Population 4,522
This Sonoma County town makes a perfect home base for a wine tasting road trip. You can opt to stay in a traditional property like the Creekside Inn (creeksideinn.com), which offers the wheelchair-accessible Lark Cabin with a roll-in shower; or choose to glamp in style at Russian River AutoCamp, which boasts a custom-built wheelchair-accessible unit. After you’re settled in, head out for some wine tasting at Marimar Estate Vineyards & Winery (www.marimarestate.com) which offers good wheelchair access. Top off your visit with a stroll through the redwoods at Armstrong Redwoods State Park, which has several wheelchair-accessible trails.
Surrounded by the signature red rock formations that are found throughout Zion Canyon, AutoCamp Zion (autocamp.com/location/zion/?gad_source=1) delivers on both accessibility and ambiance. Located about 20 miles from Zion National Park, this sixth property in the AutoCamp portfolio not only gives guests an upscale glamping experience, but it also goes above and beyond as far as access is concerned.
The AutoCamp formula is simple — they provide upscale airstream camping trailers and fun communal spaces in some of the nation’s most scenic areas. Although they’ve always been keen on providing top-notch accessibility, it seems that each AutoCamp property is more accessible than the last. And happily, that trend continues at the new Zion location.
The AutoCamp experience begins at the Clubhouse, where guests leave their cars, check-in and walk — or roll — to their individual units. There’s plenty of accessible parking near the Clubhouse, with ramp access up to the building. Inside there’s ample room to maneuver even a large wheelchair or scooter over to the lowered front desk. It’s just a pleasant space to begin your AutoCamp visit.
Spend the Night at AutoCamp Zion
Accessible suite 104 at AutoCamp Zion
AutoCamp Zion has five accessible units, all of which are located close to the Clubhouse and public areas. Most guests pack their luggage into the colorful AutoCamp wagons and trek off to their trailers. That said, even though the accessible units are just a short accessible roll from the Clubhouse, luggage assistance and transportation to the front door can also be provided upon request. In short, if you need anything, just ask.
Accessible suite 104 is located a short walk from the Clubhouse, and across from the pool. There’s ramp access up to the deck and level access through the double front door to the accessible suite. Inside, the living area is furnished with a fold-out sofa, a table and a TV; while the adjacent kitchen includes an accessible sink, a cooktop, a microwave and a refrigerator. And of course all the dishes, utensils and cookware that you could possibly need. The adjacent bathroom features a wide barn door and a full five foot turning radius. It’s outfitted with a Continental zero-step shower with a fold-down shower seat, a hand-held showerhead and grab bars. The bathroom also includes a roll-under sink and toilet grab bars on the right side (as seated).
Located on the other end of the trailer, the bedroom features a wide doorway and is furnished with a 25-inch high open-frame queen-sized bed. There’s wheelchair access on the left side of the bed (as you face it) and the panoramic back window offers a great view of the surrounding landscape. It’s a nice place to cuddle up and enjoy the night sky, yet still retain your privacy.
Add in a propane firepit on the front deck to melt some marshmallows for s’mores, and you have the quintessential AutoCamp experience.
Bedroom in suite 104
Kitchen & living area in suite 104
Bathroom in suite 104
Enjoy the Public Spaces
Pool lift at AutoCamp Zion
The public spaces at AutoCamp Zion are equally appealing; in fact they’re a mainstay of the the AutoCamp brand. Take the pool area for example. It’s conveniently located near the accessible units and features good pathway access and a pool lift. And if you’d like to lounge during the midday sun, there are also plenty of umbrellas.
There’s an adjacent bathhouse and changing area, which features individual accessible rooms which each have a roll-in shower, a roll-under sink and a toilet with grab bars. And since half the rooms are on one side of the corridor, and half are on the other, they are mirror images, so you have your choice of toilet grab bar placement. There’s also barrier-free access to this area from the Clubhouse.
Accessible changing room in the bathhouse
And the Clubhouse is more than just a place to register and get your keycard. It’s also home to The Kitchen which offers light breakfast items in the morning, and pizza, burgers and snacks, as well as a nice selection of wine and beer in the afternoon. Eat in the lounge or take it back to your place — the choice is yours. And if you want to make your own meal, they also have all inclusive grill kits available. The small General Store, which is located near the front door, offers beverages, snacks, grocery items and even a s’mores kit. Just add fire and you’re set to go.
Inside the Clubhouse at AutoCamp Zion
And although there are individual firepits at all the sites, if you’d prefer a community experience, there’s also a large fire circle located near the Clubhouse. It’s the perfect place to chill after a full day of exploring Zion; and a great finale to any AutoCamp adventure.
Barrier-Free Travel Utah National Parks for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
Located just outside the South Entrance of Yosemite National Park (www.emerginghorizons.com/yosemite-national-park), Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite (tenayalodge.com) has long been a favorite pick for park visitors. And although this luxury property boasts a robust selection of accessible rooms and cabins, the wheelchair-accessible Explorer Cabins at Tenaya Lodge offer guests an upscale glamping experience in a secluded forest location. Add in a custom-built accessible bus for tours of Yosemite Valley, and you have all the ingredients for a perfect national park getaway.
The Explorer Cabin Concept
Located a short drive away from the main lodge, the Explorer Cabins offer a bevy of creature comforts combined with the personalized services and perks of a full-service resort. Nestled in a sugar pine and incense cedar forest, the cabins exude a dual theme of exploration and community. They inspire guests to explore Yosemite’s great outdoor areas, and then invite them to commune with their fellow travelers and share their adventures in the intimate public spaces dotted throughout the Explorer Cabin complex.
The cornerstone of the complex is the 1,800-square foot Explorer Clubhouse, an exclusive communal retreat with an expansive deck that offers a panoramic view of the surrounding forest. There’s accessible parking in front, with level access over to the clubhouse, and plenty of room to maneuver a wheelchair inside. Explorer Cabin guests check-in at the clubhouse, and later they can lounge by fire or grab a bottle of water before a hike.
A light breakfast, which is included with the Explorer Cabins, is available in the Explorer Clubhouse each morning. Breakfast offerings include pastries, breakfast burritos, fruit and beverages. And don’t miss the wine reception each evening. And if you’d like to enjoy some s’mores around one of the firepits, then stop by for their S’moregasboard, where you can build your own tasty s’mores kit.
Another exclusive feature of the Explorer Cabins is the onsite Camp Host. This roving ambassador is available to offer sightseeing suggestions, book spa appointments or even offer tips for roasting the perfect marshmallow. Think of the Camp Host as a remote concierge — an ambassador of adventure that’s ready, willing and able to offer personal assistance to create a more memorable Yosemite visit.
Accessible Explorer Cabins
There are five wheelchair-accessible Explorer Cabins at Tenaya Lodge — Cabins 9, 17, 24, 34 and 42. Cabin 9, which is a premium accessible cabin is located a short walk from the Explorer Clubhouse. Accessible parking is located next to the two-bedroom unit, with level access to the front door. Access features include wide doorways, lever handles, lowered environmental controls, good pathway access and plank floors for easy rolling.
The living area is furnished with a 11-inch high sleeper sofa and an easy chair, which are nestled in front of a cozy gas fireplace. The adjacent kitchenette is equipped with a sink, a microwave, and a refrigerator. It also boasts counter seating with two bar stools.
Living Space in Cabin 9
Master Bedroom in Cabin 9
Second Bedroom in Cabin 9
The master bedroom is furnished with a 23-inch high queen-sized bed with wheelchair access on both sides, a chest of drawers and two night stands. There’s level access out to the roomy back deck, which offers a sweeping view of Big Creek, and is furnished with two Adirondack chairs. The second bedroom is a bit smaller, and it’s also furnished with a 23-inch high queen-sized bed. There’s room enough for a manual wheelchair on one side, but this bedroom is really best suited for a slow walker.
The spacious bathroom features a full five-foot turning radius. It’s equipped with a roll-in shower with grab bars, a hand-held showerhead and a fold-down shower seat. Other access features include a roll-under sink with a lowered mirror, and toilet grab bars on the back and left walls (as seated).
Shower in Cabin 9
Sink in Cabin 9
Toilet in Cabin 9
Cabin 42 is also an accessible premium cabin, and cabins 17, 24 and 34 are accessible deluxe cabins. They all have the exact same access features and furnishings as cabin 9; but the deluxe cabins have a porch instead of a back deck.
Tour Yosemite Valley
Wheelchair-accessible tour bus
Even if you don’t stay in one of the wheelchair-accessible Explorer Cabins at Tenaya Lodge, you’ll still want to book a tour of Yosemite with the lodge. And the good news is, they have a luxurious wheelchair-accessible bus that can accommodate everyone. With a retractable glass roof, visitors get a full 360-degree view of all of Yosemite’s grandeur — even in inclement weather. And if you want to enjoy the wind in your hair, the driver can easily retract the glass roof for that real convertible feel.
The accessible tour bus features lift access and is equipped with wheelchair tie-downs. Wheelchair-users and slow walkers can opt to stay in their own wheelchairs or transfer to one of the comfortable bus seats. The day long Yosemite Valley tour includes stops at Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls and Valley View. And you’ll also have some time to spend in Yosemite Valley to ride the shuttle bus and explore more of the park.
You just can’t beat the convenience of a Tioga Lodge Tour, as you can dodge the traffic and parking woes, and still manage to see all of the major Yosemite Valley sites in one day. It’s the perfect choice if you have limited time in the park. So book a Tenaya Lodge tour on your next Yosemite visit, for a perfectly accessible seamless travel experience.
Barrier-Free Travel Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
Population 4,522
