Periodically, I hear about some really unique places that are not only handicapped accessible, but set up and geared directly towards people with disabilities. Also, I hear of locations that people with disabilities find to be very accessible and enjoyable. If you get an opportunity, please visit these places. And as always, please let me know at places@afarcry.info if you would like to add something to the list.
Access 2 Africa Safaris - South Africa
Clam Dam County Park- Siren, WI
Crex Meadows Wildlife Area - Grantsburg, WI
Golden Access Passport - all US National Parks
Ironwood Springs Christian Camp - Stewartville, MN
Options Outdoors-Grand Forks, Minnesota
Pine Forest Lodge - Mercer, Wisconsin
Pine Grove Lodge - Bingham, Maine
Sunset Pines Resort - Willard, Wisconsin
Veterans on the Lake - Ely, Minnesota
Wilderness Discovery Family Resort & Conference Centre - Ontario, Canada
Wilderness Inquiry
You will be able to relax and know that you will be given our personalised attention which is born of our own experiences and excellent understanding of the needs of mobility impaired. We also have personally experienced the various venues and we will ensure that your tour is to the most suitable, responsible and safe venues and also those that have optimal interest and excitement. All venues are especially selected for their suitability. Most of all however, we know that all mobility impaired persons are very special people and it will be our pleasure to host you and ensure that your visit to South Africa is a amazing and never to be forgotten experience!
http://www.access2africasafaris.co.za/
Clam Dam County Park- Siren, WI
This park has been around for a long time but when we went there to fish this summer I was pleased to see a couple of "accessible fishing platforms" One of them worked out great for my wheel chair and that one is pictured below. The other one looked similiar but I couldn't get close to it because there were steps going to it. Apparently that one isn't for wheelchairs.
http://www.burnettcounty.com/index.aspx?NID=677
Crex Meadows Wildlife Area - Grantsburg, WI
Crex Meadows Wildlife Area features over 30,000 acres of wetlands, brush prairies, and forests, managed to enhance wildlife habitat. Over 270 birds species including Trumpeter Swans, Sandhill Cranes, Sharptailed Grouse and almost every Wisconsin mammal including wolves, otters, fishers, black bears, and bobcats call Crex home. Close encounters with wildlife are frequent due to an extensive 40-mile road system. Handicapped accessible hiking trails include a 540 foot circular trail through Abel Prairie and a 780 foot paved trail from the Education and Visitors Center to a bridge over Dragonfly Pond. Crex also features two handicapped accessible hunting trails. These drive-in trails allow hunting from the car window.
The National Parks Service offers the Golden Access Passport which is a free, lifetime admission pass issued to U.S. citizens or persons who permanently reside (are domiciled) in the United States, regardless of age, and who have a medical determination and documentation of blindness or permanent disability. The pass is valid at National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Corps of Engineers, Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service, and Tennessee Valley Authority sites with admission fees.
The Golden Access Passport admits the pass owner and accompanying passengers in a private vehicle. At parks that charge individual fees, the pass admits the pass owner, spouse, parents, and children. At parks that charge individual fees, the pass admits the pass owner, spouse, parents, and children. The pass also entitles other persons accompanying the owner, such as a care assistant.
The Golden Access Passport also provides a 50% discount on federal use fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, parking, boat launching, and specialized interpretive services. In some cases where use fees are charged, only the pass owner will be given the 50% price reduction. The Passport is nontransferable and does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessioners.
Golden Access Passports may be obtained only in person and upon proof of eligibility. A complete listing of available parks can be found at http://www.nps.gov/parks.html
Ironwood Springs Christian Camp
Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch is a Christian Camp in Southern Minnesota serving over 22,000 people per year. Our purpose is to provide an atmosphere and opportunity for adults and children to get to know themselves, others and God better. We strive to do this through our lives, words, and activities by conducting ourselves in a manner pleasing to God. You will be impressed by the progress on the 27-room Miracle Lodge. This is an awesome, totally accessible facility that is available for our 22ND Wheelchair Sports Camp.
Options Outdoors-Grand Forks, Minnesota
Optionsoutdoors is a Site dedicated to helping people with disabilities to
access accessible outdoor elements including locations for Nature Watching,
Hiking, Deer Hunting, Waterfowl Hunting, and Fishing. Each of the sites listed
were reviewed with accessibility and use in mind in order to give the individual
reader an idea on whether it will be usable based on their disability.
http://www.optionsoutdoors.org/
On beautiful Spider Lake in the true Northwoods of Wisconsin near Mercer, Wisconsin.
John has been working very hard to make the entire resort wheelchair accessible. Four of the year 'round cabins are now wheelchair accessible; Aspen, Alder, Ironwood II and Maple.
Adaptive toys such as sit water skis and hand crank bikes can be arranged with enough notice. They offer wheelchair basketball and badminton, and sea kayaking, sailing and canoeing with our adaptable equipment. A pontoon boat is an easy way to enjoy the lake.
The main lodge and three docks are accessible. There is a gentle sloping terrain to the water with relatively flat areas for a bonfire, swimming, picnicing, and outdoor games. Please call for more details.
They also host events at the resort where all or part of the resort is dedicated to an activity geared to people with disabilities and family/friends. Family Camps and Resort Weekends offer the wide range of activities available in the Pine Forest Lodge. An ATV Rally and a Kayak Week are geared to specific activities.
http://www.pineforestlodge.com/index.htm
Pine Grove Lodge (Bingham, Maine)
Pine Grove Lodge, a classic Maine sporting camp, provides free outdoor adventures for American Veterans, 9/11 responders, and victims of other tragedies, suffering with physical or emotional disablilities! There are many adventures the guests can choose from, and they are given a weeks lodging and meals for themselves and their family, with 2 days of guided activities! Pine Grove Program is a licensed 501 (c) (3) and all donations are used to help offset the costs and make handicapped accessible improvements.
http://www.pinegrovelodge.com/
For The Disabled And Able Vacationer! SunSet Pines is a fully accessible year-round resort, nestled in the rural Wisconsin farm countryside. They host the largest disabled gun/deer hunt in the nation during the first week of October. The 4.5 acre lake on the resort is stocked with bass, walleye and hybrid bluegills. All fishing is accessible by wheelchair and the 40 acres of woods connected with the property has about a mile of surfaced roads through it with 3 different hunting blinds. They also have a pontoon docked on Mead Lake that is one mile away and rentable.
Veterans on the Lake in Ely, Minnesota
Veterans on the Lake Resort, a not-for-profit organization located in Ely, Minnesota will provide a barrier-free setting for a memorable outdoor recreation experience for disabled veterans, veterans, their families, friends and supporters; designed "With Veterans in Mind" while recognizing what they have contributed to and sacrificed for our nation.
http://www.veteransonthelakeresort.org/
If you have a disability and you want to go on a trip where disability is not the focus, you’ve come to the right place. Since 1978 WI has conducted integrated wilderness trips involving people with disabilities as well as people who do not have disabilities—as equals and peers. Our mission is to provide real outdoor adventures for everyone.
Wilderness Inquiry (WI) is a non-profit organization that helps people from all walks of life to personally experience the natural world. We believe there is nothing like being there to fully appreciate the environment and the people we share it with. Each year we operate more than 100 multi-day trips to locations around the world. In addition to these trips, we offer a variety of daylong programs, training sessions and other events.
https://www.wildernessinquiry.org/