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Accessible Camping and Cabins

Open the Outdoors

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is committed to providing outdoor recreation opportunities for people of all abilities around the state, which includes camping. Accessible Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) campsites and cabins (in select locations) are available to persons with disabilities. ADA campsites typically have a paved driveway and paved pathway leading to an accessible running water restroom/shower building. There are also eight barrier-free cabins and two rustic cabins available throughout the state reserved for individuals with more needs that make traditional camping too difficult.

Accessible Cabins

The accessible log cabin nestled in the forested campground at Mirror Lake State Park.
The accessible log cabin nestled in the forested campground at Mirror Lake State Park.

There are ten accessible cabins in various Wisconsin state parks to provide a more comfortable overnight experience for disabled park visitors.

There are rustic cabins at Copper Falls and Blue Mound state parks and larger cabins with more amenities at Mirror Lake, Buckhorn, Harrington Beach, High Cliff, Kohler-Andrae, and Potawatomi state parks, Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit, and the Richard Bong State Recreation Area. These cabins are available only to people with disabilities and their guests and must be reserved ahead of time.

ACCESSIBLE YURT

An ADA-accessible yurt is now available for hunters in Flambeau River State Forest in Sawyer County. The Elk Ridge yurt is available to hunters until Nov. 30. It will reopen on May 1 for the spring turkey seasons and then, from June 1 through Aug. 31, the yurt is reservable for all recreation purposes. The yurt offers nearby access to hunter walking trails and a carry-in canoe/kayak launch on the Flambeau River. The yurt can also be accessed directly from the Flambeau River.

Accessible Campsites

Accessible campsite with an asphalt camping pad, accessible picnic table, fire ring and electric pedestal at Kohler-Andrae State Park.
Accessible campsite with an asphalt camping pad, accessible picnic table, fire ring and electric pedestal at Kohler-Andrae State Park.

Accessible campsites are available to persons with disabilities. Accessible sites typically have a paved driveway and pathway leading to an accessible toilet/shower building or restroom facility with running water. These sites are intended for visitors with qualifying conditions and their families/guests. The disabled visitor must be an occupant of the site during the entire reservation period.

Site descriptions and photos of many sites are available on the Wisconsin State Parks reservation website and may show maximum vehicle length, driveway length, site access and other details.

Accessible Canoe Campsites

Accessible canoe campsite with a crushed red gravel camping surface, accessible fire ring and accessible picnic table, surrounded by trees along the shoreline of the Turtle-Flambeau Scenic Waters Area.
Accessible canoe campsite with a crushed red gravel camping surface, accessible fire ring and accessible picnic table, surrounded by trees along the shoreline of the Turtle-Flambeau Scenic Waters Area.

For the more adventurous person looking for an authentic wilderness experience, we encourage you to try our accessible canoe campsites. The Chippewa Flowage and Turtle-Flambeau Scenic Waters Area feature these sites, which are both rugged and highly scenic. Each site is unique and can be reserved by contacting the property manager.

Chippewa Flowage camping

There are 18 primitive island campsites at the Chippewa Flowage property available for public use. One campsite, Cedar Tops West, has been improved with accessible facilities and can be reserved by persons with disabilities by contacting the property manager at the Hayward DNR Office. If not occupied by a reservation, this campsite is also open on a first-come, first-served basis. See the property camping map for more information.

For questions and comments about the Chippewa Flowage, contact:

Property Manager
Department of Natural Resources
10220 N State Highway 27S
Hayward WI 54843
715-634-7433

Turtle-Flambeau Scenic Waters Area camping

There are 58 sites scattered throughout the Turtle-Flambeau Scenic Water Area property designated as family campsites. All are accessed via boat only. One of the family sites includes facilities that make it more accessible to persons with physical disabilities. This is site number "A1" on the property map.

This site can be reserved by persons with disabilities at no charge by contacting the property manager at the Mercer Ranger Station. If the site is not occupied by a reservation, this campsite is also open for free on a first-come, first-served basis.

For questions and comments about the Turtle-Flambeau Scenic Waters Area, contact:

Property Manager
Department of Natural Resources
5291 N. Statehouse Circle
Mercer, Wisconsin 54547
715-614-5120