Author: Cecilia

Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge
“Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge is a place of wetlands, grasslands, and riverside forests. During spring and fall migrations, clouds of waterfowl and shorebirds darken the sky.”
Here is the Refuge website.   Map  Phone (605) 487-7603  Images
HikerwithcaneWheelchair Accessible?? “At the Complex headquarters, a short nature trail meanders along the wooded shore of Lake Andes, passes through a series of small prairie ponds, skirts the edge of Owens Bay, and returns through native grassland uplands. The abundance of waterfowl and grassland birds make this an excellent trail for birding. ”  One of the photographs shows a stretch of boardwalk which is maybe 4 inches or so above the dirt trail.  That might be difficult for a power chair.  Call to learn more.

Brookings, SD

City of Brookings  Parks & Recreation  Phone 605-692-2708
Dakota Nature Park 135 acres   phone at Larson Nature Center 605-693-2233
Map and Brochure  Facebook
“Dakota Nature Park is a place where nature prevails, and all humans are guests.”  Pretty well all the facilities in this park are ADA.  Call first for more information or special requests such as your bucket list desire to paddle a kayak.  They will accommodate you!
Middle Pond Trail 0.5 mile,  East Pond Trail 1.1 mile,  and the Overlook TrailWheelchair Accessible

Custer State Park

Custer State Park
The 71,000 acre Custer State Park in the Black Hills of western South Dakota encompasses granite peaks, rolling plains , clear mountain waters and open ranges.
Here is the Park website.  Phone 605-255-4515   Map  Trails  Guide
Wheelchair AccessibleCreekside Trail 2 miles  “This paved trail follows Grace Coolidge Creek and offers a variety of scenery.”
Hikerwithcane? Sylvan Lake Shore Trail  I mile loop. “This trail makes a complete loop around Sylvan Lake, and is among the easiest trails in Custer State Park. Enormous granite formations line portions of the lake making it one of the most picturesque in the Black Hills.  While most of this trail is relatively flat, a portion contains steps and crosses exposed rocky areas. Sections of the trail are not be suitable for strollers.”

Badlands National Park

Badlands National Park
The barren and rugged badlands of this 244,000 acre national park contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. Ancient mammals such as the rhino, horse, and saber-toothed cat once roamed here.  Today, the park now protects mixed-grass prairie habitat for bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets.
Phone (605) 433-5361  Accessibility   Maps
Wheelchair AccessibleDoor Trail 0.25 mile  “boardwalk leads through a break in the Badlands Wall known as “the Door” and to a view of the Badlands.”
Wheelchair AccessibleWindow Trail 0.25 mile. “short trail leads to a natural window in the Badlands Wall with a view of an intricately eroded canyon.”
Wheelchair AccessibleFossil  Exhibit Trail  0.25 mile “Fully accessible boardwalk trail features fossil replicas and exhibits of now extinct creatures that once roamed the area. “

Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve

Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve
This preserve encompasses 1,500 acres along the Missouri River in southeast South Dakota.  The “Preserve features close to 10 miles of limestone trails that wind through prairie, forest and along the riverbank. With over 100 species of birds, a variety of native plants and a number of different animals, visitors are immersed in nature. ”
Here is the Preserve website.  Location Map   Trail Map and Guide   Phone 605.232.0873
“Adams features close to 10 miles of trails that wind through prairie, forest and along the riverbank. With over 100 species of birds, a variety of native plants and a number of different animals, visitors are immersed in nature.”
Wheelchair AccessibleThe Lake Loop, Homestead Trail, and River Loop are labeled wheelchair accessible on the trail map.
Wheelchair Accessible“Guided golf cart tours are available by reservation for visitors with physical limitations, contact the park for details.”

Mon TECH

MonTECH ‘s website is an outstanding resource.   They are  “…focused on increasing outdoor recreation opportunities for Montanans with disabilities and those who experience limitations through aging in a variety of ways.”   A search of their interactive site for “hiking” came up with 30 matching locations with links to descriptions and contacts for each.  Phone; (406) 243-5751 Voice/TTY  (877) 243-5511 Voice/TTY Toll-Free

MIssoula MT

Missoula  Parks & Recreation
Greenough Park
Wheelchair AccessibleGreenough Park Trail is a 0.8 mile loop described on TrailLink as “one of urban Missoula’s best”.
Hikerwithcane“…. Rattlesnake Creek …. courses through the park’s center. Cottonwoods and conifers are thick throughout, as are willows and other woody and herbaceous plants. It’s a great place for bird-watching”  “Several dirt paths wind through the trees and along Rattlesnake Creek”
Wheelchair AccessibleKim Williams Nature Trail 4.2 miles from TrailLink:  the trail  “…meanders alongside the Clark Fork River in downtown Missoula. It connects to the Riverfront Trail, giving users an uninterrupted 4 miles of trail from which to enjoy the river or access Missoula’s neighborhoods, commercials areas, parks, and the university.”
Wheelchair AccessibleRiverfront Trail 3.5 miles “follows an abandoned right-of-way along the old Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific railroad, commonly known as the Milwaukee Road.”

This guide to “trails in & around Missoula” has excellent descriptions and directions.

Cheraw State Park

Cheraw State Park
The Park consists of 7361acres of parkland – much of which is covered in tall pines, and a 360 acre lake.
Here is the Park website.  Phone 843-537-9656  Park Map  Trail Map   Brochure  Trails
Thank you to Rhonda Griffith for information about the ease of these trails.
Wheelchair Accessible Lake Juniper Boardwalk Trail 0.5 mile “runs alongside of Lake Juniper.  Along the way you can see flowers, turtles and other local wildlife on the lake.  The boardwalk continues to the spill way where our dam is located. There are some tree roots that might make for a bumpy ride but the short path to the water way is pretty.  We call it a waterfall, but it is a manmade spill way for the dam.”
Wheelchair AccessibleCheraw Nature Trail and Turkey Oak Trail.   Ms. Griffith says they are ADA, but may be bumpy.  The Cheraw  Nature Trail “is an easy 1.9-mile walk, which is the inner loop of the larger 2.6-mile Turkey Oak Trail” …both are… “a pleasant walk through a very dense forest of longleaf pine, blackjack oak, turkey oak, hickory trees, ……native irises called Blue Flags in the spring, and rose pogonia orchids in the summer. ”  You may also see “…. lizards, deer, snakes, and a vast assortment of birds. A short spur trail offers a chance for you to see the rare red cockaded woodpecker. If you chose to continue on the Turkey Oak Trail, you will enter a cypress swamp as you approach Lake Juniper, where you may see waterfowl such as ducks, egrets, geese, and pied billed grebe. You may also be treated to a wide array of raptors such as bald eagles, ospreys, red-tailed hawks, northern harriers, and Mississippi kites.”