California state parks are for everyone regardless of ability. Parks throughout the state have many trails or trails designed specifically for wheelchairs and other mobility differences in mind. For California State Parks Week, we’ve decided to compile a list of a few accessible trails in Northern, Central, and Southern California.
Northern California
Founders Grove Loop Trail at Humboldt Redwoods State Park (0.53 miles)
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This trail is a flat half mile loop that includes views of the Founder’s tree.
Fort Ross State Historic Park (0.3 miles)
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The primary path from the parking lot to the visitor’s center and around to the front entrance of the Fort is a flat (5% grade) accessible trail wide enough for a wheelchair. The visitor’s center and restrooms are also accessible for wheelchairs.
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The picnic areas at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park are accessible to wheelchairs as are several campsites and restrooms. The Creekside Nature Trail (0.44 miles) is flat (5% grade) and has accessible parking at the trailhead, though it can be a challenge if there is rain.
Bay Area
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Half Moon Bay State Beach’s Francis Beach Campground includes accessible sites. The Coastal Trail is also a flat (0-1% grade) 2.5-mile trail along the water which is shared with bikers.
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China Camp State Park features accessible campgrounds and the Shoreline Trail, a 1.5-mile accessible trail (5-10% grade) with fantastic views of the North Bay.
McLaughlin Eastshore State Park
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This park stretches along the I-80 in the East Bay and features an accessible path (part of the SF Bay Trail) shared with bikers.
Central California
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The western monarch butterfly grove is accessible with parking. The Coastal Access Trail also is mostly flat (5% grade) and provides some great views of the sand dunes.
Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park
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A fantastic park in terms of accessibility. The entire park sits on a flat plain (0-1% grade), including the campsites. Some of the buildings are accessible to wheelchair users but not all.
Calaveras Big Trees State Park
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This recently re-opened trail was designed specifically for visually impaired visitors. The trail was widened, new interpretive signs were added, and more benches and viewing platforms were placed throughout the trail.
Southern California
Los Angeles State Historic Park
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This urban park features many wheelchair-accessible paved pathways (0-1% grade) as well as parking and restrooms.
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The Bluff Top Multi Use Trail is a boardwalk style interpretive trail which includes parking at the trailhead. Crystal Cove also has beach wheelchairs available on a limited basis. Make sure to call the park ahead of time to inquire.
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
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Many of the museums and shops at this park are wheelchair-accessible as is the park itself. The park sits on a paved concrete surface as well with 0-5% grade.
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The native plant garden is wheelchair-accessible for wheelchair access as is the Discovery Center.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
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This massive state park includes many opportunities for accessible trail usage. Try out the Visitor’s Center Loop Trail, a 0.5-mile pathway (0-5% grade, one small section with 8% grade) that includes interpretive panels that also provide braille interpretation. There are also several accessible campsites.
This is not a comprehensive list, and there are other accessible parks in the system. Let us know if you have any suggestions and we will add them!