accessible attractions. At the top of the list is the Canal Exploration Center, which is located on the north end of the park. There’s accessible parking with level access to the front entrance of this former 1800s tavern, which now houses a store and an information center. And since the paved wheelchair-accessible towpath runs right in front of the building, you can take an accessible hike in either direction.
Brecksville Nature Center, which is located near the Station Road Bridge, is also worth a stop. Accessible parking is located next to an accessible picnic table, so pack along a lunch and enjoy a midday break. From there it’s a .15-mile walk on an accessible trail to the nature center. Accessible restrooms are located next door, and there’s level access to the nature center, which features a number of interpretive exhibits. The building also boasts floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the garden bird feeders. It’s an excellent place to sit back and enjoy some of the 200-plus different avian visitors that have been spotted in the park.
And don’t miss a ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (www.cvsr.org). The three-hour scenic excursion winds through the park, and offers visitors a good overview of the area. Even better, the train has a lift-equipped car with plenty of wheelchair seating, and an accessible restroom. The trip begins at the Rockside Station in Independence and heads south along the Cuyahoga River, before it winds its way down to the Akron Northside Station. After that, it turns around and heads back to the Rockside Station. It’s a great way to explore Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and you just can’t beat the views.
Located just off what’s often been called “the loneliest road in America”, Great Basin National Park (nps.gov/grba/) is the epitome of remote. Named for the dry and mountainous basin between the Sierra Nevada and Wasatch mountain ranges, this Eastern Nevada national park offers a diverse landscape, from subterranean caverns to high alpine peaks. And as one of America’s least visited national parks, it’s the perfect place to take a welcome break from hectic city life. The good news is, even though parts of this park are quite rugged, it still offers plenty of places for wheelchair-users and slow walkers to admire Mother Nature’s handiwork.
Get Your Bearings
Wheeler Peak Viewpoint
One of the most accessible ways to enjoy Great Basin National Park is to take the 12-mile scenic drive up to Wheeler Peak. The best place to begin your adventure is at the Great Basin Visitor Center, located on Highway 487 in Baker. There’s accessible parking in front, with level access to the visitor center. Inside there’s plenty of room to navigate a wheelchair around the interpretive exhibits. This is a good place to get your bearings, pick up a park map and get first-hand information from the rangers on duty.
From the visitor center, continue along Highway 488 until you reach the park. Just past the park entrance, make a right turn on Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive. This winding road hugs the mountain as it passes through several ecosystems on the way to the summit. The landscape is dotted with sagebrush, before it gives way to a pinion juniper woodland, and then transforms into a conifer forest. There’s no shortage of great windshield views along the way, and there are several scenic viewpoints where you can admire the sweeping vistas. And although the road is paved, the average grade is eight percent, and vehicles and trailers longer than 24 feet are prohibited. On the plus side, that means you won’t see any tour buses at the top.
Enjoy the View
Sky Island Forest Trail
There are several scenic viewpoints along Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, that are definitely worth a stop. First up on the drive is the Osceola Ditch trailhead, which is located just past Lehman Creek campgrounds. There’s plenty of room to parallel park in the asphalt pullout, with level access over to the interpretive panel about the Osceola Ditch. This 18-mile flume dates back to 1890, when it was built to carry water to the nearby gold mining operation. Although the mines saw some success in the beginning, they shut down in 1905, but some remnants of the Osceola Ditch still stand.
Just up the road you’ll find two viewpoints which offer great views of the vast Great Basin. Mather Overlook is just a short drive off the main road, and it features level access to the viewing deck, which has a wheelchair-height scope. There is also an accessible vault toilet and a picnic table on a cement pad at this overlook. Wheeler Peak Overlook also offers level access to a viewing deck with a wheelchair-height scope, where you’ll get an excellent view of the Wheeler Peak Glacier.
Up at the top there is accessible parking in the Bristlecone Parking Lot, with level access to the Sky Island Forest Trail. This .4-mile loop is very nicely done, with rubber mats and boardwalk sections to make it accessible in all weather. The maximum grade along the 32-inch wide trail is eight percent, and there are benches along the way to stop and rest. Interpretive plaques dot the trail, which winds through a fir and pine forest. Located at 10,000 feet, this trail offers a unique opportunity for wheelchair-users and slow walkers to explore the sub-alpine forest.
The Wonder Down Under
The Gothic Room at Lehman Caves in Big Basin National Park
There’s another side to Great Basin National Park – a subterranean side. After you finish the scenic drive, head down to Lehman Caves for an entirely different view of the park. Located at the end of Highway 488, the Lehman Caves Visitor Center offers accessible parking, with a ramp up to the back entrance. Inside, there’s barrier-free access to the visitor center and gift shop.
Although there are 76 steps on the regular cave tour, a special “mobility tour” is also available. Although not 100 percent accessible it may work for some wheelchair-users and slow walkers. The tour is actually a shorter version of the regular tour, and people who can’t manage the steps and grade just go to the first room — the Gothic Room — and then return to the visitor center.
There’s level access on a paved pathway to the cave entrance, but there’s a five-to-eight-percent grade to the Gothic Room. Wheelchair-users must be accompanied by a companion who can push them in and out of the cave. And although it may sound a bit restrictive, it’s a good opportunity for some wheelchair-users and slow walkers to get a look at the fabulous stalactite and stalagmite formations inside the cave.
The availability of the mobility tour is dependent on the staffing, as there has to be an extra ranger to take wheelchair-users and slow walkers back early. For more information on the mobility tour or to find out about availability, call (775) 234-7517. Tickets for this tour are not available online, but it’s definitely worth the extra effort to make arrangements for the mobility tour in advance.
Barrier-Free Travel California National Park Road Trips for Wheelchair-Users and Slow Walkers
Located in Southwestern South Dakota, Badlands National Park (www.nps.gov/badl) features a rugged landscape dotted with an almost otherworldly collection of geological formations. The windshield views of the convoluted rock formations are spectacular, so you don’t even need to get out of your vehicle to enjoy it all. On the other hand, if you’d like to linger a bit, there are plenty of wheelchair-accessible Badlands options; including numerous trails and overlooks along the way. And there’s even an accessible lodge to spend the night.
Take a Hike
Fossil Exhibit Trail in Badlands National Park
Although the landscape looks foreboding, it’s easy to plan a wheelchair-accessible Badlands trip. To get a good overview, take a drive along Badlands Loop Road, where you’ll find a number of wheelchair-accessible viewpoints and pullouts that aren’t even marked on the park map.
There are also several accessible trails along Badlands Loop Road, including the Window Trail and the Door Trail, which are just a short drive from the visitor center. Both trails can be accessed from the same parking lot, which includes accessible parking and an accessible vault toilet.
The Window Trail is located on the south side of the parking lot. The level boardwalk leads out to a natural window that looks out on eerie hoodoo-like formations off in the distance. It’s a pleasant quarter-mile out-and-back stroll.
Viewing Platform at the End of the Windows Trail in Badlands National Park
The Door Trail is located at the other end of the parking lot, near the much needed shade structure. The level boardwalk snakes between a break in the Badlands Wall — called The Door — and opens up to a sweeping sandstone canon view at the end. It’s a .75-mile round-trip hike.
Start of the Door Trail in Badlands National Park
And don’t miss the Fossil Exhibit Trail, which is located near White River Valley Overlook. Accessible parking and an accessible vault toilet are located near the trailhead. This quarter-mile boardwalk features low bumpers for unobstructed views, and includes interpretive panels that describe the extinct creatures that once roamed the area. Examples of fossils are also located along this nicely accessible loop trail.
Each trail offers a different look at the varied landscape, but don’t forget the sunscreen, as shade is in short supply in this neck of the woods
Stay a Spell
To ramp up your wheelchair-accessible Badlands experience, plan to spend at least one night at Cedar Pass Lodge (www.cedarpasslodge.com). Not only is it one of the newer properties in the national park system, but it’s also conveniently located right next door to the Ben Reifel Visitor Center.
Designed to resemble the rustic 1928 Cedar Pass cabins, this modern incarnation includes all the creature comforts that travelers expect today. It has several accessible cabins, including cabin 101, a duplex model.
Access features include ramp access to the front porch, wide doorways, excellent pathway access, a lowered clothing rod, and wood floors for easy rolling. The interior is equally striking and includes walls paneled with beetle-kill pine from the Black Hills, and furnishings that are hand-crafted from Lodgepole pines.
Furnishings include a 23-inch high bed with wheelchair access on both sides, a table, two chairs, a refrigerator and a microwave. There’s also level access out to the spacious back deck, which is a great place to enjoy the sunset.
The bathroom is furnished with a roll-in shower with grab bars, a hand-held showerhead and a padded shower bench. The toilet grab bars are located on the back and right walls (as seated), and the bathroom also includes a roll-under sink and a lowered mirror. And like the rest of the cabin, there’s plenty of room to maneuver even the largest wheelchair or scooter around the bathroom.
Cabin 101 at Cedar Pass Lodge in Badlands National Park
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There’s also good access to the public areas of the property, including the gift shop, registration area and the restaurant. The only in-park lodging option in Badlands National Park, Cedar Pass Lodge makes a great home-base for any wheelchair-accessible Badlands visit. And you just can’t beat the scenery!
Created by Jane Orleman and Dick Elliott, this downtown Ellensburg home is decorated in a conglomeration of reflectors and other common items. And it’s more than just a work of art, as Jane still lives there. Sadly Dick passed away in 2008, but his artistic creation lives on in this house that the couple purchased in 1978.
The home is surrounded by a fence with posts adorned with everything from nails and keys, to bottle caps, insulators and even a few cooking implements here and there. A “Life is But a Dream” mural graces one side of the fence, and a nook with a guest book sits near the end. Add in a few insulators on the side, a racy mannequin with reflectors for boobs (Big Red), and a man with a camera for a face and you have everything but the kitchen sink — all artistically done of course. And don’t miss the gigantic hand that adorns the front, near the doorway. Dick and Jane’s Spot is truly a work of art, and everywhere you look, you find something different — and sometimes it’s pretty subtle. Other times, it’s hard to miss.
Access is good around the house, with sidewalks lining the venue, and curb-cuts at the corner. And there’s a little side alley that gives folks access to another aspect of the decorated home. There’s a parking lot that’s adjacent to the house, but there are no accessible parking spaces. Best bet is to park in the accessible street parking spots in front of the police station across the street. If you need accessible parking, set your GPS to 100 N. Pearl Street, as otherwise you’ll be routed through a few parking lots to the side of the house. Worth a quick stop for sure — an excellent photo-op.
Located 11 miles west of the Nisqually Entrance to Mount Rainier National Park, Recycled Spirits of Iron Sculpture Park features the works of Daniel Klennert. And as the name implies, his creations are crafted from recycled and discarded objects. The front installations are dwarfed by a giant train near the entrance, and they include everything from a broomstick horse, and a wagon wheel, to a seahorse crafted from horseshoes, a collection of birds, and a number of themed motorcycles. Around back the installations continue with another train, more motorcycles, a collection of outhouses and an X-rated Mona Lisa. And although it’s a little bumpy in the back, the front garden and the inside gallery and gift shop are wheelchair-accessible. 
101 N. Pearl Street