Before you begin your camping adventure, it’s pertinent to know that camping for people with disabilities is as inexpensive as accessible travel gets.  The National Parks system offers free entry and half-price camping, and many State Parks systems have followed suit with discounted annual or lifetime passes for entry as well.

In addition to discounts, the National and State Parks have wonderful access in general, with flatter, wider tent sites near the restrooms, paved or crushed-surface observation trails, and reliably accessible Visitors Centers at every location.  Some parks even offer raised tent beds.

Camping Discounts for People with Disabilities
The America the Beautiful Access Pass - This free and easy to obtain pass gets people with disabilities into every single US National Park and as mentioned, half- price camping within those parks. It must be obtained at any National Park in person, which is the National Park System’s way of ensuring that the system isn’t abused.

State Parks Discounts - Every US state has its own network of State Parks that is operated by the state, and therefore its discount system is state-by-state as well. Here are a few favorites, but if you search your state, “state parks” and “disability discount,” the link to your specific pass should pull up.  Many times these are for residents only, and usually require a doctor’s signature.
Alaska Parks Disability Pass     California Disability Pass    Colorado Columbine Pass
Ohio State Parks Discount      New Jersey Parks Disability Pass   Virginia Golden Disability Pass
West Virginia Recreational Discount Card

Adaptive Equipment for Camping: Tents, Stoves and Cots
As anyone with a disability knows, adaptive equipment is a pretty important topic for any sport adaptation, and camping is no exception!

Eureka’s Freedom Tent - If you haven’t heard of this fabulous tool, it is highly rated. The highlights include separate wheelchair storage and sleeping compartments, rear-entry window-doors, large pull tabs on the zippers, a sliding front door, and a great price tag. Don’t go camping without one.

Coleman Camping Stove - There are several camping stoves out there, from the small single-burner backpacking cookers to the expensive car camping grills.  However, Coleman’s fold-down two burner propane stove has proved to be ideal for cooking. It’s under $70 and you can get a cooker that is easy to carry, easy to light, and even easier to clean, with big knobs for lesser hand mobility.

Camping Cots Suited for Wheelchair Transfers - If you have trouble transferring from the ground to your wheelchair (or vice versa), make the mornings easier and the nights longer by sleeping on a cot off the ground. Ideally find a cot that has at least six (preferably 8) legs with pegged feet (not resting on a bar on the ground) so it is as sturdy as possible.

Do you have Knobby Tires on Your Wheelchair? - For those of you who live or play in the mountains, you know that knobby tires on your wheelchair help you navigate through mud, dirt, snow, and obstacles much easier than road tires do.  As most parks and campsites are surrounded by dirt, and the trails are often crushed materials, knobby tires make it much easier to get around.

Raised Tent Beds - Many campgrounds are starting to use raised tent beds, which are essentially a wooden deck-material platform about two feet off the ground that make it super easy to do a wheelchair transfer.  The best bet to find one near you is to contact the local park or adaptive program for locations.

Know that you have all your equipment and free passes, get out in the Great Outdoors!

See Related Articles
Check out GPS Technology Supports Adaptive Recreation in Our National Parks for information on a handy gadget to bring with you on your travels.

Discover other disability-accessible destinations, in Accessible National Parks: Camping Info for People with Disabilities.