Editorial note: this information is current as of the publication date, but be aware that availability of assistive devices may change from season to season or for other reasons. It’s always best to call ahead or visit listed websites before your visit.
Outdoor enthusiasts can find a number of destinations across Oregon ideal for accessible adventures. Visitors to the Oregon Coast can especially enjoy even more accessibility and inclusivity at its state parks — and more upgrades are on the horizon. Here are some of the ways you can enjoy the Oregon Coast, no matter your abilities.
Reach the Beach With Mobi-Mats and Adaptive Wheelchairs
Miles of sandy shores act as the setting for both zen moments and fun memories splashing in the waves. Visitors to Seaside, Lincoln City and Beverly Beach State Park near Newport can enjoy the use of Mobi-mats — a sidewalk-wide ribbon of firm, nonslip plastic placed atop the sand — which allow people using wheelchairs and strollers to access the beach. In summer 2024, workers installed mats in Gold Beach and Florence, as well as in Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, where 145 feet of mats grant visitors access to tide pools at low tide.
Towns including Seaside, Manzanita, Pacific City, Rockaway Beach and Lincoln City have adaptive wheelchairs that visitors can rent or check out for free. Near Coos Bay, you can borrow a free wheelchair at Shore Acres State Park to enjoy the magnificent gardens and flowers along paths and overlooks.
And in Seaside, Manzanita, Netarts, Pacific City, Newport, Florence, Coos Bay and Gold Beach, visitors may request free use of a David’s Chair — a sturdy device with tank-like treads that allows people with mobility challenges to access the sandy beach. Outdoorsman David Hatrick came up with the idea to make these chairs publicly available at no cost after being diagnosed with ALS in 2017, passing away 18 months later. Now the nonprofit group offers the track chairs both at designated locations and on a “tow-and-go” basis. See the website for booking and all current options and locations.
Enjoy the Water From ADA-Accessible Boat Launches
Paddling is an activity that everyone should try at least once, and the Oregon Coast is home to a number of spots that make the activity an option for everybody. You’ll find accessible kayak launches on the Necanicum River in Seaside, on the Nehalem River at the Wheeler Marina, on Tillamook Bay at the Port of Garibaldi Marina and on Hoquarton Slough at Sue H. Elmore Park in Tillamook. There are also numerous accessible fishing docks, including a covered one inside the North Nehalem Hatchery.
Between Florence and Reedsport, the Tahkenitch Landing Boat Ramp is accessible to wheelchair users for both boat access and fishing. You can find more kayak launches at William M. Tugman State Park south of Reedsport, as well as at John Topits Park near Coos Bay.
Oregon State Parks also partners with Adventures Without Limits, which provides custom recreation experiences for people of all abilities, including accessible kayak events and overnight camping trips.
Get Out in Nature on Accessible Trails
There are a number of accessible trails throughout Oregon, and the Coast is no exception. The Astoria Riverwalk runs for 6 miles over pavement and boardwalk along the Columbia River. On the Central Coast, Newport’s Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area offers a paved three-quarter-mile path to the lighthouse and interpretive center. The Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, south of Yachats, has a number of wheelchair-accessible paths perfect for enjoying the sweeping ocean views and lush rainforest habitat. Darlingtonia State Natural Site, north of Florence, has a boardwalk path so visitors can easily witness the 18 acres of rare plants.
Inclusive Restrooms and More Improvements
You may have noticed that many Oregon State Parks are phasing out multistall, gender-specific restroom facilities and installing more single-occupancy, gender-neutral restrooms. Nehalem Bay State Park and South Beach State Park have converted unused laundry facilities into fully accessible and single-occupancy restrooms large enough to maneuver a wheelchair or other mobility equipment. Note that Nehalem Bay State Park will be closed from November 2024 to June 2025, during which they’ll add more accessible campsites, among other renovations.
In upcoming years, visitors to the Coast can soon expect to see more accessible amenities. For instance, the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport just updated their touch tide pool experience, making it wheelchair accessible. You’ll also find accessible more parking areas, picnic areas, campsites, paths and trails, as well as benches along trails — all part of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s ADA Transition Plan. To learn about the accessibility of each state park you plan to visit, check out the park’s webpage and look for the “Tour Accessible Features” option.
