Guide to Accessible Outdoor Recreation in Vermont
This page is your quick-start directory for finding accessible trails, equipment, and stories from people leading the way in accessible outdoor recreation across Vermont.
Find Accessible Trails on These Platforms
Trail Finder
Vermont’s go-to resource for discovering Access(ible) Experieces whether by foot, chair, adaptive bike, or paddle. Find important details like surface, width, grade, parking, and cell service. Postings are being updated and added regularly.
Trail Forks
Global trail database with detailed maps and profiles. Includes some adaptive mountain biking routes in Vermont.
VMBA
Unified voice for MTB advocacy and education in Vermont and parent nonprofit to 28 Chapters that collectively steward over 900 miles of trail. VMBA is actively assessing and supporting the creation of adaptive mountain biking trails (aMtb) in Vermont, and hosts a guide on available aMTB experiences.
All Trails
App-based trail guide with reviews, photos, and filters. Accessibility info. varies, but community comments can help with planning.
ADA Map
A Google map of ADA recreation spots. The map also includes locations of Vermont Adaptive and Ski Sports, where various types of adaptive sports, such as skiing and sailing, are offered.
How you can help more people get outside:
- Leave detailed comments on trail platforms about your accessibility experience so other trail users can learn from you.
- If you’re a trail manager, be sure trails have information like slope, width, surface, and amenities. These make a real difference in helping people feel confident. Learn more about how to write a trail description.
Get Outdoors with Support
These organizations can help you find programs, gear, and community:
Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports
Year-round adaptive sports programs with volunteer support and mentorship opportunities.
Kelly Brush Foundation
Grants and support for adaptive sports equipment.
Createability
Accessible aquatic equipment.
Angleoar
Adaptive paddling gear.
Grit Freedom Chair
An all-terrain wheelchair for trails.
Bikes for Everybody
Adaptive mountain bikes (aMTB).
Explore Trip Recommendations
5 Accessible Outdoor Recreation Experiences
This curated list from the Vermont Department of Tourism offers up some of central Vermont’s top accessible outdoor recreation activities and experiences.
Trip Ideas for Accessible Travel
This statewide selection includes trails, boardwalks, museums, historic sites, and stunning mountain views, accessible for all.
Accessible Trail List by Car and Wheelchair
A selection of scenic vistas accessible by car, and a sample of new and interesting wheelchair-accessible trails.
Discover Accessible Trails in Vermont!
Get Connected
Meet some of the people redefining what it means to enjoy Vermont’s outdoors.
Cory Lee
Wheelchair travel content creator with Instagram and YouTube. See his fall trip to Vermont.
Enock Glidden
Adaptive athlete sharing trail blogs on Trail Finder and on his website.
Photo credit: Enock Glidden
Allie
A journey on navigating the world from a new perspective as an adaptive athlete after sustaining a spinal cord injury.
Allie also shared about her experience in a Trail Accessibility Hub video.
“I am blind, and it feels like a sense of freedom being on a trail that is safe and not having to worry.”
— Derek Flint (listen to his audio story)
Explore blogs and articles about Vermont’s outdoor accessibility.
Trail Talk
First-hand accessibility experiences and trail reviews in blog and audio format.
Vermont Wheelchair Travel
A page of tips and firsthand accounts.
Living life to the fullest
An article from Vermont Land Trust about making outdoor spaces more accessible and inclusive.
“I love to get outside, especially with my kids, and having [resources] so I can find new places that I didn’t know about before is invaluable. Now my kids can see that I can get outside and be active just like anyone else, and we don’t come upon an obstacle that makes it impossible for us to continue.”
— Kelly Brush, Kelly Brush Foundation, wheelchair user
