Tags
ADA, arthritis, campground, camping, crutches, cuyamaca rancho state park, disabled, handicap, hiking, outdoors, wheel chair
Anyone can be a camper
My reader, Roxanne, reached out to me asking about information on handicap camping. Its funny because I do know about! I am a veteran to knee surgeries- I have 8 under my belt- and I have gone camping on crutches! Its not easy but it is do-able! Whether you are in a wheel chair, on crutches, or have arthritis, you can still camp! Here are some quick tips on camping for anyone who is disabled:
- Go to a campground- you can get all the amenities you need easily.
- Camp at a campground with handicap access. These are specially marked spots that can only be reserved by someone with a handicap placard or license plate. These tend to be flatter grounds for wheel chair access.
- Make sure the campground has ADA accessible bathrooms and showers. If they have handicap spots, they usually have restrooms and showers as well.
- Check out the campground or call to see if they have easily accessible dining area/ picnic table.
- Get a big tent, like a family tent, so you don’t have to crouch over. That is a huge advantage for someone with weak knees!
- If you have trouble getting up and down from your sleeping bag, try a cot. They add a lot of room to your gear but its worth it!
We go camping at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park in East San Diego and they have handicap access. I read Yosemite has handicap spots, however, non-disabled persons can reserve the spots so… not sure how that works? I found a site called Handicapped Travel Club that list parks and what kind of access they have. If anyone has any other tips, please feel free to share!
Happy Camping!!
Girly Camping® 
Great post! I can add that most state parks in Michigan are ADA accessible, as are many of our state forest campgrounds, even if they are not labeled as such.
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Awesome! Thanks for the tip!
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How thoughtful of you to post this! I’m sure there are many more out there who would find this useful and might give them that nudge to get out there and try it 🙂
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Thank you for the information. I think a cot is definately the way for me to go! Never thought about a bigger/taller tent but it makes sense.
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of course! Thanks for bringing the topic to my attention 🙂
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This is good information for everyone to have… just in case. I think most state and national parks in CA have to have handicap accessible amenities and campsites available. So, it shouldn’t be too much of a problem to find. Researching before you head out is definitely a smart move – don’t want to spend x number of hours in a car only to find out the spots they have are already taken. Happy camping!
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I camp a lot, but in recent years I’ve been taking my best friend who has MS. She has to use a walker, so she needs a flat campsite, easy access to the restroom, and a tent she can walk into without having to bend or get on her knees. We cruise the campgrounds until we find a site that fits our needs. And I have a lovely big Springbar tent that allows my friend to walk in with only a slight head duck (she’s 6 feet tall).
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