Camping for the Disabled… Yes, it’s Possible!
I love to travel internationally, but I also really enjoy exploring my own country. I mean, there are so many beautiful places in the United States, who wouldn’t want to see them? Someday, I hope to be able to say that I’ve been to all 50 states and as many national parks as possible.
The main way I travel domestically is by camping. It allows me to not only see a specific destination, but some of the amazing sights along the way as well. This is my guide on camping for the disabled.
Is Camping for the Disabled Really Possible?
Ok so you may initially think, how does someone with mobility issues camp as it doesn’t seem like it would be a good fit. Well, I’m here to tell you it’s possible! There are multiple ways to take a road trip when you have mobility issues and I’ll explore those options with you as well as tell you how I successfully camp.
I’m lucky in that my parents have an RV, and I travel with them. They have a Class A RV, which is bus style. It has a ton of storage so it can hold my medical supplies and my mobility scooter. Typically, we also tow our car behind it so when we get to where we are going, we have an easy way to get around that I know will work for me.
How to Make Camping for the Disabled Possible
Chair Lift
The hardest part of camping in the RV is the steps to get inside (which are steep and have no handrail). As a solution, I found a company that makes a chair lift to help people with limited mobility get inside. Once I’m inside, I have enough mobility with my cane and holding on to things that I can walk around independently.
If you have difficulty sitting up on your own, I have seen similar companies that use this same type of lift system with a Hoyer-type sling. I have also seen some companies that can adapt a larger style RV with a wheelchair lift as well as the inside of the RV by widening doorways, installing a track system for a Hoyer sling, etc. I have not priced this particular adaptation but can imagine it gets pretty pricey really quickly. My chair lift system alone was around $5,000.
Buy a New Already Adapted RV
If you want to go for the gusto and buy a new and already adapted RV, Winnebago offers an accessible line of RV’s. It’s a class A bus-style and offers lowered counters, a wheelchair lift to get inside, a roll-in shower as well as other accessible features. However, all of this accessibility comes with a pretty big price tag . . . starting at $200,000.
Trailer with Portable Ramp
A similar but more affordable option (depending on your abilities) is to buy a tow behind a camping trailer. They are lower to the ground, which means fewer steps and sometimes you can use a portable wheelchair ramp to roll in. You will still have issues with narrow doorways, however. In general, I recommend an RV or Trailer that has multiple slide-outs as this creates more room to maneuver for a wheelchair or Hoyer system once inside.
Get an Adapted Trailer
Harborview is a company that exclusively makes accessible travel trailers http://harborview.hlenterpriseinc.com/. Toy haulers can also be adapted to be accessible and already have a ramp entrance. One company that can build an adapted version of this is Dune Sport https://dunesport.com/toy-hauler/wheelchair-accessible. If these are too steep, do not fear, you can buy a used adapted RV utilizing a site such as https://www.rvproperty.com/handicapped-rvs-for-sale/, and http://disableddealer.com/.
Adapt Your Own RV or Trailer
Several companies can assist you with adapting a trailer or motor home (RV) to suit your needs. This allows you to purchase a used RV or utilize one that you may have that has become harder to use. I have listed some of these companies below. Please note, I have not personally used any of these companies so I cannot attest to their work, etc.
- Sportsmobile: https://sportsmobile.com/conversion-type/mobile-disabled/ Converts sprinter type vans into a RV style van that allows you to camp. They customize it to each individual customer’s needs.
- Access Unlimited: https://accessunlimited.com/html/multi-lift-other.html Can add a lift to your RV.
- Burr Mobility Products: https://www.mobile-lifts.com/motorhome-and-rv-lifts/ Can install a wheelchair lift.
- Star Tracks Custom Seat Lift: https://www.startrackseatlifts.com/Tiffen-RV-handicap-seat-lift.htm If you have some mobility but difficulty with steps, this is a great option. It’s a seat lift (not a wheelchair lift) that will lift you over the steps and into any style of RV (class A, C, fifth wheel, etc). This the same type of system I use to get into my parent’s RV.
- Creative Mobile Interiors: https://www.creativemobileinteriors.com/Pages/Portfolio/Custom_Special_Needs_Vehicles/ Offers to customize and adapt vans into accessible campers.
- DW Auto and Home Mobility: https://www.dwauto.com/RV-Conversion Adds lifts (both wheelchair and chair lifts) to RVs.
Accessible Camping for the Disabled
After the initial cost of buying an RV or Trailer, and having it set up for your needs, camping becomes a more affordable option. When trekking across the country, we often opt to stay in state park campgrounds (which typically cost around $25 a night). Not only are they affordable but they also usually have at least one campsite that is designated handicap accessible.
These sites may have a concrete pad (vs gravel) and be more level and easier to maneuver. National parks also usually have accessible camping sites which can be discounted if you have an access pass.
Unfortunately for me, most national park campgrounds are fairly rustic and do not have electricity at their campsites (which I need to help charge and run my ventilator). This may also be a consideration if you need to charge a power wheelchair or mobility scooter.
Accessible sites will definitely make camping for the disabled easier, but do not eliminate all problems. Keep in mind that if you are not towing an accessible vehicle behind you when you travel, parking an RV will present challenges.
Typically, there are no accessible RV parking areas and if your RV is equipped with a wheelchair lift, you will still need quite a bit of clearance to be able to load and unload. Also, depending on where you are visiting, there may be size restrictions for vehicles and RV’s may not be allowed in certain areas.
What if I Can’t Afford to Adapt a RV or Trailer?
If you really love camping, it may make sense to invest in one of the above options, but if you are unsure if those are the best options for you, there are a couple of other ways you can still take the road trip of your dreams.
First, you can drive your own adapted vehicle and stay at accessible hotels along the way. The benefits would be that you are familiar with the vehicle and still get to have the road trip experience.
The downside is you may not get the sleeping under the stars experience and may have to lug a lot of equipment with you (unless where you’re going offers a place to rent the equipment you may need).
Another somewhat similar option is to drive your own vehicle but look for accessible cabins you can ‘camp” in. This would allow you to be closer to nature but have some of the comforts of home. Kind of the best of both worlds. Unfortunately, accessible cabins can be hard to find at times and are really dependent on where you are travelling to.
There are some state parks that offer these types of cabins as options though. State parks are usually conveniently located near popular tourism sites. Accessible cabins can vary greatly in what they have to offer, so do your research to make sure it will suit your individual needs.
And by all means, book early! With limited accessible cabins, they can book up fast. Traveling in the shoulder season of busy times may help your chances at snagging your desired cabin.
Camping for the Disabled Conclusions
Inspired yet to start planning your next road trip? I hope so. Now all that’s left is to decide where you want to go, grab those awesome road trip snacks and your favorite music playlist, and hit the road! If you want to read more about why national parks are a great accessible destination and the benefits of having an access pass, feel free to check out my next blog post here.
