Exercise and fresh air: they renew your spirit and benefit your body, no matter what your physical condition. Hiking need not be an exclusionary pursuit, one in which those who are unable to walk under their own power are left behind. The park has several wheelchair accessible hiking trails, meaning it can be enjoyed by anyone! Here are some great all access hiking destinations in the US to get out and explore!
1. Lake Mineral Wells State Trailway – Texas
An ADA accessible 20-mile trail that connects the cities of Mineral Wells and Weatherford. The trail follows an abandoned rail line, featuring ADA compliant restroom stops and campgrounds. This park is home to a wide variety of plants and animals. There are four trailheads, and numerous scenic bridges.
2. Burritt on the Mountain – Alabama
Located in Huntsville, Burritt is one of the first accessible nature trails in the US and has won numerous awards. The park features nature trails, concerts, and is staffed by reenactors in period costume. On the mountaintop sits Burritt Mansion which has been retrofitted with wheelchair ramps.
3. Oregon Redwoods Trail – Oregon
A spectacular natural site filled with wildlife and rushing rivers, the Oregon Redwoods Trail has plenty of wilderness for everyone to enjoy. A crushed aggregate pathway meanders through a grove of the only coastal redwoods to be found in the Pacific Northwest.
4. Mid-Peninsula Regions Open Space District – California
This is not just one park, but a string of several nature preserves that are wheelchair friendly. The Skyline Ridge, for example, is a bird watching hot spot, with two ponds and smooth trails. Purisima Creek features the Redwood Trail, a quarter-mile trail through these soaring namesake trees, and the Creek Trail, an old logging road that follows the flowing path of Purisima Creek and crosses several bridges.
5. Hocking Hills State Park – Ohio
With its towering sandstone cliffs, caves, and cascading waterfalls, Hocking Hills should be on everyone’s must-hike list. This park features accessible nature trails to Ash Cave and even has an outdoor wheelchair accessible swimming pool.
Related articles: Top 20 Fall Hiking Destinations in the U.S., 3 Most Challenging Hiking Trails in North America, 5 Remote Outdoor Locations to Visit in North America
Featured Image from Taylor Noble/Unsplash
