Trip Ideas & Itineraries
Experiences for Every Body
Accessible Travel in Vermont
From Vermont’s highest peak to New England’s longest rail trail, accessible travel experiences are available in many forms throughout the Green Mountains. Adaptive recreation programs for skiing, riding, sailing, mountain biking, and more open up outdoor recreation to every body in Vermont. Caring communities and accessible downtown infrastructure are dedicated to developing accessible infrastructure through trail assessments, grants, and community-led initiatives. Whether you’re shredding Vermont’s mountain bike trails, sampling locally grown food, or taking in the views from above, Vermont’s accessible adventure starts here.
Top Attractions
Travelers with disabilities in Vermont can enjoy scenic and serene trails and boardwalks, museums and historic sites, and stunning mountain views, accessible for all.
Recreation Paths & Trails
Vermont’s rail trails and recreation paths are great low-impact ways to explore downtowns, scenic views, and waterfronts. Along the way, there are many opportunities to enjoy a taste of Vermont, from farmstands to farm-to-table dining, breweries to cideries, and more.
Vermont State Parks
Vermont’s 55 state parks, open year-round, have accessibility accomodations including adaptive beach access wheelchairs and hundreds of feet of accessible walkways to state park beaches across Vermont.
Vermont Institute of Natural Science
At Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS), get face to face with raptor birds and see views of the Ottauquechee River from above on an ADA-accessible boardwalk trail.
Rail Trails in Vermont
Gently rolling, smooth gravel pathways connect Vermont communities and provide an accessible way to see beautiful views and enjoy exercise with less than a 3% grade throughout.
Highland Center for the Arts
An audio tour makes this free art gallery accessible for those who have impaired vision.
Brattleboro Words Trail
This celebration of literary history has an audio component that can help those with visual impairments find a sense of place.
Echo Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
This family-friendly and wheelchair accessible science center exploring the ecosystem of Lake Champlain offers sensory-friendly Sundays.
Historic Sites
Many of Vermont’s state-owned historic sites, including the birthplace of Calvin Coolidge in Plymouth and the trails at Mount Independence State Historic Site, are wheelchair-accessible.
Scenic Drives
Byways, back roads, and other scenic drives are some of the best ways to explore the state, meandering through historic downtowns and inviting stops at general stores, farmstands, scenic vantage points, and more.
Vermont Adaptive
Nonprofit Vermont Adaptive works to bring accessible skiing, mountain biking, and other programming to resorts and recreation areas around the state, ensuring sports and Vermont’s natural beauty are for every body.
Summer in Vermont is for Every Body
Summer in Vermont is made for enjoying long days and warm weather outside. All ability levels are able to get out and play together on accessible trails for hiking and mountain biking with infrastructure designed to accommodate various needs.
Itinerary
Wheelchair-Accessible Vermont Adventure
Blogger and wheelchair user Cory Lee tours Vermont for a week of accessible adventure in the fall, from sampling maple syrup and seeing wild birds up close to taking in beautiful waterfall views on accessible trails.
Winter in the Mad River Valley
Vermont is the ultimate place to explore the outdoors. Emily and Erik love visiting the Mad River Valley in the winter because everything they need is close at hand, from shopping and dining to great adaptive skiing through Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports at Sugarbush. A welcoming community and culture of accessibility region-wide makes the area more accessible, too, allowing those with different mobility needs to enjoy the same experience as their loved ones.
Trail Network
Adaptive Mountain Biking
Bolton’s Driving Range is the first mountain biking trail network in Vermont that was designed and built with adaptive bikes in mind. That’s not to say the trails are easy; its berms, bridges, and jumps promise excitement for all riders who take it on.
Every Body in the Family Can Get Outside
Vermont’s natural beauty is best enjoyed together. Get to know Chase and his family and see how Vermont Adaptive creates opportunities for every body to get outside and ride bikes, paddle, sail, hike, play tennis, and more.
Trailfinder
Find an Accessible Trail
Search for trails accessible for those with mobility needs, those with young children, those with sensory needs, and more using TrailFinder’s map and hub.