After spending several weeks with my elderly mother, we’ve been reminded how frustrating travel can be for anyone experiencing limited mobility. Navigating airports, parking lots, hotel rooms, public bathrooms, and restaurants is complicated for wheelchairs and walkers alike. What about RVing? Is it possible to RV with a disability? Or to have an RV designed to meet your specific mobility needs?
These are the questions lots of people face. And, to be honest, for many people with mobility needs, the lure of the outdoors is has an even bigger pull. No one wants to be shut in. But in many cases, an RV is the ideal answer to travel more comfortably. To open up the outdoors. And to kick down old boundaries — all while exploring your bucket-list destinations!
So, let’s talk about the all-umportant details of how to RV with a disability.
What to Look for in an RV for People with Mobility Issues
While most RVs on the market can be customized for someone with impaired mobility, here are some key features to consider if you have mobility issues or want to host someone who does.
- Hydraulic ramps or a wheelchair lift
- Lower control panels, and optional hand controls for driving instead of foot pedals (on self-driven RVs)
- Open floorplans
- Wide doorways
- Height adjustable counters, lower sinks, and seating with adjustable headrests
- Lower beds for easy transfer
- Spacious bathrooms and roll-in showers that are equipped with seats, handheld shower hoses, and safety bars
Class A or Class C motorhomes with an open floorplan might be best. Quite simply, they offer more interior space for wheelchairs or walkers to move around. But, if you have a traveling companion who is able to detach/hook up a trailer, there are also a few models to consider. Manufacturers that offer accessibility features include: Newmar, Winnebago, Harbor View, and Keystone.
Tip! When shopping for an RV to meet your mobility needs, be sure to bring along the special equipment you use regularly. (At the very minimum, have the dimensions.) You need to make sure the RV can accommodate your needs.
Special Passes to Smooth Your Path
National Passes
The America the Beautiful Pass offers visitors free entrance into all national parks, recreation areas, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and national forest areas which charge an entrance fee. While folks under the age of 62 pay $80 for this annual pass, folks with a disability (no age limit) can obtain this same pass (known as the Access Pass) for free. There is no upfront charge. Plus, Access Pass cardholders and their traveling companions get half of camping fees in all federally-owned campgrounds! You can obtain an Access Pass online or in person at many NPS sites.
State Park Passes
As you might expect, some states are more tuned into RVers with disabilities than others. Even so, it never hurts to explore if your state offers discounted passes. For instance, California State Parks offers a Disabled Discount Pass for a whopping $3.50. It also allows persons with permanent disabilities a 50 percent discount on vehicle day use, family camping, and boat use fees. Washington offers residents who are legally blind, profoundly deaf, or who meet the disability definition by the SSA a free Disability Pass. This pass offers free parking, watercraft launch, and trailer dump use as Washington State parks. On toipos of that there’s the 50 percent discount on nightly camping and moorage fees. There are plenty of other programs out there, too. So, check your state park’s website for details.
Campground & Park Accessibility Features
Nearly every state park campground and all federally-owned campgrounds offer at least on to two sites specifically designed for folks with mobility challenges. Some county-owned parks and privately-owned parks are ADA-accessible as well. Typically, these campsites are paved, making wheelchair and walker access easier. They are also usually situated next to the bathroom and/or shower house with a paved path in between the campsite and the bathroom. Most bathrooms have at least one bathroom and/or shower stall designed to accommodate a wheelchair. Many modern campground bathrooms offer single-use bathroom/shower combinations which are fully-equipped for disabled access. (But, if you’re planning a trip, it’s always good to call ahead and ask.)
In addition to campsites and bathrooms, many state parks and national parks offer special accommodations for disabled visitors. Some offer paved trails or boardwalks to popular areas or viewpoints. Others offer special equipment such as all-terrain wheelchairs that can be used on many hiking trails, sand dunes, and beaches. Some chairs are even self-driven and motorized like the ones offered by Minnesota State Parks, while Florida State Parks offer specialized wheelchairs that provide visitors assistance with getting into the ocean.
Additional Assistance
National Park Service visitor centers are designed to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers. (And all of the NPS films offer subtitles for hearing impaired folks.) All national parks that offer a shuttle bus service have wheelchair ramps and designated wheelchair space onboard. Many ranger-led programs can accommodate wheelchairs as well. If you are interested in a tour offered by one of the park’s concessionaires, ask if they can accommodate your mobility needs.
When planning your next national park road trip, check the “Plan Your Visit” tab on each park’s website to find information about “Accessibility” at that specific park. Check out Reader’s Digest’s recent article highlighting the eight most accessible U.S. national parks!
Finally, for senior travelers or those who need to recover from surgery or a serious medical condition, the Escapees C.A.R.E. program is like no other. Exceptionally, it allows RVers to remain in their rolling home in an assisted-living facility type of arrangement in Livingston, Texas.
The Secret to RV with a Disability
Regardless of your mobility challenges, take courage: There is an RV and campground that can accommodate your needs! Don’t let your disability hold you back from your traveling and camping dreams. The secret to RV with a disability is one part courage and one part planning. With the right amount of each, you’ll be blown away by the adventures you can access. So, get out there and enjoy the scenic beauty and fascinating history that North America offers!
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