Pennsylvania bursts with accessible indoor attractions, from the Carnegie Museum of Natural History to Independence Hall. Those seeking sunnier accessible adventures are also spoiled for choice when it comes to outdoor activities.
Grab your sense of adventure, slather on your sunscreen, and let's explore the accessible outdoor experiences PA has to offer!
1. Accessible Trails in Pennsylvania
Fresh air, sunshine, and wildlife — there's nothing better than wandering through PA's natural landscapes. Prepare for Mother Nature to dazzle as you meander along these accessible trails.
Allegheny National Forest
Allegheny National Forest (ANF) holds the title of being PA's only national forest. Located in northwestern PA, It spans more than 514,000 acres and is home to a host of flora and fauna. ANF also supplies around one-third of the world's black cherry furniture veneer!
The forest has two accessible trails:
- Shawmut Trail: This partially accessible 2-mile trail wanders along Marvin Creek through luscious meadows, woods, and farmland. It starts near Marvin Creek Bridge and ends close to the Poor Farm and Country Home. The trail has parking that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- Timberdoodle Flats Interpretive Trail: What is a "timberdoodle," you ask? Why, it's the endearing nickname for the American woodcock. If you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of this native bird! The 0.5-mile Bluebird Loop and the 1.25-mile Woodcock Loop have flat, hardened trails.
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Nothing says "nature" quite like a flowing river, and the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (DWGNRA) in northeast PA is home to 40 miles of it! The Middle Delaware River is the longest east of the Mississippi. This scenic area offers a couple of universal access trails:
- Dingmans Creek Trail: Follow the trail through rhododendrons, hemlock, and hardwood trees. Individuals using wheelchairs can access the first 0.3 miles of this trail, and accessible restrooms are available at the trailhead. The final 0.1 miles involve stairs.
- Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC): Take a peek at PEEC's Trail for Everyone. Ramble at your leisure along this flat 0.2-mile trail, stopping at the many benches and interactive activities. PEEC also includes a rope-lined Sensory Trail ideal for those with vision- or hearing-related disabilities.
Individuals with low vision can enjoy audio descriptions of some of DWGNRA's trailside exhibits. Cell service can get spotty, so download the files ahead of time!
Erie National Wildlife Refuge
The only thing "eerie" about northwestern PA's Erie National Wildlife Refuge is its haunting beauty. More than 40% of the land is made up of wetland habitats, so expect to see beavers, birds, and waterfowl. Visit the 0.26-mile Deer Run Accessible Spur Trail, which leads to an observation deck where you can sit back and watch the wildlife. An accessible parking area and a 4-foot-wide boardwalk provide easy access.
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum
Another refuge worth visiting is the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum in Philadelphia, known as America's First Urban Refuge. This green space protects PA's biggest remaining freshwater tidal marsh. The 0.10-mile accessible Big Boardwalk Loop Trail offers a magnificent view of the landscape.
2. Accessible State Parks in Pennsylvania
Now, we move from forests and wildlife refuges to parks. PA is home to a whopping 124 state parks, all of which you can enjoy for free! Covering all the accessible parks would take time, so we rounded up some of the best.
Black Moshannon State Park
Discover diverse ecology in central PA. Nestled in the park's 3,394 acres of forest and wetlands, you will find the half-mile Bog Trail. While the name might not scream "scenic charm," a boardwalk lets you explore an ecosystem teeming with plants and wildlife.
Visitors with red-green color vision deficiency can look for the viewfinder fit with a special EnChroma colorblind lens at the fishing pier off Westside Road. The lens helps to boost color and vibrancy.
Ohiopyle State Park
Ohiopyle State Park offers accessible outdoor activities for the adventurous! For an unparalleled view of the “Niagara Falls of Western Pennsylvania”, go from the parking lot to the observation area. The wheelchair-friendly uppermost deck has a paved walkway around the rim of the Falls. You can get a different view from inside the ADA-accessible Ohiopyle State Park Visitor Center.
Cook Forest State Park
This northwestern PA park is home to Forest Cathedral, a National Natural Landmark. But what makes it even more worthwhile is PA's first ADA-accessible sensory trail. The Cook Forest Sensory Trail is a 0.2-mile paved loop tailored to people with mobility or vision-related disabilities.
Presque Isle State Park
Do you like to go on longer adventures? If you're passing through Erie County, pay a visit to the Karl Boyes Multi-Purpose National Recreation Trail. The trail offers a 13.5-mile paved path along Presque Isle Bay and Lake Erie that is accessible according to the ADA.
3. Accessible Outdoor Activities in PA
In addition to PA's many parks and reserves, the city brims with alternative accessible outdoor experiences.
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
When you see the words "global raptor conservation," you might think you've wandered into "Jurassic Park." Fret not, "raptor" is just another name for a bird of prey. Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in northeastern PA is the world's first bird of prey conservancy. The 2,600-acre sanctuary observes, researches, and educates. You can explore three accessible routes:
- South Lookout: Individuals with motorized and manual wheelchairs can travel this leveled trail. Check out River of Rocks, an Ice Age boulder field below the lookout point.
- Silhouette Trail: This 900-foot-long trail offers an alternative path to South Lookout.
- Native Habitat Garden: Take in the diverse trees, flowers, and other plant life at the Native Habitat Garden. You might also catch sight of critters like turtles, frogs, and more than 40 butterfly species.
Through partnering with Kutztown University's Visual Impairment Program and The Braille Bears, the sanctuary is accessible to those with low vision. Signs feature Braille and scannable QR codes. Staff also receive training on how to guide those with visual disabilities through the trails.
Elk Country Visitor Center
Have you ever wanted to get up close and personal with the majestic elk? Hold onto your antlers because the Elk Country Visitor Center lets you do just that! You can find the center in Benezette, located in north-central PA.
Elk are the second-largest members of the deer family, and they roam the valleys and mountains of the aptly named Elk County. The Visitor Center includes three wheelchair-accessible trails leading to viewing areas. The trails also include interpretive displays to learn more about the animals, plants, and ecosystem.
Choose from the following trails:
- Vista Trail: This trail is the shortest at 120 yards. It ends at a viewing area with a wall that overlooks a clearing and offers educational boards along the way.
- Meadow Trail: You can start at the back of the Visitor Center for a 300-yard trail. You can also cut through the parking lot to reach the elevated viewing deck faster. Viewing windows at chair height makes it easier to see the elk.
- Buckaneezer Hollow Trail: The main walkway for this trail is 360 yards. It offers different paths around the center with three walled viewing areas. Buckaneezer Hollow overlooks a field that provides great elk-viewing opportunities.
Explore More That PA Has to Offer!
For more outdoor adventures in Pennsylvania, check out the VISIT PA website. Follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, and TikTok for more accessible PA experiences. Don't forget to never miss an update or sign up for our monthly PA travel e-newsletter.