Recreation - Accessibility
The Sierra National Forest is located on
the western slope of the central Sierra
Nevada 50 miles east of Fresno, California.
Its 1.3
million acres extend from the Merced River
south to the Kings River east to the Crest
of the Sierra Nevada. Forest terrain ranges
from
gently rolling, oak-covered foothills along
the San Joaquin Valley to the rugged majestic
snow capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada
Crest.
The three major access routes are State
Highway 41, State Highway 140 accessing
the northern half of the Forest, and
State Highway 168 accessing the southern
half.
The Sierra has 11 reservoirs, 528,000
acres of designated wilderness, over
60 campgrounds, two wild and scenic rivers
and 1,100 miles of trails. The Sierra
National Forest provides an array of
recreational opportunities.
A continuing goal of the Forest is to
provide as many accessible opportunities
to persons with disabilities so that
all will be able to share in the common
day-to-day experiences that non-disabled
take for granted. Although many areas
have wheelchair accessible campsites
and/or rest rooms, a greater number of
sites are being made accessible.
NATIONAL FOREST PASSES
Federally issued Golden Age ($10 one-time
fee) and Golden Access (free) Passports
are honored at all National Forest facilities.
Passports can be obtained in person at
National Forest offices.
These permits allow discounts on campground
fees and free entrance to all National
parks.
STATE OF CALIFORNIA PASSES
The State of California offers "Disabled
Discount Pass" for discounts to
State Park facilities and free fishing
licenses for the disabled. Contact your
nearest California Department of Fish
and Game Office for a free annual fishing
license or contact the Sacramento Office
at:
Dept. of Fish and Game
1416 9th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Contact your nearest California Department
of Parks and Recreation office for a "Disabled
Discount Pass", or write the Sacramento
Office at:
Dept. of Parks and Recreation
1416 9th Street
Box 942896
Sacramento, CA 94296-0001
Cost is a one-time fee of $3.50. This
gives you a 50% discount on all State
Park fees.
CAMPGROUND RESERVATIONS
For your convenience, selected campgrounds
on the Sierra National Forest offer sites
that may be reserved. Reservations are
advised for all selected National Forest
campgrounds
during peak seasons. The peak
season for most campgrounds is Memorial
Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
Reservations are available by contacting:
National Recreation Reservation Service
1-877-444-6777
TDD 1-877-833-6777
www.ReserveUSA.com
ACCESSIBLE AREAS
Areas that are currently wheelchair
accessible are listed below (not all
locations/facilities are 100% accessible).
Due to road
and weather conditions, not all locations
are available year round. We invite you
to explore the opportunities available
on the Sierra
National Forest, and your comments and
suggestions are appreciated. Please mail
comments
to:
Sierra National Forest
1600 Tollhouse Road
Clovis CA 93611
BASS LAKE AREA
Four family campgrounds, one group
campground and one group day-use area
are located on the south side of the
lake. Sites have accessible
toilets and some have accessible campsites,
but some roads within campgrounds are
steep.
Lupine-Cedar Bluff Campground -
the newest campground at Bass Lake. It
has paved roads and accessible sites
and toilets.
Recreation Point -
at the north end of the lake. Only picnic
site that has a paved road and trail
to accessible toilets.
Wishon Boat Launch -
at the south end of the lake by the dam,
is paved and has an accessible toilets,
but no paved trail to the beach area.
Accessible boat loading ramp is available.
BEASORE ROAD
Cold Springs Summit -
accessible restroom available.
COURTRIGHT RESERVOIR AREA
Trapper Springs Campground -
located three miles north of the boat
launch facility. Restrooms and designated
accessible sites are available. This
is a first come, first served campground.
Wee-Mee-Kute - accessible
picnic areas with restrooms 2 1/2 miles
north of the boat launch facility.
Maxson Trailhead -
located across Courtright Dam has great
scenery and an accessible restroom. Horse
loading ramp is available.
DINKEY CREEK AREA
Trails End Picnic Area -
a very popular and scenic area located
at the end of the road along Dinkey Creek.
Accessible tables and restrooms are available.
Dinkey Creek Campground -
numerous sites with flat surfaces for
camping. Restrooms have not been upgraded
to accommodate wheelchairs. Motor homes
of various sizes can be easily accommodated.
McKinley Grove Botanical Area -
located six miles past Dinkey Creek on
McKinley Grove Road. An accessible paved
nature trail winds through the towering
Giant Sequoias. Picnic and accessible
restroom facilities are available.
HIGH SIERRA AREA
Kaiser Pass Road -
accessible toilet is available at the
turnoff to White Bark Vista.
High Sierra Area Campgrounds -
flat campsites with accessible restrooms
can be found at Mono Hot Springs and
Mono Creek campground. Fishing and swimming
opportunities are possible for those
who enjoy challenges and others who can
get a little help from a friend.
Jackass Campground -
almost all of the 50 campsites in this
campground are flat and compacted for
the use of wheelchairs, crutches and
other mobility assisting devices. Though
not meeting accessibility standards,
picnic tables and fire grills at each
campsite have been found to be useable
by most visitors. Jackass Meadow Interpretive
Trail, a 2000-foot, accessible plank
boardwalk is available near the campground.
HUNTINGTON LAKE AREA
There are various levels of access
to the lakeshore; many may require assistance
depending on your strength. These access
points can be used for fishing, sightseeing,
swimming and boating.
DAM III at Huntington Lake -
located at the west end of the lake.
To reach the dam by car, follow the Huntington
Lake Road along the north shore.
Parking is limited, with a few parking
spaces close to the dam on compacted
dirt or pavement. Other parking can be
found along turnouts on the adjacent
roadway. The dam is accessible with a
paved surface and a safety cable at the
waters edge.
Huntington Lake Campgrounds -
most accessible areas are Deer Creek,
Kinnikinnick, and Catavee.
Bear Cove Picnic Site -
has accessible sites and a paved trail.
The trail traverses from Bear Cove to
Deer Creek campground.
Huntington Lake Boat Launch -
roads and parking areas are paved. Accessible
boat loading ramp and restrooms are available.
KINGS RIVER AREA
Kirch Flat Campground -
on the north side of the river. Close
enough to the river for watching and
listening to the roar of the rapids from
accessible campsites. Accessible restrooms
are provided in the group site. No potable
water is available.
Kings River - accessible
toilets at Camp 4 1/2, Camp 4, Mill Creek
and at Garnet Dike. Several compacted
dirt sites are along the river that may
be accessible depending on your strength
and need for assistance. Come take a
drive and view the array of wildflowers
in the spring.
MERCED RIVER
Dirt Flat & Dry Gulch Campgrounds -
have accessible toilets.
McClendons Beach,
and Cranberry Launch have
accessible toilets.
Indian Flat Day Use -
has accessible toilets.
SHAVER LAKE AREA
Boat Launch - accessible
boat ramp is available at the Sierra
Marina boat launch facilities.
Camp Edison Campground -
has accessible campsites and restrooms.
Operated by Southern California Edison.
For information contact (559) 841-3134.
SIERRA VISTA NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAY
Ross Cabin - a 150
year-old cabin near Clearwater Forest
Service Station along Forest Highway
81, north of North Fork. The Cabin is
not wheelchair accessible but the parking
area has an accessible toilet.
Mile High Vista - a
spectacular stop along the Sierra Vista
Scenic Byway revealing the Crest of the
Sierra and the headwaters of the San
Joaquin River, has paved parking lot
and accessible restrooms.
WISHON RESERVOIR AREA
Wishon Reservoir -
has several picnic and fishing access
points along the west side of Wishon
Lake. All restrooms are accessible, however
picnic sites and fishing routes may not
be accessible depending on your strength
and need for assistance.
Upper Kings - located
on the south side of the road. Provides
fishing that is accessible at the base
of Wishon Dam. Group camping area available
with some flat sites and accessible restrooms.
PG&E maintains this campground, for
reservations please call, (559) 263-5203.
Lily Pad Campground -
located on the north side of the road.
Designated accessible sites and restrooms
available. OFF HIGHWAY VEHICLE ROUTES
Red Mountain - provides
access to remote and pristine areas of
the Forest. The 4-wheel drive trails,
with various challenge levels, take you
to five different lakes where primitive
camping is available. The most accessible
opportunities for camping, fishing and
other recreation are at Red and Coyote
Lakes where access to lakeshores is somewhat
flat and unobstructed.
Note: Access to Coyote
Lake does require a short wheel base
vehicle. Toilets at all lakes will accommodate
a wheelchair. Maps and additional information
are available at Forest
Offices.
VISITOR INFORMATION
For more information on areas listed
in this brochure, please contact offices
listed below:
Sierra National Forest Headquarters
1600 Tollhouse Road
Clovis, CA 93611
(559) 297-0706/TDD (559) 322-0425
Bass Lake Ranger District
57003 Road 225
North Fork, CA 93643 (559) 877-2218
High Sierra Ranger District
PO Box 559
Prather, CA 93651
(559) 855-5360/TDD (559) 855-5367
Mariposa Interagency Visitor's
Bureau
PO Box 747
Mariposa, CA 95338
(209) 966-3638
Yosemite/Sierra Visitor's Bureau
40637 Hwy 41
Oakhurst, CA 93644
(559) 658-7588
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