5 Fun and Accessible Campgrounds

Travel more often with these easy-to-navigate, low-cost accommodations

Finding an accessible campground can make the difference for people who need mobility accommodations during a camping trip. Three Yosemite National Park campgrounds offer accessible campsites.

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Jaclyn Greenberg,

AARP

Published June 02, 2025

The rising costs of accommodations can be one of the biggest barriers to taking more trips. One way to keep travel more affordable is to consider the many campsites available across the U.S.

And since mobility accommodations are the most common travel needs for older adults, according to the latest AARP travel trends survey, these five great accessible campgrounds are easy to navigate for people with mobility challenges. You’ll be peacefully sleeping under the stars in no time.

Please note that advanced reservations are required at most of these parks.

Little Talbot Island State Park has two paved accessible campsites, one for RVs and one for tents.

Ryan Ketterman

Little Talbot Island State Park, Florida

Little Talbot Island State Park is a secluded barrier island in northeast Florida, 26 miles northeast of Jacksonville. Visitors can have fun swimming, fishing, bird watching, collecting shells, and viewing wildlife such as tortoises, armadillos, and marsh rabbits. The beach has 5 miles to explore, with two beach wheelchairs available.

There are two paved accessible campsites, one for an RV and one for tent camping, as well as paved paths that go to accessible restrooms with accessible shower stalls. Accommodations also include electric hookups, water hookups, grills, and picnic tables.

The paved Timucuan Trail has a wheelchair-friendly, 2.5-mile section. Kayaking tours and lessons are available for an additional fee. You can also bring your own kayak and access the hand launch ramp for a $1 launch fee.

The entrance cost is $5 per vehicle. Camping is $24 a night plus a nonrefundable $6.70 reservation fee and a $7 per night utility fee. Florida residents 65-plus or who are disabled may qualify for a discount.

Once you’re done camping, head to Jacksonville and check out the museums, the Riverside Arts Market, the Florida Theatre, and the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens.

camping tables near a body of water and trees

Tumalo State Park is 4 miles outside the town of Bend, Oregon. Visitors can camp, hike and fish for rainbow trout.

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Tumalo State Park, Oregon

Located in central Oregon, Tumalo State Park is 4 miles outside the town of Bend. Visitors can camp, hike, fish for rainbow trout, or float in the cool water. Two RV campsites, two tent campsites, and one yurt are wheelchair accessible with paved trails leading to accessible restrooms, paved parking, and an accessible picnic table and fire pit.

The park also has an accessible amphitheater. Riley Ranch Nature Reserve is 3 miles from Tumalo State Park and has a couple of accessible trails, including the Juniper Loop and Sage Flats Loop, which are directly accessible from the parking lot.

Campsite prices vary for Oregon residents, starting around $24 per night. As of July 1, 2025, non-residents will pay 25 percent more for all sites.

Campers can take a break from nature and drive to Bend, a mountain town, where they can enjoy shopping, museums, restaurants, craft breweries, and seasonal events.

John Dillon Park has nine accessible lean-tos, some of which have a fold-down bed.

Courtesy Paul Smiths College

John Dillon Park, New York

This accessible wilderness area is 17 miles south of Tupper Lake in New York State. The park has nine accessible lean-tos, some of which have a fold-down bed. They all have an accessible picnic table, fire pit, and electricity to charge electric wheelchairs.

Two fishing platforms in the region are accessible. You can bring a canoe or kayak, or ride in an electric pontoon boat. Enjoy their 3 miles of accessible trails and view wildlife such as loons and bald eagles.

There is no fee to enter John Dillon Park or to camp overnight.

John Dillon Park is part of the Adirondacks, which includes 6 million acres of wild land and is the largest publicly protected area in the contiguous United States.

For more nature fun, The Wild Center, a natural history museum, is 18 miles away, or enjoy stargazing at the Adirondack Sky Center & Observatory, which is 20 miles away.

Mather Campground, located on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, has 14 accessible sites as well as raised fire rings and accessible restrooms.

Courtesy Grand Canyon National Park Service

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Desert View Campground, which is at the east entrance of Grand Canyon National Park, has two accessible campsites close to the restrooms. Mather Campground, located on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, has 14 accessible sites as well as larger parking areas, raised fire rings, and accessible restrooms. Mather Point has wheelchair accessible views of the Grand Canyon.