Tips for wheelchair-accessible camping

For those in the UK, the summer months often mean heading to some of our favourite places and enjoying beautiful views, beautiful weather and, hopefully, a tad of relaxation. For many, it also means going camping,

For those who rely on a wheelchair to help them get around, camping might feel like something you can’t participate in, but that’s not the case. Camping is something we can all enjoy, even those who rely on a wheelchair and in this guide, we take you through some top tips that you should consider to make your upcoming camping trip as easy and stress-free as possible, including choosing the right campsite, researching the facilities and considering your specific needs.

Tips for wheelchair-accessible camping:

• Research campsites beforehand
• Look at hiring an all-terrain wheelchair
• Look at the facilities your chosen campsite offers
• Consider your specific needs
• Think about your equipment

Research campsites beforehand

One of the first, and probably the most important things you should consider when thinking about accessible camping is the campsite you’re going to choose and the facilities it has to offer. For those in a wheelchair, the campsite you choose is really important, and you should take into consideration the facilities, terrain and help that is on hand. This is something Emma from the blog Simply Emma spoke to us about in a little more detail; she said:

“Camping in a wheelchair can be a fun and exciting adventure as well as a wonderful way to connect with nature, but it does require some extra planning. Start by researching campsites that offer wheelchair-accessible facilities such as toilets and showers. You may also want to consider the surrounding areas and choose a campsite with accessible trails and activities nearby. With a little planning, wheelchair-accessible camping can be a fun and rewarding adventure.”

Whilst researching your chosen campsite, you should look out for accessible facilities like toilets and showers, as well as flat terrain and facilities that have wheelchair access. If this information isn’t available on the campsite website, then it is worth giving the campsite you’re interested in a call, and they should be able to help.

Look at hiring an all-terrain wheelchair

If you’re looking to go camping and have found the perfect campsite that has all the facilities you could need, but you’re worried about how you’re going to explore the local area and enjoy your time away, then why not consider hiring an all-terrain wheelchair? An all-terrain wheelchair will allow you to explore a plethora of new destinations, including the ones that may be on more uneven ground or down rocky or gravel tracks that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to reach. This is also a top tip that Emma from Simply Emma recommended to us:

“If you plan on exploring nature walks and trails, it may be worth hiring an all-terrain wheelchair to really make the most of the experience.”

All-terrain wheelchairs and normal wheelchairs can be hired locally to the campsite you are staying at, and you can organise this prior to travelling so you know it is all taken care of.

Consider your specific needs

When booking a camping holiday when you’re dependent on a mobility aid, it is really important to consider your own needs and the sort of things you require or think are necessary to make your trip as comfortable as possible. Kristin Secor from the blog World On Wheels loves camping and offers her recommendations for those camping with a wheelchair and why you should consider your own needs beforehand:

“I love camping as a way to travel while experiencing nature, and I usually take at least one camping trip a year. For fellow wheelchair users who are also interested in this method of travelling, I suggest weighing the pros and cons of the different ways you can camp to find the best choice for your individual needs. For example, there are some wheelchair users who tent camp. This, in my opinion, is the most challenging as you need to be able to transfer to a cot or air mattress, and you'll need to ensure that the campground you are staying at has accessible bathrooms and showers. You would also need to order or find a tent with a flat entry.

She continues to explain more about the sort of accommodation options you can choose from and how you should ask as many questions as possible beforehand to make sure you are choosing the right option for you.

“Finally, you could look for campgrounds and facilities that offer accessible cabins or onsite rentals. If you choose this option, make sure you ask specific questions about the available facilities to ensure they will meet your needs. In other words, don't just ask if it's wheelchair accessible. Instead, ask specific questions such as if there are any stairs required to enter, what the height of the bed is, or if there is a roll-in shower available. If electricity is needed for either medical equipment or to charge your wheelchair, make sure to inquire about that as well. Furthermore, you could also request pictures to help you determine if it will work for you. To have the most success in finding camping supplies and facilities that will be suitable for you, make sure to plan for your trip in advance. Popular camping areas can book up quickly, so check to see when reservations open, and book as early as possible. In addition, make sure you request a site with disability access. These sites differ from others in the fact that they usually have a level concrete pad that is wider to allow for wheelchair access. Not all campgrounds offer these types of sites, and the ones that do have very limited numbers of them available.

“Overall, camping is a fun and wonderful way to travel for people of various abilities. Several options are available on the market to help make camping possible for everyone. Whether it's an adapted caravan (with hand controls, a lift, tie downs, an accessible bathroom, or ceiling track), an accessible cabin, or tents and related equipment that has been modified for easy use, you are sure to find an option that can suit your needs.”

Think about your equipment

Camping doesn’t just have to be sleeping in a tent. You can tailor your experience to suit you by hiring a campervan or renting out a holiday lodge so that you can make your experience more comfortable. A rental lodge or campervan will give you more room and space, and you can ensure that they are adapted to suit your needs, the likes of which you wouldn’t get in a tent. Lodges and parking areas for campervans are also usually on hardstanding which is more easily accessible for wheelchairs than grass. Campervans can be hired for a reasonable day rate, and parking spaces can be found in all campsites around the UK.

If you often rely on aids like straight and curved stairlifts at home and you’re looking to go camping over the summer months but have always worried about your mobility getting in the way, then hopefully, this guide has given you a little confidence and reassurance that everyone can enjoy a summer camping vacation. For more articles like this, make sure you visit our blog.