Located in the Southern Sierra Nevada Mountains, Sequoia National Park is home to a large grove of stately giant sequoia trees, including the 275-foot tall General Sherman Tree, the largest tree on Earth. The park is about a four-hour drive from Yosemite Valley, via Highways 41, 99 and 198, through Visalia to the Ash Mountain park entrance. From there the Generals Highway travels through the foothills up to the Giant Forest, and then continues through the Sequoia National Forest and on to Kings Canyon National Park.
Insider Tips
The most accessible way to get to the General Sherman Tree is to park in the lower accessible parking lot on the Generals Highway, and take the quarter-mile paved trail over to the tree. And if you can’t manage the entire length of the trail, you can still get an excellent view of the towering giant about .1-mile up the trail.
You know you’ve found a good picnic spot when you see that the rangers also frequent it – and that’s exactly the case for Pinewood Picnic Area. Located on the Generals Highway just north of the Big Trees Trail, not only is this picnic area very pleasant, but it’s also one of the most accessible ones in the park. The shaded grove features a paved pathway over to the accessible tables and grills, with accessible vault toilets nearby. Additionally, there’s level access to many of the standard tables in the grove.
Wuksachi Lodge, which is located four miles north of the General Sherman Tree, offers a nice selection of accessible rooms. To be more specific, the property boasts eight accessible rooms, all of which have roll-in showers. There’s also good access to the main lodge building which houses the Peaks Restaurant, that offers patrons a panoramic view of the surrounding forest.
Angels Rest Wheelchair-Accessible Treehouse Suite at Skamania Lodge, Oregon
Although Skamania Lodge (https://www.skamania.com/) is just a 45-minute drive from Portland, it’s a world away from the trappings of urban life. Surrounded by towering evergreens, the 175-acre property offers upscale amenities in the scenic Columbia River Gorge. Of course the standard lodge rooms and suites at Skamania Lodge are beyond comfortable; however if you want to raise the meter on the exclusivity index, then check-in to their new wheelchair-accessible treehouse suite. Located in an private corner of the property, this luxurious tree-level suite offers comfortable furnishings, first-rate-amenities and more than a few little extras. And even though most treehouses aren’t doable for people with mobility issues, this wheelchair-accessible treehouse suite at Skamania Lodge is an excellent lodging choice for wheelchair-users and slow walkers.
A Wheelchair-Accessible Treehouse
Inside the Angels Rest wheelchair-accessible treehouse suiteThere are Lots of Windows in the Angels Rest wheelchair-accessible treehouse suite
The new treehouse suites are located in a quiet corner of the lodge property that’s reserved for treehouse guests. There’s plenty of room to deploy a ramp in the parking space reserved for the Angels Rest (701) wheelchair-accessible treehouse suite. From there a 300-foot paved pathway leads up to the treehouse. There’s a slight incline to the path near the end, but it’s doable for most power wheelchair and scooter-users. Golf cart assistance is available to anyone who needs it — just inquire at check in. And if you encounter any problems, just call the front desk.
Access features in Angels Rest include wide doorways, lever handles and plenty of room to maneuver a wheelchair or scooter. The main room is lined with windows that bring the outside in — you really feel like you are in a tree. It’s furnished with a 26-inch high king-sized bed with wheelchair access on both sides, two night tables, a refrigerator and a microwave. And there are two comfy chairs in front of the indoor-outdoor gas fireplace, and a vintage guitar tucked away in the corner. There’s also level access to the spacious deck through two double doors.
Deck outside the Angels Rest wheelchair-accessible treehouse suite
The bathroom is cavernous, and includes a full five-foot turning radius. It’s outfitted with a large roll-in shower with grab bars, a hand-held showerhead and a wooden shower bench. The toilet, which is located in an alcove around the corner, has grab bars on the back and left walls (as seated). Top it off with a large roll-under sink and a lowered mirror and you have a nicely outfitted and accessible suite.
Bathroom in the Angels Rest wheelchair-accessible treehouse suite
Those Little Extras
And then there are those little extras that are included in this luxurious wheelchair-accessible treehouse. For starters, there’s not just a coffee maker, but a Nespresso machine. Just pop in a pod for a perfectly brewed cup of expresso. Of course if you prefer tea or cocoa, they have that too.
And let’s talk about the robes. Many hotels provide guests with robes and slippers, but the treehouse robe was the softest and plushest one I’ve ever worn. Seriously, I didn’t want to take it off.
There were also some nice extras outside. Not only are there comfy chairs and a table on the deck, but there’s also a Yeti ice chest. And it’s filled with ice, so bring your favorite beverage and enjoy. And although the whole treehouse suite simply oozes romance, the deck is a particularly romantic retreat. There’s also a nice open meadow below the deck, where the deer like to hang out near the end of the day.
Last but certainly not least, there’s the gas firepit that’s located close to the treehouse. There’s level access to the firepit, which is reserved for treehouse guests. And you don’t have to worry about actually starting a fire — just push a button and you’re good to go. Of course you can just sit around the fire and enjoy the evening, or you can whip up some tasty s’mores. And in keeping with the “little extras included” theme, s’more kits are also included in the treehouse suites. Truly they thought of everything.
But Wait, There’s More
Of course the wheelchair-accessible treehouse is just the tip of the iceberg at Skaminia Lodge. Let’s not forget the public spaces. There’s plenty of accessible parking near the main lodge building with a barrier-free path over to the spacious lobby. On the far side of the registration desk there’s a large fireplace, with plenty of spots to sit and enjoy the warmth, and take in the view of the surrounding forest.
The Cascade Dining Room, which is located just down the hall, also offers good wheelchair access. Guests can enjoy eggs benedict for brunch and feast on a rack of lamb at dinner. Lighter fare and gluten-free selections are also available. But one of the best features of the dining room is the expansive view of the forest, with the Columbia River in the background.
If you’d prefer some lighter fare, there’s also barrier-free access to the River Rock Lounge, which is located just down the hall.
And if you’d like to go for a swim, then just take the elevator to the basement and check out the indoor swimming pool. Not only is there good access around the pool, but there’s also a wheelchair lift to get into it. And since it’s protected from the elements, you can enjoy the water year-round.
In the end, not only does Skamania Lodge have all the bells and whistles, but it’s also just a short drive from the Historic Columbia River Highway, where you’ll find scenic vistas, jaw-dropping views and cascading waterfalls. It’s the perfect spot for a romantic retreat. After all a segment of The Bachelorette was filmed there!
Barrier-Free Travel Washington National Parks for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
Located in California Gold Country, the Black Bear Inn (www.arnoldblackbearinn.com/) in Arnold makes the perfect home base for a wheelchair-accessible Calaveras County getaway. This five-bedroom lodge is surrounded by the forest, and offers a quiet, comfortable and accessible mountain retreat. From the massive ceiling beams and the welcoming fireplace in the great room, to a secluded patio in the pines, the Black Bear Inn has all the ingredients for a relaxing and refreshing mountain retreat. And if you’d like to explore the area, it’s just a short drive to Calaveras Big Trees State Park, the Sierra Nevada Logging Museum and some fabulous Murphys wineries.
The Calaveras Suite
The Black Bear inn offers accessible parking near the entrance with level access over to the front door. Inside there’s plenty of room to roll around the great room, and barrier-free access to the accessible Calaveras Suite at the end of the hall. Access features in the suite include wide doorways, lever handles, good pathway access and low-pile carpet for easy rolling..
The suite is furnished with a 32-inch high king-sized bed with wheelchair access on the left side (as you face it). Other furnishings include two chairs, a table, a chest of drawers and an armoire. There’s also a fireplace in the oversized room, and if you’d like to enjoy the outdoors, there’s plenty of room to roll-around on the private patio. Of course, if you’d prefer to partake of the creature comforts, there’s also Wi-Fi and a TV available.
The bathroom includes a full five-foot turning radius, and is outfitted with an extra large — six foot wide by 4 foot deep — roll in shower. Other access features include a hand held showerhead, shower grab bars and a pedestal sink. Top it off with toilet grab bars on the back and left walls (as seated), and you have a very accessible suite.
The Calaveras Suite at the Black Bear Inn in Arnold, California
Shower in the Calaveras Suite
Sink and Toilet in the Calaveras Suite
The Little Extras
Although the suites at the Black Bear Inn are certainly comfortable, it’s the little extras that set this Calaveras County property apart. First and foremost there’s breakfast. It’s a full sit down affair in the main dining room or on the back patio. Owner Bruce Davison graduated from Le Cordon Bleu Academy in Sacramento, and whatever he serves is a treat. That said, cross your fingers that his delicious Nut Crusted French Toast is in the rotation. Crispy on the outside and creamy on inside, it’s the perfect way to start the day.
And then there’s the afternoon wine and cheese spread. It’s served in the gathering room, the back patio or even on your own private patio. And it includes artisan cheese charcuterie items, crackers and fruit, and of course your choice of local wine.
And for a real treat, Bruce can prepare dinner for you and your party — up to 10 folks. For a more intimate affair it can even be served by candlelight. And if you have a larger gathering like a family reunion or a girlfriends getaway, it can be also served in the larger dining room or on the back patio. Bruce uses fresh local ingredients, and his barbeques are phenomenal; but whatever you choose you won’t go away hungry. It’s truly the perfect way to top off a weekend visit to the Black Bear Inn.
The gathering room at the Black Bear Inn
Dining Room at the Black Bear Inn
Barrier-Free Travel Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
