We firmly believe that the great outdoors should be accessible to everyone, regardless of physical limitations. For those in search of wheelchair-friendly or other adaptive adventures in Siskiyou, we’ve compiled a list of our top recommended spots and activities to ensure everyone can enjoy nature without barriers.
An 80-mile stretch between McCloud and Burney, offering beautiful views of Mount Shasta, Lake Britton, and lush forests. While the trail’s packed gravel and dirt surfaces can be a bit bumpy and more suitable for all-terrain style wheelchair users, some sections near McCloud and Burney are accessible with smoother paths and facilities. It’s a good idea to check specific trailheads for accessible parking and restrooms or check here for the latest accessibility info. Enjoy the adventure and the stunning scenery on this rewarding choose-your-own-adventure style multi-use trail.
Two officially accessible trails at this CA State Park are the Vista Trail and the Root Creek Trail. Both trails are located near one another and at the top of the mountain up a windy two-way, single-lane road. The two trails are firmly packed dirt and are wide enough for a wheelchair; no handrails are along this trail. An accessible vaulted toilet is also in the area. Additional information can be found here.
A dog-friendly, paved, looped trail, located under the bridge and along Upper Soda Springs in Dunsmuir. A portion of the trail veers directly to the river with a good paved platform.
Juanita Lake, in East Siskiyou, has 23 campsites and one 50-person group camp, a great spot for a reunion or group retreat! The 55-acre lake is regularly stocked with trout and has a bass and catfish population. The lake is circled by a handicapped-accessible, asphalt-paved trail, making it a great place to explore in a wheelchair. The full loop around the shoreline is about 1.5-miles. and perfect for biking, wheelchairs, and strollers. There are also two fishing jetties for easy access to the lake.
Nestled in the Scott Mountains of Klamath National Forest, this remote 21-acre lake sits at over 6,000 feet elevation, offering cooler summer temps and great fishing. The lake can be accessed by vehicle during the months of May-October. Camp at one of the 18 campsites, 2 of which are fully accessible and enjoy nature viewing, swimming, fishing and canoeing or non-motor boating. This is a wheelchair/ stroller accessible lake with paved paths that lead you right to the water’s edge and fishing platform.
This North Siskiyou campground is easily reached off Highway 96 and popular spot for river access of the Klamath. The campground has hard-packed surfaces and an accessible toilet. Near the river, there is a paved trail with a concrete ramp to the river. There is year-round access.
McCloud Falls offers varying levels of accessibility across its three main waterfalls. The Lower Falls are the most accessible, with a paved path from the parking area to the viewing platform, making it suitable for visitors with mobility challenges. This area also includes picnic tables, vault toilets, and parking for larger vehicles. The Middle Falls can be reached via an unpaved trail from the Lower Falls, which is not wheelchair accessible. While the Lower Falls offer the best accessibility, some trails to the Middle and Upper Falls may present challenges for those with mobility devices. The Upper Falls are accessible via a paved path to a viewing area with railings, an ADA restroom, and a rustic picnic table along the river. However, the area around the table and the river is not paved.
From the Wagon Creek Pedestrian Bridge, visitors can enjoy a scenic viewpoint of Lake Siskiyou. The trail here combines dirt hard pack, pine needles, and gravel, with a few short paved sections. Mobility devices with wide mountain bike-type tires or all-terrain rolling walkers should be able to navigate the trail with ease. Keep in mind, the trail is popular with hikers, dog walkers, runners, and horseback riders, so it’s important to stay aware of others. Some planning may be needed to determine the best route for you. Be sure to check out the Wagon Creek Bridge for great photo opportunities. More info can be found here.
Greenhorn Park in Yreka, offers several wheelchair-accessible features to ensure a comfortable experience for all visitors. A paved, wheelchair-friendly trail encircles the entire Greenhorn Reservoir, providing scenic views and easy navigation. The park also offers ample paved parking areas, including spaces suitable for trailers and RVs. Additionally, the restrooms at Greenhorn Park are newly constructed and ADA-compliant, ensuring accessibility for all visitors. Greenhorn Park also has an accessible fishing platform. More info can be found here.
The Medicine Lake Recreation Area in East Siskiyou offers some accessible features for visitors with mobility challenges. A paved path near the boat ramp provides a level, hard-packed surface suitable for wheelchairs and mobility devices, extending approximately a tenth of a mile along the shoreline and featuring picnic tables accessible from the trail. Campsites vary, with some offering paved surfaces and amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and barbecue grills, but the terrain may not be uniformly level or paved. Additionally, the restrooms in the campgrounds appear to be wheelchair accessible, though it’s advisable to confirm current conditions and accessibility features directly with the Modoc National Forest before planning your visit
Getting on the slopes is another awesome adventure that should be explored by everyone. Mt Shasta Ski Park has taken steps to make the mountain accessible to all offering handicapped parking, elevators, and an adaptive lesson program. The adaptive program offers lessons with experienced and trained instructors on both regular ski equipment, or on one of their many bi-skis for those that can’t use regular ski equipment. For those that are independent on a bi-ski, and don’t need a lesson, adaptive equipment is free to use with purchase of a lift ticket. In an effort to make skiing as accessible as possible, the Learning Center will work with each individual’s abilities and limitations and create a specialized experience. Pricing and schedule are subject to instructor availability, so connect with the Mt Shasta Learning Center to make all arrangements beforehand.
Mt Shasta City Park is committed to accessibility for all visitors. The park’s facilities include a large playground, picnic areas, sports fields. What’s particularly special is a natural spring coming out of the mountain that is suggested to be the headwaters of the Sacramento River, as discovered by John Muir. People pour in and out daily to fill up jugs of water for the spring’s healing properties. More info on Mt Shasta City park can be found here.
Located in the heart of downtown Mt. Shasta City, this trail loops around a beautiful meadow with great views of Mt. Shasta and the surrounding mountains. The short 1/4 mile trail is a mix of pavement and boardwalk with a low border and a few benches along the way. The boardwalk portion of the trail may be too narrow for some larger wheelchairs.
In addition to offering lakeside accessible RV and cabin accommodations, Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort has a restaurant, general store, and marina on site. Service Animals are always welcome, they have paved paths from the parking to beach area, the Lake Sis Grille and Restaurant, as well as restrooms. They rent a variety of fishing and patio boats, Kayaks and Paddle Boards so that everyone can have the lake day of their dreams. Rentals run Mid-May through Labor Day. Learn more on their website.
Stable Hands is a non-profit organization in Siskiyou County, California, dedicated to providing equine-assisted activities and therapy (EAAT) for individuals with disabilities. Their mission is to empower people to overcome physical, mental, and emotional challenges through adaptive horseback riding. Check their website for programs offered.
This MTB outfitter and guide company offers bike accessible areas for mountain biking and private clinics at Shastice Park on the old tennis courts. They also offer waterfall and E-bike tours with shuttle services leaving from Mount Shasta. Reach out to Shasta Gravity to create your own custom experience.
The YMCA in Yreka offers many features that are accessible to folks with a variety of disabilities. To start, the whole facility is wheelchair accessible. There are many adaptive and standard exercise machines that individuals can use at various levels of abilities. One machine that is very accessible are the two recumbent bikes in the above photo. There are also fitness classes that are done primarily sitting down, such as “Sit & Be Fit”, and “Chair Strength & Stretching”. There is also a new playground designed to bring children of all abilities together and features a wheelchair swing! Check out the Siskiyou Family YMCA for more info on programs, classes, and other accessible experiences they have to offer
We are ever evolving and strive to share the most accurate and current information on this topic. If you know of an adaptive adventure in Siskiyou that we haven’t listed and would like to contribute to this feature, please email us at hello@discoversiskiyou.com.
Use of photos and some content kindly provided by Ashley Lyn Olson. Check out Wheelchair Traveling and read about Ashley’s adventures in California’s North and beyond.
We firmly believe that the great outdoors should be accessible to everyone, regardless of physical limitations. For those in search of wheelchair-friendly or other adaptive adventures in Siskiyou, we’ve compiled a list of our top recommended spots and activities to ensure everyone can enjoy nature without barriers.
