Wheelchair Accessible Things to Do in Northern Wisconsin
On a recent road trip to South Dakota, I had the opportunity for a very short stopover in Northern Wisconsin. While the state may be known for its cheese, there are also other great things to see. I only spent two nights here, but wish I had more time to explore. In this trip report, I’ll let you know where I stayed as well as what I did and what I hope to go back and do in the future.
Where to Stay
Pattison State Park
As we were camping, we stayed at Pattison State Park in Superior, Wisconsin. This Park offers accessible campsites that are a little wider than the regular sites and are flat/level with a small gravel surface. They also have an accessible picnic table near the fire ring.
Duluth
Although technically in Minnesota, this is a great city to make your home base, especially if you’re flying in. There are several popular hotel chains and plenty of options for accessible lodging. Some of the popular sites in Northern Wisconsin are an easy day trip away.
Things to Do
Manitou Falls
The tallest waterfall in Wisconsin is located just outside of Pattison State Park. Also nearby is Little Manitou Falls. The website to the park indicated that both of these waterfalls are accessible, but gave no details on how to get to them. There are also several trails within the park. I was really excited to see and experience them.
When we got to the park, there was no one to really give us more information about the trails or accessing the falls and the little written information provided wasn’t clear either. I tried all of the trails marked as “easy” and unfortunately none of them were accessible due to steps or measures taken to prevent erosion. I was told by some fellow hikers that the lookouts to the falls are accessible, but must be reached by driving there.
For Big Manitou Falls, the parking for the lookout is just outside the main entrance to the park. There were handicap accessible spaces in the parking lot. Once parked, cross the street and head to the picnic area. There is a paved path that leads directly to the overlook. As I mentioned before, the trail around the waterfall is not accessible, so don’t let the fact that it’s paved fool you. At 165 ft tall, this waterfall is the fourth largest east of the Rocky Mountains and is an impressive site to see.
Little Manitou Falls overlook is also outside of the main state park. It’s just down the road from the parking area for the main falls on Route 35. Depending on which direction you are coming from will dictate whether it is before or after the Big Manitou Falls overlook. I was interested in seeing how it compared to its bigger sibling. Unfortunately, after starting from the parking lot to the overlook, I quickly realized that I would not be able to see the falls. Steps in the trail (probably another attempt to prevent erosion) thwarted my efforts. I was disappointed.
All in all, Big Manitou Falls was really pretty, but don’t expect to make a day of hiking and scenery at Pattison State Park. I would still visit, but make it a quick stop as part of a day trip to somewhere else.
Apostle Islands
Unfortunately, because I spent so much time at Pattison State Park, trying to find accessible things to do, I didn’t get the chance to do the boat tour I had planned to the Apostle Islands.
The Apostle Islands National Scenic Lakeshore are under the umbrella of the National Park system. It consists of 21 islands and 69,372 acres of shoreline on Lake Superior. In addition to the islands themselves, this area is known for its lighthouses and sea caves.
The main visitor center for this area is located in Bayfield, WI. Boat tours of the islands also leave from here. The Bayfield Visitor Center offers accessible parking, restrooms and entrance to the building and features a park film. The next closest visitors center is 13 miles north (Little Sand Bay Visitor Center) and offers outdoor exhibits, accessible parking, restrooms and visitor center entrance.
There is a company that offers accessible boat tours of the islands (the best way to see them). Apostle Islands Cruises, www.apostleisland.com, has two ships that are accessible: the Superior Princess and the Archipelago. Only the bottom deck is accessible on these ships and the company suggests that you contact them in advance to make sure your needs will be met. They can be contacted at info@apostleisland.com or call 1-800-323-7619 at least 24 hours in advance. This company offers various tours and shuttles to the islands.
The park service is also working on creating an accessible boardwalk trail on Sand Island to the lighthouse. This 2-mile trail would run from East Bay to the Sand Island lighthouse and allow for easier access to people of all abilities. I could not find an official time-line of when this project may be completed.
Canal Park and Lake walk
Located in Duluth, this scenic walk offers views of the lake and the famous aerial lift bridge in town. It’s a 7-mile paved and wooden boardwalk trail that has 4 designated accessible parking spaces at the southwest end of the trail off of Harbor Drive. Great for a leisurely roll and wonderful views of Lake Superior. Note that this may be inaccessible or closed when flooding occurs.
Great Lakes Aquarium
This fully accessible aquarium is great for those that want to explore underwater animals. It offers accessible parking, restrooms, and entry. There are two elevators that allow access to every floor. All activities are wheelchair accessible, including feeding programs, animal encounters and demonstrations.
Lake Superior Maritime Visitors Center
This free museum offers insight into the history of Lake Superior and the Great Lakes with exhibits that are updated on a regular basis. The museum also offers special programs to highlight certain topics. During covid, advance registration is needed for these special programs. The museum is wheelchair accessible, but if there is a specific program you are interested in you should contact them ahead of time to ensure accessibility.
North Shore Scenic Drive
This 148-mile drive along highway 61 offers wonderful views of waterfalls, cliffs, mountains and beaches. There are plenty of places to stop along this route that allow you to explore more. Some of these stops include:
1. Split Rock Lighthouse
The most photographed lighthouse in Minnesota offers accessible parking, restrooms a visitor center and tours. All aspects of the guided tour are accessible. The main paths around the lighthouse are paved and there is a gravel trail that leads to the lake. Furthermore, ramped entrances make the keepers house and the fog signal building accessible as well.
2. Gooseberry Falls
A 1-mile accessible, paved path leads you to wonderful overlooks of this 3-tiered waterfall. There is accessible parking and restrooms near the visitor’s center.
The accessible route is as follows: follow the paved trail to the visitor center. Turn right at the first fork after passing the visitor center, then turn right again shortly after to continue downhill to the viewpoint of the Lower and Middle Falls. Some switchbacks allow you to skip the stairs on the way down.
At the bottom looking to your left, you’ll have the view of Middle Falls pictured below, and to your right you can see the top of Lower Falls. Turn around and continue up the same hill, then turn right at the intersection at the top of the hill. Soon you’ll see the rock-filled Gooseberry River on your right and ahead there will be a viewing area for the Upper Falls.
While these views are nice, the best views of Upper Falls are from the catwalk under the bridge, which requires quite a bit of backtracking if you are unable to take the stairs. Return to the visitor center area, and turn right onto the paved trail. On the left, there will be a ramp leading up to Gateway Plaza, which has an overlook where you can see a glimpse of Lake Superior beyond the forest. From Gateway Plaza, you can also cross on the top of the bridge for an unobstructed, tree-free view.
To reach the catwalk under the bridge, you have to descend the ramp from Gateway Plaza, then turn left at the bottom. You should see the catwalk on your right. When you’ve had enough of this spectacular scenery, turn around and return to the visitor center.
3. High Falls
Located in Grand Portage State Park, this 120 ft waterfall is the tallest in Minnesota. Accessible parking is located near the visitor center and there is a 1-mile accessible trail that leads to the falls overlook.
Depending on how long you have for your trip, you may also decide to visit one of the two national parks in Northern Minnesota: Isle Royale or Voyagers National Parks. I will save those for another trip report, as I have not visited them myself yet!
Either way, as you can see there are plenty of wonderful accessible options for a visit to Northern Wisconsin and Minnesota. I would love to return there someday when I have more time to view all of the amazing nature that these places have to offer. Until then, I hope I’ve given you some ideas on great accessible things to do in Northern Wisconsin and Minnesota.
