The Able Traveler: Accessible Camping Made Easy

Summer is here and it's time to pack up the car and hit the road for that long anticipated family camping getaway. But what if someone in your group uses a wheelchair or a scooter? Can they still enjoy this classic family ritual? Gladly the answer is a resounding "yes", as more and more wheelchair-accessible camping options are available today than ever before.

A New Way to RV

RV camping offers folks the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors without sacrificing the comforts of home. The downside is that the initial investment can be sizable and setting up a standard rig can be difficult, especially if you have a physical disability. And although a lot of first-timers opt for a rental, wheelchair-accessible rental rigs are few and far between.

Enter Vacation Trailers 2U (tel. 877-392-2674; www.vacationtrailers2u.com), which offers a great solution to these access obstacles. Founded in 2009, this Santa Barbara-based company rents and delivers travel trailers, connects all the hook-ups and makes sure everything is ready to go. Plus, once you arrive at the campground, they show you how everything works.

And -- drum roll please -- they even offer a wheelchair-accessible rental rig. Built by Starship Custom Vehicles, this 28- foot travel trailer is furnished with two twin beds and includes a wheelchair lift, wide doorways, a roll-in shower, lowered counters, lowered furniture and push button appliances. It's the cat's meow as far as accessibility goes!

Currently Vacation Trailers 2U only serves Santa Barbara County, but they're hoping to expand to other parts of California soon.

Pitch Your Own Tent

If you're more of a purest, then check out the wheelchair-accessible Eureka Freedom Tent (www.eurekatent.com/p-69-eureka-freedom-tent.aspx). Developed by Blue Sky Designs, the tent sleeps two people with plenty of room for wheelchair storage in the enclosed vestibule. Additionally, the zipper-less front door allows people with dexterity issues easy access. You just scrunch the front door like a fan and it opens and closes easily.

And, because of the ergonomic design, it can be easily assembled by a wheelchair-user. All you have to do is slide a few poles through the back corner and then secure it with a few posts. Plus with a weight of just 16 pounds, it's not overly cumbersome, so it's easy to pack along.

Try Out a Yurt

Last but not least, if you'd prefer something between luxury camping and roughing it, then consider overnighting in a yurt. These permanent domed structures are available at many campgrounds across the US, and some are even wheelchair-accessible. Typically they have plywood floors, framed doors, electricity and beds. Most have grills for cooking and shared bathroom facilities in the campground, but some higher end yurts are completely self contained.

For example the wheelchair-accessible yurt at Oregon's Beachside State Recreation Site (www.oregonstateparks.org/park_122.php) sleeps five, has an outdoor cooking grill, with accessible community bathroom facilities nearby.

Likewise, the wheelchair-accessible yurt in Colorado's Golden Gate Canyon State Park (www.parks.state.co.us/parks/goldengatecanyon) is near the shower house, has ramp access, boasts a nice deck and is furnished with bunk beds and basic furniture.

And then there's the Kelly's Island wheelchair-accessible yurt in Lake Erie Islands State Park (www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/parks/lakeerie/tabid/753/Default.aspx). This top-end yurt sleeps six, has running water, a full kitchen and even a roll-in shower. Add in the million dollar view of Lake Erie from the very spacious deck, and you've got all the makings for a very comfortable and accessible camping experience. And at $100 per night, it's also a very affordable family vacation option.

One word of advice though; plan ahead, as accessible yurts are very popular. Be sure to make your reservations early, so you won't be left out in the cold!

Candy Harrington is the editor of Emerging Horizons and the author of 101 Accessible Vacations: Travel Ideas for Wheelers and Slow Walkers. She blogs regularly about accessible travel issues at www.barrierfreetravels.com.