A brand-new resource is out for anyone who loves the outdoors but needs accessible hiking options. Accessible Adventures: A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to 5 Washington State Parks is now available as a free digital download. The guide is packed with helpful details about accessible trails and activities in Washington state parks.
The guide was written by Syren Nagakyrie, the Founder and Director of Disabled Hikers, and was created with support and funding from the Washington State Parks Foundation. The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission also played a key role, helping choose which parks to feature. They focused on parks near major population centers so that more disabled hikers can easily visit them.
John Floberg, Executive Director of the Foundation, said in the press release that “many people lack basic tools and resources to access state parks, and this is one important step we’re taking to change that.”
The guide focuses on these five popular Washington state parks:
- Dash Point State Park
- Federation Forest State Park
- Flaming Geyser State Park
- Lake Sammamish State Park
- Saltwater State Park
Inside, you’ll find first-hand descriptions of wheelchair-accessible trails, along with details about accessible picnic areas, beaches, and interpretive centers. It also covers important accessibility info like trail grades, surface types, and possible obstacles for people using wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility aids. Plus, there’s practical info on parking access, restroom locations, maps, and water.
These five parks are just the beginning. The team hopes this project will inspire similar accessibility efforts in other Washington state parks in the future.
“A Disabled Hiker’s Guide to 5 Washington State Parks represents a shift to centering Disabled people’s experience and expertise in the outdoors,” says Nagakyrie. “By providing detailed information that considers a variety of accessibility needs, visitors can make more informed choices and better prepare for their state park adventures. Improving access and belonging through Disabled leadership is central to our work at Disabled Hikers, and this project is one example of how important that is. I hope this guide is the first of many for Washington State Parks.”
If you’d like to access or share the guide, it’s available now as a free digital download on the Washington State Parks Foundation website.