Planning a travel experience in Ulster County? You may be surprised to find that many of the area’s restaurants, museums, outdoor adventures, and more hotspots have been thoughtfully designed with accessibility in mind. The county has embraced the idea of “Wild Access” with numerous “adaptive adventures” for adults and children with disabilities, such as mobility challenges, sensory processing disorders, or developmental challenges.

From sensory-friendly movie showings to outdoor activities like camping, hiking, or river cruises to historic sites and museums, there’s something for everyone in Ulster County. With expansive horizons to discover a life without limits, the Catskills are beckoning you.

Accessible Camping & Adaptive Hiking in Ulster County

Ulster County prides itself on its natural beauty and is a haven for visitors who love camping. Many campsites are wheelchair accessible and offer facilities, trails, and amenities that can be accessed by people with disabilities.

Accessible Campsites

Spend a night in the Catskill Mountains at the Kenneth L. Wilson Campground in Mount Tremper, where you’ll find an ADA-compliant trail and a fishing platform. The Catskills Visitor Center is a great resource for visitors and has wheelchair-accessible trails nearby. In the Shandaken Wild Forest, there are wheelchair-accessible campsites, fishing platforms, and portable toilets.

Find other accessible campsites using the state’s interactive map.

Adaptive Hiking

While many of the county’s campsites have ample hiking opportunities nearby, there are a few additional locations where hiking with disabilities is possible. Mohonk Preserve allows people with mobility issues to borrow their all-terrain, hiking wheelchair while visiting the property. Additionally, Mohonk Preserve will adapt certain programs for people with disabilities; for example, by providing American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation during presentations. At the Ashokan Rail Trail, the trailhead parking areas and portable bathrooms are ADA compliant, as is the trail itself, which is 12 feet wide and constructed of compacted, finely crushed stone.

Adaptive Outdoor Recreation

Camping and hiking aren’t the only ways to experience the beautiful scenery of Ulster County. Many local businesses offer unique traveling experiences, such as off-roading or skiing. Consider a visit to SOAR Experiences in Ellenville, a not-for-profit organization that offers adaptive outdoor recreation activities for people with mobility issues and disabilities. 

Adaptive Skiing

You can’t beat a scenic skiing trip in the winter, and Belleayre Mountain offers adaptive skiing lessons. Designed for adults and children with cognitive, physical, or emotional disabilities, lessons cover everything from equipment handling to skiing techniques. 

Therapeutic Horseback Riding

Animal lovers can experience therapeutic horseback riding at Frog Hollow Farm through Horses for a Change or visit Forsyth Nature Center, where there is a free zoo. For visitors feeling extra daring, Skydive the Ranch offers skydiving adventures for people with physical disabilities. 

Mobility-Friendly Boat Tour

For an activity that’s a little more leisurely, Hudson River Cruises gives visitors a view of beautiful Ulster County in a more relaxed setting. The boat tour company, which is based in Kingston, will work with visitors to determine if their specific mobility needs can be accommodated on the vessel.

Wheelchair-Accessible Pool

Take a dip in the accessible pool at the YMCA of Kingston and Ulster County, where there’s a ramp and a specialized wheelchair to help people with mobility challenges get into the water. Andretta Pool, also in Kingston, has a lift that can be used to help people with disabilities get into the pool.

Indoor Activities for Adults with Disabilities in Ulster County

Museums and Historic Sites

Ulster County has many historic sites to add to your travel itinerary, such as the Senate House State Historic Site and museum. The lower level of the museum is wheelchair accessible. Visitors to Historic Huguenot Street, a National Historic Landmark District which is accessible and child- and group-friendly, can explore a reconstructed 18th-century church and historic, 19th-century stone homes during a tour. The Ellenville Public Library, which also has a museum, is wheelchair accessible and makes for another great historic stop.

The Catskill Mountain Railroad offers an old-world feel in the Stockade District of Kingston. Train rides vary based on the time of year. The train is wheelchair accessible and there is limited wheelchair seating on board.

For those with an interest in maritime history, the Hudson River Maritime Museum is a great wheelchair-accessible stop for adults, children, and groups alike. The Rehr Center for Immigrant Culture and History showcases stories of the immigrants who shaped Kingston and the Hudson Valley.

Entertainment, Arts & Culture

Spend a few hours immersed in art at the The Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art at SUNY New Paltz, where there’s a collection of more than 7,000 objects and a rotation of seasonal exhibits.

At Shadowland Stages, a fixture in the Ulster County arts scene since the 1920s, you can catch professional theater shows — and the venue is wheelchair accessible. Bardavon offers a rotation of live performances at the Ulster Performing Arts Center, from ballet to classic Disney hits. And for movie lovers, NCG Cinema has sensory-friendly movie showings. 

Events for All Abilities

Ulster County Fair

What better way to get to know the area than the Ulster County Fair in New Paltz? At the annual fair, which takes place over a week in late summer, you can see livestock races, enjoy carnival rides, view arts and crafts and so much more. Many of the fair’s main spaces have blacktops, making the fairgrounds easier to access for visitors with wheelchairs. Sensory-safe hours allow visitors with sensory needs to experience rides without lights or music. There’s also a Safe Sensory Space booth where adults and children can borrow headphones to wear throughout their visit.

If your plans don’t align with the fair dates, you can still experience the fairgrounds at one of the many additional events held there year-round, such as dog shows, an international pickle festival, and a 4-H Fall Fest. Check the calendar for upcoming events.

Get Outdoors & Get Together

Visitors venturing to Ulster County over the summer will love “Get Outdoors & Get Together,” an outdoor recreation event focused on providing opportunities for people of all abilities to engage with nature, learn new skills, and understand sustainability. At the event, which coincides with National Get Outdoors Day, participants with developmental disabilities can engage in adaptive adventures, such as hiking, birding, fishing, nature walks, camping, paddling, and more. Adaptive equipment will be on hand to enable everyone to enjoy outdoor sporting in Ulster County. Visit the website of the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities for more information.

Ulster County Welcomes Visitors of All Abilities

Whether you’re planning a long vacation or a short weekend getaway, there are accessible activities and events across Ulster County. Explore more accessible travel resources and plan your trip today.