ABCs of Accessible Trails The makers of Grit Freedom Chair have a series 17 posts about their favorite wheelchair accessible trails throughout the United States. This link is to the last of these pages, since from there, you can link to each of their other posts. Not a lot of details, but beautiful photographs.
Author: Cecilia
Crex Meadows Wildlife Area
Crex Meadows Wildlife Area
“Crex Meadows Wildlife Area is a 30,000-acre property of wetlands, brush prairies, and forests scattered across a gently rolling landscape.”
Here is the Area website. Phone 715-463-2896 Brochure and Map Some trail descriptions by Rob Bignell
“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.” This is quoted from Wilderness Inquiry’s Accessible Places page.
Horicon National Wildlife Refuge
Horicon National Wildlife Refuge
“At over 33,000 acres in size, Horicon Marsh is one of the largest freshwater marshes in the United States. Recognized as a Wetland of International Importance, as both Globally and State Important Bird Areas and a unit of the Ice Age Scientific Reserve, the marsh provides critical habitat for over 300 species of birds as well as muskrats, red foxes, turtles, frogs, bats, dragonflies, fish and much more.”
Here is the Refuge website. Phone 920-387-2658 Hiking Trails Map & Brochure
Horicon Habitat Hike “This trail is … marked with interpretive signs to introduce visitors to a variety of habitats and common wildlife of the area. A total of 26 signs introduce visitors to woodland, wetland and grassland habitats and their management. This trail offers easy walking and is surfaced with wood chips, mowed grass and gravel.”
Boardwalk is 0.25 miles and accessible.
There are several other short loop hikes: Quick’s Point Loop – 1.9 miles, Indermuehle Island Loop – 0.8 miles, and Bachhuber Loop – 2.3 miles “Trails are all of easy grade, and relatively flat but are unsurfaced . Surface material is mowed grass and gravel and is not readily accessible by wheelchair or stroller.”
Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge
Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge
The 6,446-acre Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge lies along the eastern edge of the Mississippi River. “It is an isolated backwater, cut off from the Mississippi and Trempealeau rivers by dikes. It is a resting and feeding area for waterfowl and other birds.”
Here is the Refuge website. Phone 608-539-2311 Map
4.5-mile self-guided Prairie’s Edge Tour Loop which is accessible by bikes, pedestrians and vehicles.
? There are two other short interpretive hiking trails. Call first to be sure they are suitable for your abilities.
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest covers more than 1.5 million acres of Wisconsin’s northwoods, forest landscapes and abundant wetlands”…northern hardwood, pine, and hemlock forests where some trees are over 400 years old. You can stop off to wade in Butternut Lake or contemplate a beautiful lake vista from a bench under huge hemlock trees. The boardwalk across the bog offers a chance to see many varieties of bog plants up close.”
Here is the Forest website. Phone 715-362-1300
Note that the “easy” trails listed below may have obstacles for you. Be sure to call the Ranger District for more information. Links to Maps
Eagle Lake-Franklin District Phone 715-479-2827
Franklin Nature Trail 1 mile, easy, mostly flat dirt path with “occasional” rocks and roots. It includes a 400′ long boardwalk through a tamarack bog. Trail Guide Trail Map
Assessor’s Interpretive Trail 1 mile “deep woods experience”
Luna – White Deer Trail 4 miles along the shorelines of Luna and White Deer Lakes
Perch Lake Trail 1.33 mile around Perch Lake.
Scott Lake Trail 0.5 mile through a “towering stand of white pines and hemlocks about 300 years old and follows the wetland around Scott Lake. ”
Spectacle – Kentuck Lake Trail 2.5 miles one way
Great Divide Ranger District Phone 715-264-2511 or 715-634-4821
? Forest Lodge Nature Trail 3.5 mile interpretive trail. “…about 4 feet wide in the field but narrows to about 2 feet wide and has a somewhat rough tread in the woods.”
Morgan Falls Trail 1.2 miles round trip This trail was reconstructed in 2002 to make it accessible, but it is currently closed due to storm damage.
Lakewood-Laona Ranger District Phone 715-276-6333
Halley Creek Bird Trail 1 mile birding trail through four habitats.
Medford – Park Falls District Phone 715-748-4875 or 715-762-2461
Aldo Leopold Trail 1.2 mile “…self-guided, non-motorized nature trail, located along an esker near the Mondeaux Dam Lodge, helps to outline Aldo Leopold’s conservation ethics and his legacy. ”
Newman Springs Trail 7 miles “…non-motorized trails, with a variety of vegetation types and water with two spring ponds and two creek crossings. …..Hiking is pretty easy in that much of the hikeable trail follows old logging roads.”
? Drummond Woods Trail 0.75 mile. “The trail is relatively flat and easy to hike. The trail traverses through a northern hardwood forest and is a wonderful short hike for those who wish to see fall colors but don’t want to go a long distance.”
City of Virginia Beach
City of Virginia Beach
“Virginia Beach is home to 293 parks and park facilities, encompassing over 7,000 acres, including neighborhood and community parks, metro parks, signature parks, natural areas, waterway accesses, trail linkages, open space preservation areas and park athletic facilities.”
Here is the website for Virginia Beach Parks and Natural areas. Phone 757-385-0400 Trails Map
West Creek Natural Area “This natural area has been kept in its natural state with the exception of a series of shared use trails that total approximately 2.5 miles of soft path and .3 miles of paved ADA compliant trails. The trail system borders West Neck Road to the west and Princess Anne Road to the north.”
Cranesville Swamp Preserve
Cranesville Swamp Preserve
The Cranesville Swamp Preserve lies in Preston County West Virginia and Garrett County, Maryland. It is a 1,774 acre boreal bog which is a remnant of the Ice Age. There are many plants and animals not usually found this far south in North America. There are five trails, including a 1,500 foot boardwalk. I haven’t found any information as to whether you could get on the boardwalk in a wheelchair. Here are the websites for Maryland/District of Columbia and for West Virginia. Nature Conservancy MD/DC Nature Conservancy WV
Trail Guide Brochure Phone WV 304-637-0160 Phone MD/DC 301-897-8570
? “Although all trails are fewer than two miles and not difficult to walk, hiking boots are recommended as some trails may be muddy.”
Beartown State Park
Beartown State Park
“Beartown State Park is a 110-acre natural area located on the eastern summit of Droop Mountain in northern Greenbrier County and a small portion of Pocahontas County. This park is known for its unusual rocky formations, massive boulders, overhanging cliffs and deep crevices.”
Here is the Park website. Phone 304-653-4254 Map
There is a 250 feet wheel chair accessible walkway to the viewing platform. The boardwalk through the park is 2300 feet, but has “numerous short flights of stairs.”
Blackwater Falls State Park
Blackwater Falls State Park
“Located in the Allegheny Mountains of Tucker County, Blackwater Falls State Park is named for the amber waters of Blackwater Falls, a 57-foot cascade tinted by the tannic acid of fallen hemlock and red spruce needles.”
Here is the Park website. Map Phone 304-259-5216 Trails Descriptions
There are a number of trails in this park rated for hiking as “beginner.” I am not sure what this means, but probably pretty easy. Call ahead to be sure they don’t have stairs or other obstacles that could be too difficult for you.
Gentle Trail 0.25 mile “..a short, paved accessible path to an observation deck overlooking Blackwater Falls.”
Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park
Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park
“Located in the Greenbrier River Valley north of Lewisburg, Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park is part of the Civil War Discovery Trail.” There are hiking trails and “gorgeous scenic views of the Greenbrier River Valley.”
Here is the Park website. Phone 304-653-4254 Map Trail Descriptions
Cranberry Bogs Trail 0.5 mile “…the most popular trail in the park, winding through a mountain bog where interesting plants, tall pines, and wildlife can be seen.” “…mostly level, easy walking.”
Old Soldier Trail 0.75 mile ”…easy trail follows an old road grade which passes near the spot where Major Robert Augustus Bailey was shot while trying to rally his men around the Confederate Flag.”