Yurts are all the rage these days. An alternative to pitching a tent, they come in all shapes and sizes. Some are pretty basic, while others offer all the comforts of home. They are all set in stunning locations, and since you just have to take along bedding and towels, it’s easy to pack for a yurting vacation. And the good news is, wheelchair-accessible yurts are popping up at campgrounds across America.
This accessible yurt is located in a popular state park in Northwestern Georgia. Spend a night or two and enjoy some of the views from the accessible Overlook Trail.
These two wheelchair-accessible yurts are surrounded by Colorado’s scenic beauty. One is located in Golden Gate Canyon, while the other is near Rocky Mountain National Park.
Located south of highly visited Sequoia National Park, this secluded yurt is in a campground with only 11 other sites. And it’s just a stones throw away from a wheelchair-accessible trail through the Sequoias.
This simple yurt is perched on a hillside overlooking a scenic Utah lake. Add in a spacious deck with a gas BBQ and you have a perfectly accessible retreat.
If you want to dodge the tourist crowds in popular Napa Valley, then head over to Boothe Napa State Park and spend the night in this wheelchair-accessible yurt. And then enjoy some of the wheelchair-accessible trails in the park.
South Beach State Park, which is located on the Oregon coast, features 23 wheelchair-accessible yurts. Add in some accessible trails and you have the perfect spot to stay for a few days.
Last but certainly not least, this wheelchair-accessible yurt is located in Ridgeway State Park, nestled at the base of the San Juan Mountains in Southwestern Colorado. And it’s just a short drive from Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
Barrier-Free Travel
California National Park Road Trips
for Wheelchair-Users and Slow Walkers
Located across the country, presidential museums and libraries (https://www.archives.gov/presidential-libraries) not only contain an archive of presidential photos and documents, but they also offer exhibits about the former presidents and the eras of their presidency. In most cases they are funded by private foundations and donations; and they are located in the former presidents’ home state or in a state where they had close ties or spent the majority of their life. And the good news is, since these museums serve as visible faces of the former presidents, most of them go well beyond the letter of the law as far as wheelchair access is concerned. So check out these favorites in your future travels.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Museum
President Eisenhower’s boyhood home at the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home
eisenhowerlibrary.gov Located in Abilene, Kansas the Eisenhower museum complex includes a visitors center, the Place of Meditation, Ike’s boyhood home, the museum and the library. There is level access to the visitors center, where you can pick up a loaner wheelchair. Just to the left of the visitors center you’ll find Ike’s boyhood home. Although there are three steps at the front, there is also a wheelchair lift on the side. The first floor of the house is open to the public and it features original furnishings, photographs and personal items of the Eisenhower family.
The museum itself is just a short walk from the home and it features barrier-free access and a wheelchair-lift at the front entrance. It’s really a must-see for anyone interested in World War II history, as the excellent Military Gallery features documents, photographs and artifacts from the war. It also includes a gallery devoted to Mamie Eisenhower, and one that presents a comprehensive overview of President Eisenhower’s life and achievements.
Last but not least, save some time to visit the Place of Meditation, where President Eisenhower was buried on April 2, 1969. There is level access to the chapel and good pathway access inside. The stained glass windows, which were designed by Odell Prather, are particularly striking.
The LBJ Library
Replica of Lady Bird’s office at the LBJ Presidential Library
lbjlibrary.org This presidential museum is located on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin. Free accessible parking is available in lot 38, which is just a short walk from the museum entrance. Access is excellent throughout the museum too, with elevator access to all floors, accessible restrooms, loaner wheelchairs and plenty of space to wheel around the galleries.
As with all presidential museums, a good chunk of the exhibits chronicle the lives of the first family. And along the way you’ll learn some interesting tidbits. For example, Lady Bird got her nickname from a nurse who declared that she was “as pretty as a lady bird”. Add in a reproduction of the Oval Office, as well as Lady Bird’s office, and the official presidential limousine and you have a well-rounded representation of presidential life.
Like the other presidential museums this one also focuses on the events of the times — in this case the 1960s and the 1970s — so if you happened to grow up in those decades it will be especially interesting to you.
Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
Sikorsky VH-3A “Sea King” helicopter Richard Nixon used for his final departure from the White House after resigning in 1974 at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
nixonlibrary.gov Although the Richard M. Nixon Presidential Library and Museum tends to focus more on Mr. Nixon’s long political career, this Yorba Linda museum also includes some small exhibits on Watergate, the Middle East and Nixon’s farewell speech. The Vietnam Gallery also offers some interesting insights on the conflict, as well as an exhibit of items collected by the POWs. Outside, there’s the Richard Nixon birthplace and the presidential helicopter, which was used by presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon and Ford.
Access is good throughout the museum with plenty of accessible parking, ramped access to the front entrance and barrier-free access throughout all the galleries. There is an accessible path from the museum to the birthplace, and a ramped entrance at the back door of the birthplace. There are several steps up to the helicopter; however there is a wide level space around it, with plenty of room to navigate a wheelchair. And it’s an excellent photo op.
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum
fordlibrarymuseum.gov Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, this presidential museum gives visitors a good dose of 1970s history. No matter what your political party affiliation, if you lived through the Watergate years, you’ll love this museum. That’s because the former president wanted the museum to be more about history and less about him.
There is level access to the front entrance of the museum, elevator access to all floors and ample room to wheel around in all of the galleries. Part of the museum focuses on the 38th President’s career, family and military life; however the bulk of it is dedicated to events that occurred just prior to and during his presidency, or those that were influenced by his presidency. Must-sees include the tools used in the Watergate break in and a fascinating exhibit about the Nixon pardon.
Jimmy Carter Library and Museum
Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum
jimmycarterlibrary.gov The Jimmy Carter Library and Museum is located about five minutes from downtown Atlanta, on a 35-acre wooded parcel dotted with ponds. Highlights of this museum include a replica of the Oval Office, photographs and memorabilia from the Carter Presidency, and an interesting Camp David exhibit. And of course, don’t miss the gallery filled with Head of State gifts.
Accessible parking is located near the museum, with ramp access to the entrance. Inside there’s plenty of room to wheel around the spacious galleries, with ramp access to some exhibits. Outside, paved pathways lead around the spacious grounds, with wheelchair access to most areas.
Ronald Regan Library & Museum
Replica of the Oval Office at the Ronald Regan Presidential Foundation & Institute
reaganlibrary.com Located in Simi Valley, California, the Ronald Regan Library & Museum features hundreds of artifacts that chronicle the former-president’s life, career and political accomplishments. There’s a drop-off area for wheelchair-users and slow walkers in front of the museum, with barrier-free access to the entrance and good pathway access inside. A loaner wheelchair is also available at the front desk.
The museum features 125,000 square-feet of gallery space that highlights Regan’s family life, movie career and life in the White House. It also includes a replica of the Oval Office and a section of the Berlin Wall. As an added bonus, many of the exhibits are interactive, so visitors can act in a movie with Ronald Regan or set a table for a White House dinner.
One of the highlights of the museum is Air Force One. There is elevator access down to the tarmac in the Air Force One Pavilion, where you can walk and roll around the plane. Although stairs lead up to the plane, there is also a lift available. That said the airplane aisle is only 28-inches wide, so it may be too narrow for some wheelchair-users. Still it’s fun to great a peek inside.
George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum
George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum
bush41.org Located about 100 miles east of Austin, College Station is the site of the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum. More specifically, the museum is located on the Texas A&M University Campus.
There’s plenty of accessible parking near the museum, with level access through the plaza to the front lobby. Wheelchairs are available for loan at the front desk, and there’s elevator access to all floors, with barrier-free pathways though the galleries.
Exhibits focus on the life of the former president, and include some reflections of Mr. Bush’s time in the Navy. As one of the Navy’s youngest pilots, he was shot down in the Pacific, and his rescue was recorded on a hand-held movie camera. Today that film clip is on display in the museum. Other exhibits focus on Mr. Bush’s presidential campaigns, his oil business and his stint as a United Nations Ambassador.
Several exhibits focus on events that had an impact on the Bush presidency, with video screens playing back snippets of history. Then there’s the replica of the Oval Office, the collection of state gifts and even the president’s reaction to Watergate. And of course there is a gallery dedicated to the First Lady, as well as one which focuses on the life of President and Mrs. Bush after leaving the White House.
Clinton Presidential Center
Clinton Presidential Center
clintonfoundation.org/clinton-presidential-center Last but certainly not least in our roundup of presidential museums is the Clinton Presidential Center, located in the River Market District in Little Rock, Arkansas. The 20,000 square-foot exhibit space features excellent access to all galleries, sleek wood floors and level access to the front entrance. And if you don’t think you can manage this massive space on foot, loaner wheelchairs are available.
The exhibits chronicle the Clinton presidency, and include a replica of the Oval Office (complete with a moon rock), items from Bill’s childhood, and even a collection of Saturday Night Live clips featuring Clinton impersonations. There’s also a wing that features the splendor of the White House during the holidays and shows how the Clinton’s gave the presidential residence special touches to really make it their home.
All in all the Clinton Presidential Center houses one of the best presidential collections, and it’s definitely worth a visit. Plan to spend the whole day there though, as there’s definitely a lot to see.
Barrier-Free Travel 22 Accessible Road Trips Driving Vacations for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
Thanks to a partnership between the Aimee Copeland Foundation (aimeecopelandfoundation.org/) and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (gastateparks.org/), many Georgia State Parks offer track chairs to disabled visitors. These all terrain wheelchairs are fitted with tank tracks instead of wheels, and can maneuver through mud and over trails that might otherwise be inaccessible in standard wheelchairs. They can be used for hiking, hunting, fishing and other recreational activities. There’s no charge to borrow the track chairs, but a safety certification and a 48-hour advance reservation are required.
Georgia State Park Track Chair Locations
The following Georgia State Parks offer track chairs:
Georgia State Park Track Chair Reservation Process
Advance reservations are required to borrow a Georgia State Park track chair. A valid accessible parking placard is needed in order to make a reservation. A doctor’s statement describing your disability and your need for a track chair is also acceptable. If you do not have either of these, but believe you still qualify, call (770) 866-2815.
All track chair-users must also be accompanied by a companion 18 years of age or older, who is able to navigate the park terrain alongside the track chair. This is important, because the terrain on some of the trails can get pretty rough. The user and the companion must submit a copy of their photo IDs. All documents must be e-mailed to info@allterraingeorgia.org.
Once all the documents are received, the user will be sent a link to a safety/operational tutorial. The user and the companion must view the tutorial and pass an online test. After this is completed, the user will be sent a link and a password to access the online reservation system. They can then make their track chair reservation online
Located on the western edge of Lookout Mountain in far Northwestern Georgia, Cloudland Canyon State Park (gastateparks.org/CloudlandCanyon) boasts some of the best views in the state. Visitors marvel at the deep gorge cut by Daniel Creek, and enjoy sandstone cliffs, dense woodlands and abundant wildlife in this remote natural area. But remote doesn’t necessarily mean inaccessible, as slow walkers and wheelchair-users can also enjoy the scenery and then bed down in an accessible yurt at this off-the-beaten-path scenic find.
Enjoy the Canyon View
Overlook Trail in Cloudland Canyon State Park, Georgia
Although a good chunk of Cloudland Canyon State Park is composed of rugged backcountry and some challenging trails, the most spectacular canyon views can be found on the accessible Overlook Trail. Accessible parking is available in the picnic area parking lot, with level access over to the trailhead. There are also accessible picnic tables and restrooms near the parking area.
Make a right at the trailhead to take the Overlook Trail, as a left turn will put you on the inaccessible West Rim Loop Trail, which descends into the canyon. The Overlook Trail is wide and paved and mostly level, and is marked by light blue blazes on the trees. This half-mile trail winds along the canyon and offers some nice views along the way.
The most accessible overlook is located directly behind the interpretive center. Some manual wheelchair-users may require assistance with the slight grade, but it’s quite doable for most power wheelchair-users. There are also two more overlooks along the trail, but due to some aging Civilian Conservation Corps stone steps, they are not accessible.
After the second overlook the trail winds through the forest past a picnic table before it loses its access. Still it’s a pleasant one-mile round trip hike, with benches to sit and enjoy the forest along the way. And if you can’t manage the distance, at least stop for the beautiful canyon view behind the interpretive center.
Camp Out in an Accessible Yurt
Yurt 10 in Cloudland Canyon State Park, Georgia
If you’d like to spend the night at Cloudland Canyon State Park, then reserve a comfortable yurt. Yurt 10 is wheelchair accessible and can sleep up to six people. Accessible parking is available near the yurt, with a drop-off space directly in front of the level walkway to the front porch.
The yurt features wide doorways and wood floors and is outfitted with a 13-inch high bunk bed (bottom bunk) and a 19-inch high double futon. Other furnishings include four bar stools, a tall table, a shorter wheelchair-height table and some shelves. The yurt is also equipped with electric outlets, a ceiling fan and a heater. Linens are not provided, so make sure to pack along your sleeping bag.
There’s level access out to the private back porch that’s surrounded by the forest, and furnished with two Adirondack chairs and a small table. Out front there’s an accessible picnic table on a pad, a grill, a deer dressing stand and a water spigot. It’s a comfortable set up, and with only 10 yurts in the village, it’s not as crowded as the campgrounds.
The comfort station is located a short walk down a paved road; however there’s also an accessible parking space in front if you’d prefer to drive. The standard comfort station is not accessible, but there are two large accessible family restrooms next door. They each feature a toilet with grab bars, a roll-under sink and a full five-foot turning radius. The shower area includes a roll-in shower with grab bars, a fold-down shower bench and a hand-held shower head. And since these two units are mirror images, there’s a choice in regards to toilet grab bar placement.
Population 443
If your travels take you through Central Georgia, make sure and stop in Warm Springs — a sleepy little town made famous by President Roosevelt. The president originally sought out the healing waters of the town as a cure for his polio, but he later formed a strong connection to the community, and subsequently established a program to bring affordable electricity to the area. Today visitors can tour Roosevelt’s Little White House (gastateparks.org/LittleWhiteHouse), which includes some personal possessions, a few pieces from the original house, and even a set of hand controls designed by the president. The site also features a museum that includes information on family members, events that occurred during Roosevelt’s presidency, and gifts sent to him by an adoring public. And as you might guess — considering Roosevelt’s disability — most of the site is wheelchair-accessible.
Population 1,233
Located 90 miles north of Atlanta in the heart of the Blue Ridge foothills, this Northern Georgia town is a bit off the main tourist track, and that’s reason enough to stop there. It’s the perfect place to get away from the city, and take a relaxing ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway (www.brscenic.com). The train features lift access to an open-air car . The lift that can accommodate a total weight of 1.000 pounds, and there’s also an accessible restroom on the train. The train follows the Toccoa River and travels at a very leisurely pace, so the 26—mile journey takes about an hour. It pulls into McCaysville around noon, and departs for Blue Ridge two hours later. Passengers have plenty of time to explore the town, and even walk up the street to the twin border town of Copperhill, Tennessee. All in all, it’s a very relaxing way to spend the afternoon.
Although there are many contenders for the World’s Largest Peanut, the true winner resides in Ashburn, GA. You can spy the stately goober from I 75, just south of exit 82 on the west side of the highway. And if you’d fancy a closer look, then take the Washington Drive exit and turn west, then make a left on Sylvia/Whittle, between Zaxby’s and the Pizza Hut. The big nut can be found on a small service road on the left, about a half-mile from the turn. Although it was knocked from its perch in Hurricane Michael in 2018, it was replaced and renovated in 2023. During that interim phase, several other peanuts claimed “largest” status, but after the replacement the Ashburn giant regained the title.
There’s a small paved parking lot, and although it’s not striped it is level and seems adequate for the amount of traffic the peanut gets. There’s level access over to the nut, but if you are expecting a big peanut gift shop filled with tasty treats, coffee cups and t-shirts, you will be sorely disappointed, as the only thing at this stop is a commemorative plaque, and the World’s Largest Peanut. Still it’s a fun stop, and there’s a journalistic twist to the nut too, as it was erected in memory of Nora Lawrence Smith, the former editor and co-publisher of the Wiregrass Farmer, Turner County’s award-winning newspaper. So why a peanut? It is of course Turner County’s most important agricultural product. As an added bonus, if you hit this site after dark, it’s also lighted.
