ADA and Wheelchair Accessible Beaches in Michigan

Find ADA and Wheelchair Accessible Beaches in Michigan

If you’re looking for wheelchair accessibility to the natural beauty of Michigan’s beaches, forests, lakes and rivers, there’s some good news.

Many of Michigan’s state parks and municipalities have made accessibility a priority, with some offering wheelchair accessible ramps; wide, paved pathways; mobility mats and even beach or track wheelchairs.

Michigan’s freshwater shoreline is meant to enjoyed by beach-goers of all abilities, and an increasing number of destinations support this by including accessibility features in both new designs and updates.

Each location on the Michigan Interactive Travel and Beach Map includes detailed information about ADA and Wheelchair accessible beaches and attractions.

Be sure to explore each section for up-to-date information.

Read on to find information about accessibility to pure Michigan beauty.

Michigan State Parks With Wheelchair Access

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has updated many of their facilities for increased access to a variety of recreational opportunities including fishing, hunting, kayaking and camping in addition to improved beach access.

You can find more information on accessibility at Michigan State Parks.

The following beaches provide either a stable surface to allow easier access to the waterfront, a beach access chair (a lightweight all-terrain wheelchair that can also go into the water) or both.

*Denotes beaches with a beach access chair available

Beach Wheelchairs

In addition to the beach and track wheelchairs Some Michigan beaches offer Mobi-Chairs, floating beach wheelchairs that allow an easy transition from boardwalk-to-beach-to-water.

Other beaches and some Michigan State Parks offer beach or Track Wheelchairs free of charge for easy accessibility.

Use the Michigan Interactive Beach and Travel Map to learn about these seven locations with beaches that offer Beach Wheelchairs:

• Harbor Springs-Petoskey
• Grand Haven
• Ludington
• Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
• South Haven
• St. Joseph
• Tawas

Benzie County Joy2Ride Biking Trails

Beautiful Benzie County, in northern Michigan near the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, is bordered on one side by lake Michigan and is home to over 100 lakes and ponds.

This scenic area is also home to the Betsie Valley Trail. The Betsie Valley Trail is for everyone, and Benzie County residents have made accessibility to this beautiful nature trail a priority.

Joy2Ride Benzie is community volunteer program allowing individuals who are physically unable to pedal/ride a bike, the opportunity to enjoy the trail using a specially designed wheelchair bike and volunteer “pilots.”

The trail is a stunningly beautiful journey through northern Michigan at its best.

If you’re planning to visit the Betsie Valley area, be sure and check out our top-ranked guide to Frankfort Michigan here.

Track Wheelchairs at Michigan State Parks

Track wheelchairs help visitors explore areas of the park that challenge even the toughest traditional wheelchair.

These off-road, electronic chairs can easily handle trails, snow, sand and up to eight inches of water. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis at no cost.

A number of these wheelchairs were donated by Kali’s Cure for Paralysis.

Michigan State Park locations with Track Wheelchairs include:

BELLE ISLE PARK

Available July 1 to October 31 (Mondays through Fridays). Other times/dates can be arranged if needed. Use of the track chair is free of charge, and is available on a first-come, first-reserved basis. Donated by Kali’s Cure.

Get details on how to reserve the track chair at Belle Isle here. You can also use our guide to exploring Belle Isle for more to see.

ISLAND LAKE RECREATION AREA

The park will have a new track chair beginning Sept. 21, 2019. Additional information regarding the program and how to reserve the chair will be coming soon. Donated by Friends of Island Lake Recreation Area.

Get details on how to reserve the track chair at Island Lake

MAYBURY STATE PARK

Available June 1 to October 31 (Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Use of the track chair is free of charge, and is available on a first-come, first-reserved basis. Donated by Kali’s Cure.

Get details on how to reserve the track chair at Maybury

MUSKEGON STATE PARK

Available May 1 to October 31 (Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Other times/dates can be arranged if needed. Use of the track chair is free of charge, and is available on a first-come, first-reserved basis. Donated by Kali’s Cure.

Get details on how to reserve the track chair at Muskegon

TAHQUAMENON FALLS STATE PARK

Every season is track chair season! Available to borrow on Saturdays in February, and by reservation the rest of the winter. Use of the track chair is free of charge, and is available on a first-come, first-reserved basis. Donated by Kali’s Cure.

Get details on how to reserve the track chair at Tahquamenon Falls

WATERLOO RECREATION AREA

The track chair can be reserved year-round from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Other times can be arranged if needed. Donated by Kali’s Cure.

Get details on how to reserve the track chair at Waterloo

Three TOP ADA and Wheelchair Accessible Michigan Beaches

Grand Haven State Park
Located along Lake Michigan and the Grand River, the shores of Grand Haven State Park are ideal for watching a peaceful sunset over a lighthouse.

The park includes an accessible playground, fishing pier, beach houses, picnic shelters, and specially equipped sand wheelchairs that are available for use on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Ludington State Park 
The picturesque sand dunes, beaches, and forests of Ludington State Park are destination favorites for many Michiganders.

Stearns Park Beach, in particular, is well known for offering accessible walkways along the beach, allowing anyone who has trouble walking in the sand to go from the parking lot to the water.

In addition to that, Ludington State Park offers handicap accessible campgrounds, fishing piers, trails, picnic areas, and more.

Oscoda Beach Park
Oscoda Beach Park provides excellent accessibility to it’s sprawling Lake Huron beachfront with wide, paved pathways and well-maintained wooden ramps and boardwalk.

With approximately 1,000 feet of Lake Huron frontage, the park includes a splash pad, skateboard park, a small basketball court, a band shell, a pavilion, children’s play equipment, picnic tables and grills, benches, a bathhouse with restrooms and a paved parking area.

It’s all handicapped accessible and easily navigable.

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