Driving along Prison Road the sight of the massive granite walls of Folsom State Prison are unmistakable, as you approach the nation’s first maximum-security prison. Interestingly enough, the granite for the walls was quarried by the prisoners, and the imposing structure was later built by inmates back in the early 1900s. That’s just one of the fun facts you’ll learn on a visit to the Folsom Prison Museum (www.bighouseprisonmuseum.org).
To be honest, visiting the museum is a tad bit intimidating, as it’s located just inside the prison grounds. That said, I timidly approached the guard after following the “museum” signs that led to the prison entrance, and hesitantly stammered, “I’m looking for the museum”. I heaved a giant sigh of relief when the guard cracked a smile and enthusiastically directed me to the museum entrance, located just beyond the checkpoint.
Accessible parking is located across the street from the checkpoint, and there’s a level pathway over to the ramped museum. Inside, quarters are a bit tight in the historic structure, however there’s still room enough to maneuver a wheelchair around the exhibits. The tiny restroom is not accessible — so plan ahead — and there’s about a half-inch step down to the Johnny Cash room, but again it’s all quite manageable.
The Folsom Prison Museum
Folsom Prison Museum
Operated by retired correctional officers, the museum features an impressive collection of weapons, shackles and confiscated items. Highlights include a hand-crank Gatling gun, a substantial number of inmate-crafted firearms, and even a homemade bomb. Add in some old gas masks, an operating table and Rick James’ guitar, and you have a very eclectic collection. There’s also a sizable display of things made from everyday items by the inmates, including a purse made from potato chip bags, a Ferris wheel crafted from a quarter-million toothpicks, a hangman’s noose made from toilet tissue and a number of creative soap bar carvings. A large collection of California license plates also adorn one wall in this room, just to remind folks where they are all manufactured today.
There’s also a room devoted to Johnny Cash, who visited the prison and recorded a live album there in 1968. There’s a load of photographs of Cash and his wife at the prison, along with his own “gag” mug shot and even some stationary from the Sacramento hotel where he stayed. It’s definitely a must-see for any Cash fan.
Granted this small museum doesn’t warrant a dedicated trip to Folsom; however if you’re heading to South Lake Tahoe on Highway 50, it’s definitely worth a stop. Just take the Folsom Boulevard exit, turn left and then make a right on Natoma Street. From there turn left on Prison Road which dead-ends in the visitor parking lot. And when you’re back on your way to Lake Tahoe, take note of the granite mileage markers along the road, as those were also crafted by Folsom Prison inmates.
Barrier-Free Travel Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
Although there aren’t any hotels inside Denali National Park, several wheelchair-accessible Denali lodging choices are located nearby. And if you’d like to forego the creature comforts of a traditional lodge and sleep under the stars, you can also pitch your own tent inside the park. To that end, here are some of the top wheelchair-accessible Denali lodging choices.
Lobby at the Denali Princess WildernessLodge
Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge
www.princesslodges.com/princess-alaska-lodges/denali-lodge/
Located just a mile north of the park entrance on the George Parks Highway, the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge is a convenient and accessible choice. Accessible parking is located near the main lodge, with level access over to the entrance. Inside, there’s barrier-free access to the comfortable seating area around the fireplace, and level access over to the front desk. There’s also elevator access to the downstairs public area, where River Run Espresso is located.
This massive property features 656 guest rooms, which are located in separate buildings dotted throughout the wooded complex. That said, nothing is too far away, as an accessible on-property shuttle is available to all guests.
The newest accessible rooms are located in the B building. Room 206 features wide doorways and good pathway access; and is furnished with a 28-inch high king-sized bed with wheelchair access on both sides. It also includes a 13-inch high sleeper sofa and a desk with a chair. The large bathroom is outfitted with a roll-in shower with a fold-down shower bench, grab bars and a hand-held showerhead. Other access features include a roll-under sink and toilet grab bars on the back and left walls (as seated). Room 204, which is located next door, includes the same access features, but the toilet grab bars are located on the back and right walls (as seated).
Room 206 at the Denali Princess Lodge
The Great Room, which features level access, offers coffee and pastries in the morning. There’s also barrier-free access to the adjacent deck, which is a perfect place to sit back and enjoy the view. There’s good wheelchair-access to all the dining venues, including the King Salmon Dining Room, the Grizzly Bar & Grill and Lynx Creek Pizza and Pub. And when you’re ready to visit the park, a wheelchair-accessible shuttle is available.
Next up on the list of wheelchair-accessible Denali lodging options is Denali Park Village. Located just six miles south of the park, the property features accessible parking with barrier-free access over to the entrance. Inside, there’s good pathway access to the front desk, the Lucky Miss Saloon, the Gold Rush Dining Room and the gift shop.
This 338-room property features spacious accessible rooms housed in buildings throughout the wooded campus. And although some of the offerings are a good hike from the main lodge, an accessible on-site shuttle bus is also available. The 700 building, which is located near the main lodge, offers a number of wheelchair-accessible rooms, and it’s the only building with elevator access,
Room 706 features wide doorways and good pathway access. It’s furnished with a 25-inch high queen-sized bed with wheelchair access on both sides. Additionally, there’s a small roll-under sink in the main room area. The room also has a small deck area that overlooks the river, and although there is a one-inch lip out to it, it’s doable for most people.
The bathroom features a full five-foot turning radius and is outfitted with a roll-in shower with a fold-down shower bench, grab bars and a hand-held showerhead. There’s also a larger roll-under sink in the bathroom, and the toilet grab bars are located on the back and left walls (as seated). And if you need toilet grab bars on the other side, room 712 is a mirror image of room 706.
Bathroom in room 706
A portable shower chair is available for any room upon request, and refrigerated medicine can be stored at the front desk. Wheelchair-accessible shuttle service to and from Denali National Park is also available upon request
If you prefer a smaller family owner wheelchair-accessible Denali lodging option, then look no further than the Denali Grizzly Bear Resort, which is just across the street from Denali Park Village. There’s ramped access up to the front office and barrier-free access over to the front desk. Opened as a campground in 1968, today this property boasts a hotel and cabins, along with the campsites. And although the resort has grown, there’s still an emphasis on friendly individualized service there.
Room B4 is located in the Cedar Hotels, which is a short drive from the office. Parking is available in a level dirt area across from the room, and there’s ramp access up to the front door. The cavernous room includes wide doorways and room enough for even the largest wheelchair or scooter to wheel around with ease.
Room A4 at the Grizzly Bear Resort
Furnishings include two 24-inch high double beds with an access aisle between them, a chest of drawers and an easy chair. This room also features an expansive river view from the private deck. The bathroom has a full five-foot turning radius and includes a roll-in shower with a padded fold-down shower bench, a hand-held showerhead and grab bars. Add in a roll-under sink and toilet grab bars on the back and left walls (as seated), and you have a very accessible room.
Bathroom in room A4 at the Grizzly Bear Resort
Again, the emphasis is on personal service at the Denali Grizzly Bear Resort. A portable shower chair is available for any room upon request, and there’s also a loaner wheelchair in the office. And if you’d like a few suggestions about things to do in the area, don’t be afraid to hit up the manager. Not only is he a life-long local resident, but as he’s intimately familiar with the wheelchair-accessibility of businesses and attractions nearby.
Finally, if you’d prefer to camp out and enjoy the great outdoors, then the Riley Creek Campground, which is located near the park entrance, is the perfect choice. Although the campground is open year-round, the restrooms and showers are only open in the summer, so realistically it’s only a seasonal option.
That said, it’s a beautiful — and very quiet — campground, which features a number of accessible campsites with raised tent platforms, accessible picnic tables and grills. Some campsites can also accommodate a RV. Reservations can be made online; and as an added bonus, folks with an America the Beautiful Access Pass or a Senior Pass get 50% off of all camping fees.
Riley Creek Campground is located next to the Mercantile, which offers level access and carries a good variety of groceries, sundries and camping supplies. But by far one of the best features of the campground — the heated shower house— is located next to the Mercantile.
There’s level access to both the men’s and the women’s side of the shower house. Both sides are outfitted with a large accessible toilet stall with grab bars, and a larger shower with a fold-down bench. Although there is a one-inch lip on the accessible shower, most folks will be able to transfer directly to the fold-down shower bench.
Riley Creek Campground is also located between two shuttle bus stops, and all of the park shuttles are wheelchair-accessible. In the end, no matter what lodging choice you make, plan to stay at lest two or three nights to enjoy all that the park has to offer. And remember to make your reservations early, as these wheelchair-accessible Denali lodging choices fill up fast.
Barrier-Free Travel National Park Lodges for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
Located about 1.5 miles from the entrance to Red Canyon along Scenic Highway 12, Red Canyon Village (www.redcanyonvillage.com) makes a great home base for a Utah national park road trip. It’s just a 20 minute drive to Bryce Canyon National Park so you don’t have to get a 4 AM start to beat the rush. Plus, you can easily wander over to Red Canyon to enjoy the sunset at the end of the day. And since it’s a small complex with some RV spaces and cabins, Red Canyon village is a peaceful and secluded spot to spend the night. Even better — they also have a nice wheelchair-accessible log cabin.
Red Canyon Village
Although there’s a small step up to the front office in Red Canyon Village, just call (435) 676-2243 and the clerk will gladly bring out your key. Log Cabin 12 — the accessible unit — is located a short walk from the office. And although there aren’t any paved parking spaces in the complex, there’s plenty of room to park parallel next to the accessible cabin.
There’s level access to the cabin, which boasts open beams and a wood interior. Access features include wide doorways, laminate floors, lever handles, a lowered clothing rod and good pathway access. The main room is divided into two areas; with the bedroom and living area on one side and a small kitchenette on the other side.
Living area in Cabin 12 at Red Canyon Village
The living area is furnished with a 26-inch high open-frame king-sized bed, which can be moved to allow wheelchair access on either side. Other furnishings include, a nightstand, a mirror, a luggage rack and a loveseat. The kitchenette is furnished with a table, two chairs, a microwave, a refrigerator and a coffee maker. It has everything you need for a snack, a quick meal, or a morning coffee break.
Kitchenette in Cabin 12 at Red Canyon Village
There’s barrier-free access to the bathroom, which is equipped with a roll-in shower with grab bars, a hand-held showerhead and a portable shower bench. It also includes a roll-under sink, and a toilet with a grab bar on the left wall (as seated).
Bathroom in Cabin 12 at Red Canyon Village
Top things off with a roomy paved front porch with plenty of room for a wheelchair, and you’re good to go. There’s also a standard picnic table on a cement pad next to the porch, with room for a wheelchair on the end. And if you forget anything, there’s level access to the The Red Canyon Indian Store and Rock Shop next door.
Barrier-Free Travel
Utah National Parks for Wheelchair-users and Slow Walkers
Located in Southwestern Utah, Zion National Park was the Beehive State’s first national park. Although a good percentage of the park is designated as wilderness, there are many developed areas which can be visited with a minimal effort. At the top of the list is Zion Canyon, a 15-mile drive bordered by spectacular sandstone cliffs. Over on the west side of the park, Kolob Canyons offers a more bucolic view of the Colorado Plateau; while the eastern Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway connects Zion with Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon. No matter where you look, there’s no shortage of breathtaking scenery in this national park.
Insider Tips
Don’t miss the free Ride with a Ranger Tours that are offered twice daily on the park shuttle buses. These two-hour narrated tours include several stops along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Advance reservations are required, and they can be made up to three days in advance. And the good news is, all park shuttle buses are lift-equipped, so everyone can enjoy these tours.
If you want to dodge the crowds, then explore the five-mile long Kolob Canyons Scenic Byway, located in the northwestern corner of the park. This scenic route climbs 1,000 feet in elevation and offers great views of the red Navajo sandstone canyon walls along the way. There are a number of paved pullouts on the route, and although none of them are striped, they are strategically placed so you can get good windshield views.
For a very accessible place to rest your head, consider staying in cabin 529 at Zion Lodge. This historic cabin dates back to the 1920s, and it includes a queen-sized bed and a bathroom with a roll-in shower. As an added bonus, this lodge is one of the most scenic national park properties around, as it’s surrounded by Zion Canyon.
Located about three hours northeast of Sacramento, Lassen Volcanic National Park offers visitors a diverse landscape dotted with active geothermal features. Dominated by Mount Lassen which erupted in 1915, the park boasts an impressive collection of steam vents, mudpots and boiling springs, many of which are readily accessible. Add in wildflower-filled meadows, pristine mountain lakes, and the ruins of the last eruption and you have a park that truly stimulates all of the senses.
Insider Tips
Sulphur Works, which is one of the most active geothermal areas in the park, is a must-see for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. There’s accessible parking in the paved lot, with barrier-free access to a level sidewalk that leads past mudpots, steam vents and boiling springs. The crosswalk has curb-cut access, so wheelchair-users can enjoy the geothermal features on both sides of the street. All in all it’s a quarter-mile out-and-back jaunt; and although other areas of the park boast these geothermal features, this is the only accessible option.
One of the most accessible trails in the park is located in the Devastated Area, about 10 miles south of the Loomis Museum. The hard-packed dirt trail leads past the area devastated by the 1915 eruption of Mount Lassen. Interpretive plaques with audio descriptions are located along the trail, and signs of the eruption and the subsequent rebirth of the forest are evident along this easy half-mile loop. Additionally there are a few accessible picnic tables located near the trailhead, so it also makes for a nice lunch stop.
Spend the night on the shore of Manzanita Lake in one of four accessible camping cabins. All of the accessible cabins have parking in a level area with ramp access up to the front porch. They include level thresholds, wide doorways and adequate pathway access. The one-room cabins are furnished with a 19-inch high double bed, while the two room cabins include a 19-inch high double bed and three single beds. They all include a dining table with chairs, and a propane heater. Each cabin has a locking door, screened windows and a bare wood floor. Add in an accessible picnic table and a fire ring and you have everything you need to rough it in style.
Located east of the Salinas Valley between Hollister and King City, Pinnacles is California’s newest national park. Formed by an ancient volcanic eruption, the extruded magma was further sculpted over time by the wind and rain. Today these pinnacle-like geological features seem to magically rise out of the chaparral-covered ground. A healthy chunk of backcountry occupies the center section of the park, and serves as a divider between the more developed east and west sections. Wildlife – including everything from the common black-tailed dear to the endangered California condor – thrives in this rural location. And you just can’t beat the night skies, as the park is located miles away from the light pollution of the metropolitan cities.
Insider Tips
Pinnacles National Park is a prime site to spot some of the still endangered California condors. One location they seem to favor is the ridge just southeast of the campground. The best times to look for them are in the early mornings and late afternoons when they like to catch the thermals, or in the evenings when they come in to roost in the trees. And if you’d like a closer look at them, there’s an accessible viewing scope just across the street from the East Pinnacles Visitor Center.
The longest accessible trail in the park — the Prewitt Point Trail — is located on the West Side. This one-mile loop begins off the patio of the West Pinnacles Visitor Contact Station, and winds along the hillside and offers excellent mountain views. There’s about a 70-foot elevation gain along the way, with level spots to rest after each uphill stint. This hard-packed dirt trail passes the trailhead to the Jawbone Trail, then continues on to the Pinnacles Overlook, before it winds back down to the start. It’s best to take this trail in the morning though, as there’s precious little shade along the way.
Pinnacles Campground boasts 10 accessible tent cabins in loop B. They all have a ramped entry, as well as steps up to the wide front door. There’s level access over the thresholds and all of the tent cabins include two singles and a queen-sized bed, with ample room to maneuver a wheelchair inside. The solar powered units also include a fan and a light. Outside there are two Adirondack chairs, an accessible picnic table, a grill and a bear box at each site. And although the cabins contain beds with mattresses, guests must provide their own bedding.
Located on the main drag of the Gold Rush town of Murphys, the Victoria Inn (www.victoriainn-murphys.com/) fits right in with the vintage buildings that line the thoroughfare. And aside from the allure of its decidedly old world ambiance, it also makes a great home base for exploring the area. Not only is the property located within walking distance of many favorite restaurants and tasting rooms, but it’s also just a short hop off of Highway 4, which connects to other Calaveras County must-sees. And although the Victorian Era wasn’t exactly know for its stellar wheelchair access, this namesake property does a nice job accommodating the needs of wheelchair-users and slow walkers.
Finding the Property
Admittedly, finding this property can be a challenge if you are unfamiliar with the area, and are relying on GPS. Granted GPS will technically take you to the front door; however you can’t exactly see the front door from Main Street. The Victoria Inn is located across the street from Murphys Mall, between Murphys Village Toy Store and Shirt Tales Boutique; however the approach to the parking lot is marked “no outlet” and it looks like a private driveway.
Nonetheless, that is the correct spot to turn. If you miss it, then turn on Church Street, go around the block and try again. The small parking lot includes one accessible space that’s usually open, and from there it’s just a short walk to the registration area. There’s no guaranteed public parking with a room reservation, so try and grab the accessible parking space as soon as you can. There’s also some public parking in the lot on Church Street, but if you choose that option, try and drop off any wheelchair-users or slow walkers first.
Spend the Night
Entry to room 15 at the Victoria Inn
There’s ramp access up to the main building of the Victoria inn, and level access through the front door to the registration desk. There’s also barrier-free access to a large room off the front lobby which is furnished with sofas and chairs and has all the essentials for a relaxing stay. There are cookies, water, ice, board games, coffee, cocoa, a microwave and of course the requisite wine glasses available for guest use.
Room 15 (also called Mae’s Room) is located in a small cottage around the corner. Although the accessible parking spot is near the registration desk, there’s paved standard parking in front of the cottage that may be more convenient for guests. There’s ramp access up to the front door, and level access to the room. Access features include wide doorways, lever handles and adequate pathway access.
Inside room 15 at the Victoria Inn
The room is furnished with a 24-inch high queen-sized bed with wheelchair access on the left (as you face it), a chest of drawers and two end tables. The bathroom has a full five-foot turning radius, a tile floor and a pedestal sink. The 36-inch-square transfer-type shower has a slight half-inch lip, and is equipped with a fold-down shower seat (with easy transfer access from the bathroom), and a hand-held showerhead. There’s also a portable shower bench, if needed, The toilet grab bars are located on the back and left walls (as seated).
Sink in room 15
Shower in room 15
toilet in room 15
There’s also a small front porch with two chairs and a table, which can be moved to accommodate a wheelchair. The porch is surrounded by trees and it’s a nice place to enjoy a glass of wine after a long day of sightseeing. It’s a very relaxing and accessible Calaveras County lodging pick.
Barrier-Free Travel National Park Lodges for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
