Tongass National Forest<\/strong>
\nTongass National Forest has accessible and easy trails.\u00a0 It is the nation’s largest national forest. \u00a0It covers most of Southeast Alaska, including the Inside Passage, Mendenhall Glacier, Bear Creek, and Admiralty Island. \u00a0This national forest “is the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world, and is home to a majestic array of islands, mountains, forests, glaciers, salmon streams, fjords and bays.”\u00a0 From\u00a0TravelAlaska.com<\/a>
\n $\"Wheelchair$ Ward Creek Trail\u00a0<\/a> \u00a0 1.4 miles gravel surfaced in rolling terrain.<\/p>\n

$\"Wheelchair$ Pipeline Trail<\/a> 3.1 miles \u00a0gravel surface in rolling terrain.<\/p>\n

$\"Wheelchair$ Mosquito Cove Trail<\/a>\u00a0 1.5 mile loop through hemlock\/spruce forest. \u00a0The first 1000′ is ADA complaint.
\n $\"Wheelchair$ Eagle’s Nest Campground Interpretive Trail<\/a>\u00a0 0.5 mile through spruce trees, along Control Creek where salmon spawn.
\n $\"Wheelchair$ Wukuklook Beach Trail<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a00.5 mile boardwalk to Wukuklook Beach.<\/p>\n

$\"\"$ Crystal Lake Trail<\/a>\u00a0 0.8 mile on natural glacier gravel deposits. \u00a0This trail is rated “easy”, but may not be easy enough. \u00a0Call the Forest to learn more.
\n $\"\"$ Lake Florence Trail<\/a>\u00a0 1.4 miles “The trail gradually climbs from saltwater on Chatham Strait through a spruce\/hemlock forest and ends at Lake Florence.” \u00a0Rated easy, but check first.
\nTongas National Forest Headquarters 907-225-3101 website<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 Map<\/a><\/p>\n

The Forest Service has produced this guide to\u00a0 Trails outside Ketchikan<\/a>. \u00a0It includes trails within the Forest and some administered by the City of Ketchikan. \u00a0A number of these sound pretty easy, although not wheelchair accessible. Call the Ranger District to learn more. 907-225-2148<\/p>\n

Know more about\u00a0 Tongas National Forest ?
\n<\/span>Have you visited this location and know of more accessible or easy trails?\u00a0 Is any of the information given here incorrect?\u00a0 If so, please contact me using the form to the left and let me know what should be changed or added so I can update this post.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul>Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/a>State<\/h2>\n
Alaska State Parks
\n<\/strong>Alaska’s “…diversity of landscapes is reflected in the parks, historic sites, recreation areas, trails, preserves, and special areas of the State Park System — a collection of 123 units ranging in size from the half-acre Potter Section House State Historic site to the 1.6 million-acre Wood-Tikchik State Park.”
\nBrochure<\/a> \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 Accessible Facilities<\/a>
\n<\/strong>DNR Public Information Centers phones:\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Anchorage 907-269-8400, Fairbanks 907-451-2705<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve\u00a0<\/strong>
\nThe Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve was created by the state in 1982.\u00a0 The preserve protects the world’s largest concentration of Bald Eagles and their habitat.\u00a0 There are accessible paths and boardwalks.\u00a0 \u00a0The preserve also protects the natural salmon runs in 48,000 acres of river bottom land of the Chilkat, Kleheni, and Tsirku Rivers.\u00a0
\n $\"Wheelchair$ <\/strong>1.75 miles of pavement and boardwalk for viewing eagles along the Chilkat river.
\nMap<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0Haines Ranger Station phone\u00a0907-766-2292\u00a0 Preserve’s website<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
Chugach State Park
\n<\/strong>This large Southcentral Alaska park has several accessible trails.\u00a0 The landscape includes “….diverse land forms and rugged topography, bounded on the north and west by the Alaska Range, and on the east by the Chugach and Wrangell Mountains and Prince William Sound. The region contains extensive ocean shoreline, abundant lakes, massive glaciers and ice fields. The park\u2019s westernmost boundary lies in the western foothills of the Chugach Mountain Range and is a mere seven miles to the east of downtown Anchorage. ”\u00a0 Here is their website<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0Phone\u00a0907-345-5014
\n $\"Wheelchair$ <\/strong>Anchorage Overlook trail 0.25 mile paved and gravel trail view of Anchorage, Alaska Range and Cook Inlet. \u00a0Anchorage Hillside Trail System Guide<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Map<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Chugach Hillside Brochure and Map<\/a>
\n $\"Wheelchair$ Bird Creek to Indian Bike Trail \u00a0c 3 miles paved along Turnagain Arm to Bird Creek Campground
\n $\"Wheelchair$ Bird Point to Girdwood Bike Path 6 miles paved<\/p>\n
$\"Wheelchair$ Bird Ridge Trailhead. 0.3 mile with viewing areas at either end. paved<\/p>\n
$\"\"$ Eagle River Nature Center \u00a0 Trail System<\/a>\u00a0 There are 3 easy trails and one rated easy to moderate. \u00a0The trails are hard-pack gravel, so some wheelchair users may find them accessible.
\n $\"Wheelchair$ Potter Creek Interpretive Trail 0.46 miles, 220 feet paved.<\/p>\n
Trail Descriptions<\/a><\/p>\n
Know more about Chugach State Park?
\nHave you visited this location and know of more accessible or easy trails?\u00a0 Is any of the information given here incorrect?\u00a0 If so, please contact me using the form to the left and let me know what should be changed or added so I can update this post.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
Denali State Park
\n<\/strong>Th 325,240 acre Denali State Park provides a great variety of recreational opportunities, ranging from roadside camping to wilderness exploration.\u00a0\u00a0Lying between the Talkeetna Mountains to the east and the Alaska Range to the west, the landscape varies from meandering lowland streams, to montane forest, to alpine tundra.\u00a0
\n $\"Wheelchair$ <\/strong>Denali View North has about 1200′ of paved trail with interpretive signs.
\nHere is their website<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0 Brochure & Map<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0Phone 907-745-3975<\/p>\n
Know more about Denali State Park?
\n<\/span>Have you visited this location and know of more accessible or easy trails?\u00a0 Is any of the information given here incorrect?\u00a0 If so, please contact me using the form to the left and let me know what should be changed or added so I can update this post.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
Lake Louise State Recreation Area
\n<\/strong>This 500 acre area “…provides opportunities for “camping, fishing, boating, bird watching, hiking, biking, berry picking, snow machining, skiing, skating, hunting, and Northern Lights viewing. Lake Louise offers great year round fishing and sports four species of fish…” \u00a0There is a great variety of wildlife including moose, bear, wolves, fox, sheep, lynx and caribou. \u00a0You may see loons and trumpeter swans.\u00a0 \u00a0Here is their website<\/a>.
\n $\"Wheelchair$ There is a “hard-pack gravel” interpretive trail. \u00a0Length not given.
\n Map<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0Campground phone 907-441-7575<\/p>\n
Know more about Lake Louise?
\n<\/span>Have you visited this location and know of more accessible or easy trails?\u00a0 Is any of the information given here incorrect?\u00a0 If so, please contact me using the form to the left and let me know what should be changed or added so I can update this post.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
Matanuska Lakes State Recreation Area
\n<\/strong>Matanuska Lakes State Recreation Area used to be known as Kepler-Bradley.\u00a0 It\u00a0 lies northeast of Homer, west of Palmer.\u00a0 The trails around the lake are accessible.\u00a0 Visitors come for fishing, hiking, camping and biking.\u00a0 The area includes several lakes stocked with trout and grayling.\u00a0 \u00a0Here is their website<\/a>.
\n $\"Wheelchair$ Trails around Matanuska Lake are hard-pack gravel \u00a0 Map
\n<\/a>Phone DPOR \u00a0907-269-<\/p>\n
Know more about Matanuska Lakes SRA?
\n<\/span>Have you visited this location and know of more accessible or easy trails?\u00a0 Is any of the information given here incorrect?\u00a0 If so, please contact me using the form to the left and let me know what should be changed or added so I can update this post.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
Mendenhall Wetlands – State Game Refuge easy, accessible trails
\n<\/strong>Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge at Juneau, Alaska has some accessible trails.\u00a0 The refuge is a saltwater wetlands which provides a vital feeding and resting area for both resident birds and migrants traveling to and from their Arctic breeding grounds. The 4,000-acre wildlife refuge stretches nine miles along the shores of Gastineau Channel\u00a0\u00a0and is enjoyed for\u00a0waterfowl hunting, hiking, wildlife viewing and photography, boating, fishing, and scientific and educational studies.\u00a0 Here is their website<\/a>.\u00a0 Phone 907-465-4266\u00a0 A fuller description of these trails is found on Alaska.org’s\u00a0 Juneau Hiking Trails<\/a>.
\n $\"Wheelchair$ <\/strong>Airport Dike Trail\u00a0 \u00a01.2 miles paved. \u00a0Elevation gain 3′. \u00a0 “It has many opportunities for waterfowl and bird watching.”
\n $\"\"$ <\/a>Mendenhall Wetlands Trail\u00a0 1 mile “…runs through the wetlands between the mainland and Douglas Island. It\u2019s a great walk for families, birdwatchers, and exercisers. There are interpretive signs along the trail, with information about the birds, animals, and the wetlands ecosystems. “<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
Old Sitka State Historical Park
\n<\/strong>A settlement here along Starrigavan Bay was built by Russians in the early 1800s. This site has been designated as a National Historic Landmark and there are interpretive panels with information about the history here. The park is 7 miles north of downtown Sitka.\u00a0 Here is their website<\/a>.
\n $\"Wheelchair$ Forest and Muskegs Trail 1.25 self-guided mile “…hard-pack gravel, with sections of boardwalk. Approximately 100 feet of trail has a 14% gradient. The rest of the trail has a gradient of 12% or less.”<\/p>\n
Interpretive Panels<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 Map<\/a>\u00a0 Phone 907-269-8400<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
Point Bridget State Park
\n<\/strong>The 2,850 acre Point Bridget State Park is forty miles north of Juneau and has muskeg, meadows, cliffs, \u00a0salmon spawning streams, and rocky beaches on the sea. Point Bridget Trail is said to be easy.
\n $\"\"$ <\/strong>Point Bridget Trail\u00a0 3.5 miles one way.\u00a0 Description from\u00a0Alaska.org<\/a>: \u00a0The trail “meanders through muskeg, mature forest, and grassland until it reaches a beaver dam and views of the Lynn Canal. Bears often visit the meadow, but leave it to fish the stream. In spring, thousands of white-winged and surf scooters swim wing to wing in one giant raft. It is quite a sight to behold. Sea lions and harbor seals are often seen near shore and every once-in-awhile a humpback whale is offshore.”
\nAt 7 miles round trip with an elevation gain of over 400′ this trail is likely to be too long and have too much elevation gain for you to do the entire trail, although it is described as suitable for all skill levels and “kid friendly”. \u00a0 The wildflowers and scenery may make it worthwhile walking part way.\u00a0 Here is the park\u00a0 website<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 and a description of\u00a0\u00a0 Trails in Point Bridget State Park<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Park Map<\/a>\u00a0 Park Guide<\/a>
\nPhone 907-465-4563<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
Settlers Cove State Recreation Site
\n<\/strong>Settlers Cove is a quiet spot on the Clover Passage in the Ketchikan Region of Southeast Alaska. \u00a0Red Cedar, Western Hemlock and Sitka Spruce grow here in the temperate rainforest. \u00a0There is a sandy beach and a series of trails.\u00a0 Their website<\/a>. Phone 907-465-4563
\n $\"Wheelchair$ Hollow Cedar Beach Access Trail \u00a0200 yds to Lunch Creek Bridge<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul>Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/a>Local<\/h2>\n
City of Homer<\/strong>
\nHere is Homer’s website.<\/a>
\n<\/strong> $\"Wheelchair$ <\/a>Spit Trail\u00a0 \u00a04 miles, paved
\nThank you Cherry Jones, for letting me know about The Spit Trail.\u00a0 The trail goes form the base of Homer Spit to the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon.<\/p>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div><\/li>
City of Juneau – accessible, easy trails
\n<\/strong>The Juneau area does have a few easy accessible trails, in spite of the vertical nature of its setting.\u00a0 Parks and Recreation’s phone number is 907-459-1070.\u00a0 Here is their website<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0Alaska.org’s Juneau Hiking Trails<\/a> has good descriptions of the nearby trails.
\n $\"Wheelchair$ Mendenhall River Trail \u00a02 miles, paved. \u00a0The trail follows the Mendenhall River greenbelt area, starting at Brotherhood Bridge. \u00a0“In mid-summer, over a flat field of iris and fireweed, the Mendenhall rises between McGinnis Mountain and the Sawtooth Peaks.”
\n $\"Wheelchair$ <\/a>Rainforest Trail\u00a0 0.5 mile trail leading out to the north end of Douglas Island.\u00a0 There is a small beach there with beautiful views.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul>Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/a>Private<\/h2>\n
Accessible Alaska Cruises<\/a> organize wheelchair accessible cruises to most tourist ports in Alaska.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
\u00a0 Alaska Small Boat Tours<\/strong>
\nIf\u00a0your only disability is stamina and you are still capable of climbing ladders and in and out of bunks, \u00a0I strongly recommend a trip on one of the small cruising boats in Alaskan waters. \u00a0 I spent a week on the M\/V Catalyst<\/a> and had a fabulous time.<\/p>\n
$\"Sea$ <\/a>
Sea Lions on Brothers Islands, Southeast Alaska<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
$\"Spouting$ <\/a>
Spouting whales, Southeast Alaska<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul>Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/a>Miscellaneous<\/h2>\n
Alaska Parks & Trails
\n<\/strong>Be sure to check out Alaska.org<\/a> for descriptions Alaska’s many parks and trails.<\/p>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div><\/li>
Trails.com<\/a> has this list of 20 easy trails from the Falcon Press book Best Easy Day Hikes: Fairbanks<\/a> by Montana Hodges<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy<\/a> lists wheelchair accessible trails in Alaska.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
Wheelchairtraveling.com<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0 is an outstanding resource.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul> Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Alaska has a number of trails with minimal obstacles. \u00a0Some are very easy and others are wheelchair accessible. \u00a0Here are just a few of them. Most of the links given were found through Internet search. Some places I have been able to visit and a few have been recommended to me by other people … Continue reading Wheelchairtraveling.com AK<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-122","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/122","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=122"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/122\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6209,"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/122\/revisions\/6209"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=122"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}