As the sun sets and the stars begin to twinkle, there’s nothing quite like the experience of camping in the great outdoors. For campers who use wheelchairs, the joy of camping should be no different. In London (Ontario) and across Canada, strides are being made to ensure that camping is an inclusive and accessible experience for all.
In London, Ontario, the city’s commitment to accessibility is evident in its camping facilities. Hipcamp, a popular camping platform, lists a variety of wheelchair-accessible campsites in and around London. These sites not only provide the necessary amenities for wheelchair users but also ensure a memorable camping experience.
In the vicinity of London, a variety of wheelchair-accessible camping options are available, each offering a unique experience.
Kubasseks Water Front Retreat is a haven for nature lovers. Nestled within a hundred-acre forest, the retreat offers access to serene trails and water bodies. Campers have the choice of four distinct sites, each located by a large pond. The retreat caters to all types of camping enthusiasts, from those who prefer the simplicity of tents to those who travel with RVs as large as 40 feet.
Farm Camp Palmyra, an organic farm, provides a unique camping experience. It ensures campers have access to water and 30 amp electricity. For those who enjoy swimming, the farm recommends the picturesque beaches in Rondeau Park, which is just a few minutes away.
Bright’s Grove Bayou, is a sprawling 180-acre property teeming with wildlife, including deer, wild turkeys, squirrels, and chipmunks. The diverse landscape of the property allows campers to set up their tents in a bush, a meadow, or by an active creek, offering a variety of experiences.
Glenelg Wellness Retreat is a peaceful sanctuary spread over 42 acres of grass and trees. It offers ample space for campers to wake up to the melodious sounds of birds and the sight of a stunning sunrise.
Lastly, Cripple Creek campground, with its 26 acres of bush and open space, offers a unique camping experience. The presence of several ponds and creeks adds to the charm of this location.
Each of these camping options is committed to ensuring an inclusive and memorable experience for all campers, regardless of their mobility.
But the commitment to accessibility isn’t confined to London, Ontario. Across Canada, national parks are making camping more accessible for everyone. From accommodations designed to be soothing for those with autism to wheelchair-accessible sites, Canada’s national parks are leading the way in inclusive camping.
In Atlantic Canada, Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland and Labrador offers wheelchair-accessible campsites, showers, and washrooms at several campgrounds.
Kouchibouguac National Park in New Brunswick features wheelchair-friendly ramp access to its oTENTik tents, a cozy blend of cabin and tent, and offers all-terrain wheelchair rentals for exploring the park’s beautiful boardwalk and sand dunes.
In Quebec, La Mauricie National Park has remodeled its F7 oTENTik tent at the Rivière-à-la-Pêche campground to be wheelchair accessible, both inside and out. The path between the tent and the service building, as well as the building itself, is fully accessible.
Ontario’s Pukaskwa National Park offers a peaceful, wheelchair-friendly Boardwalk Beach Trail leading down to Horseshoe Bay. The Hattie Cove Campground features two accessible campsites and an oTENTik, providing a comfortable camping experience for all.
Out west, Jasper National Park in Alberta offers four wheelchair-friendly campgrounds spread across the park. In British Columbia, Glacier National Park’s Illecillewaet Campground has accessible camping sites and washrooms, and visitors can borrow an all-terrain wheelchair from the welcome station.
In the far north, Wood Buffalo National Park in the Northwest Territories offers two wheelchair-accessible sites at Pine Lake Campground, with an accessible outhouse. Kluane National Park and Reserve in Yukon has two wheelchair-accessible campsites, with the nearby outhouses also wheelchair accessible.
These are just a few examples of the strides being made in accessibility across Canada’s national parks. The commitment to inclusivity is clear, and the efforts being made are ensuring that the joy of camping can be experienced by all, regardless of mobility.
However, while progress is being made, there is always room for improvement. It’s important for campers who use wheelchairs to share their experiences and provide feedback to help camping facilities continue to improve their accessibility.
As we look to the future, the hope is that all campers, regardless of their mobility, will be able to enjoy the great outdoors with ease and comfort. After all, the beauty of nature should be accessible to everyone.
So, whether you’re planning a camping trip in London, Ontario, or exploring the vast wilderness of Canada’s national parks, rest assured that wheelchair-accessible camping options are available. Happy camping!