Accessible Travel

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Wheelchair Accessible Getaways – Things to Do in the Eastern Sierra

A Paradise For All

The Eastern Sierra is an outdoor paradise for everyone—including those with disabilities. Anglers come to fish the crystal clear streams and beautiful lakes. Paved and accessible trails open up awe-inspiring vistas on mountain and foothill hikes to all. Cyclists, including adaptive riders, can ride the rugged mountain bike trails and explore the quiet roads of the hills and valleys. Climbers ascend sheer rock faces and surmount the giant boulders strewn across this landscape. Snow sports bring families together for wonderful winter fun and summer offers swimming, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding on the many bodies of water.

The Eastside is a place of limitless beauty. Sunsets and sunrises are spectacular and the night sky is a splendid sight to behold. The mountains are majestic and the oldest living organisms on the planet live here. The many museums and interpretive centers provide a window to the natural and human history that shaped the land as we see it today. There is so much to see and do, and so many opportunities exist for persons with disabilities to participate fully in everything the Eastern Sierra has to offer.

This progress is the result of collaboration between agencies, municipalities, and local businesses. Together, they’ve developed paved trails, ramps, piers, and other accessible features. These improvements make it easier for people who use wheelchairs or rely on adaptive gear or assistance to enjoy the outdoors.

Traveler Tip: Many activities and services are only available or offered seasonally. Please make sure to check websites or call ahead to plan your trip and know what you might encounter during your visit to the Eastside.

Lakes & Fishing

Specially designed accessible piers for fishing are located at some lakes and ponds in the Owens Valley and Bishop Creek Canyon.

Owens Valley Warm Water Fisheries

Fishing is legal all year on the Owens River and the maintained ponds of that lie on the canals alongside the river have access for the physically disabled to be at the water’s edge to fish or just enjoy the view.

Intake II

Another such pier is built on the shores of Intake II, a small lake situated at just over 8,000’ above sea level, in the heart of Bishop Creek Canyon. This reservoir is open for fishing during fishing season, the last Saturday in April to November 15th, and is regularly stocked with fish during the season. It is a favorite fishing area with easy access.

Millpond Recreation Area

Just six miles north of Bishop on Sawmill Road, the Millpond Recreation Area offers something for everyone. This scenic spot features a small lake with an accessible fishing pier, surrounded by a spacious park that includes a baseball field, two playgrounds, tennis courts, horseshoe pits, and wide open grassy areas. It’s a great destination for camping and also serves as the venue for the annual Millpond Music Festival, hosted by the Inyo Council for the Arts every September.

Convict Lake

Convict Lake is located 36 miles north of Bishop on U.S. Highway 395. It’s known as one of the top fishing spots in the Eastern Sierra. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife stocks the lake weekly during fishing season. This is also supported by Convict Lake Resort, which adds additional fish throughout the season.

A loop trail circles the lake, with a paved section on the eastern side. This stretch offers stunning views of the lake, surrounding mountains, and forests in the glacial valley. A wheelchair-accessible fishing pier extends over the water along this shore.

Fall is a perfect time to visit, with vibrant colors lining the path. The nearby Convict Lake Resort, nestled among aspen trees, offers six cabins and houses that are fully accessible.

June Lake

In the magnificent alpine scenery 55 miles north of Bishop is June Lake. This sparkling clear lake is set in another of the ubiquitous horseshoe-shaped valleys created by glacial action that defines the topography of this region. The rugged peaks rise dramatically from the shores of the lake and the changing colors of the seasons add to the magic of the scene. A summertime swim or float adventure, atop a kayak or stand-up paddleboard, is freeing and refreshing. The Dick Noles Accessible Pathway makes access to the lakeshore along the sandy beach possible by wheelchair. A number of generous donors and organizations in the area made the installation of this pathway in 2016 possible.

Trails & Parks

Bishop City Park

Bishop City Park covers 44 acres of green space and offers many amenities. The city maintains a swimming pool that is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. In addition, you’ll find baseball fields, tennis courts, a skate park and a bike park. There is also an off-leash dog park, picnic tables and pavilion, a beautiful pond with an over-water gazebo, children’s play structures, an outdoor fitness center, and a bocce court.

A paved path winds under shady trees, follows a burbling stream, circles the pond, and leads out onto the gazebo. Along the way, you can see fish swimming in the clear water and watch ducks and colorful birds around the pond. Located at the heart of Bishop, the park has easy access via safe sidewalks to nearby shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Many of these places are also wheelchair accessible.

Mammoth Lakes Trails System

The Mammoth Lakes Trail System features many miles of paved pathways that wind through the town of Mammoth Lakes and into surrounding parks and forests. At the heart of this extensive network—comprising around 300 miles of trails with varying surfaces and uses—is the Town Loop. This 7.3-mile paved trail offers a family-friendly, wheelchair accessible getaways around the mountain town, while also connecting to several outbound trails, many of which are also paved.

One popular offshoot is the 0.8-mile Shady Rest Path. This well-traveled trail links the Old Shady Rest and New Shady Rest campgrounds to the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center. It gently descends through a forest of red fir and Jeffrey pine, ending at the Shady Rest Town Park, which features ball fields, a playground, and a picnic area. For those seeking a longer and more challenging route, the 5.3-mile Lakes Basin Path connects the North Village to Horseshoe Lake. About one mile of this trail runs relatively flat alongside Lake Mary before reaching its end at Horseshoe Lake.

Hot Creek Geological Site

A steep, but short paved trail of 0.2 miles descends 100 feet down to the hot springs and boiling pools of the Hot Creek Geological Site. This is a fascinating natural feature where one can see geology in action. Boiling water bubbles up from the creek bed, fumaroles let off steam, and periodic geyser eruptions can create new hot springs overnight. The area is a stark reminder that a chamber of hot magma lies a mere three miles below the surface of the earth here. The main parking area on the rim of the canyon is accessed by road from US Highway 395 near the Mammoth Lakes airport. When visiting this site follow all signage and stay within fenced areas to avoid the unstable ground. Swimming and bathing are not allowed and the area is closed from sunset to sunrise.

Sight Seeing

Ancient Bristlecone Pines

High above Bishop in the White Mountains are the world’s oldest living non-clonal organisms, the Great Basin Bristlecone Pine (Pinus longaeva). Growing between 9,800 and 11,000 feet in an all but inhospitable climate these trees live for thousands of years. A beautiful drive of about an hour (38 miles) on a paved, winding, mountain road takes you to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest. The Schulman Grove Visitor Center, open annually from approximately mid-May to November, weather permitting, has a large patio with picnic tables and boardwalks around the center from which many of the old trees can be seen. The center houses exhibits, video presentations, a bookstore and a gift shop. In the summer months, rangers and staff give talks and lectures about these remarkable trees.

Top of Mammoth Mountain

Take a trip to what feels and looks like the top of the world. The Mammoth Mountain Panorama Gondola delivers panoramic views of the Sierra and White Mountains, Minarets, Mono Lake, Yosemite peaks and the town and valley below. At 11,053 ft. discover the history and wonder of the Sierra at the Eleven53 interpretive center with fun, interactive exhibits for all ages. Afterwards, enjoy lunch with a view at the café at the top of the mountain. The gondola runs from 8:30am to 4pm daily – weather dependent.

Museums & Visitor Centers

Throughout the Eastern Sierra, from Lone Pine to Lee Vining, you’ll find many museums and visitor centers. Each one highlights the region’s rich history and cultural significance. Moreover, each is unique in its focus and exhibits. For example, a road trip along US Highway 395, with stops at these museums and centers, offers hours of fascinating and informative experiences. All locations provide wheelchair access, and many include accessible technology for guests with hearing or vision impairments. Bishop is considered the heart of the Eastern Sierra. Within just over an hour’s drive in any direction, you can reach the White Mountains to the east, Sierra lakes and trailheads to the west, or travel north or south along Highway 395. Each route offers endless opportunities for exploration and unforgettable adventures.

Begin your journey of discovery at the Bishop Visitor Center at 218 S. Main St. in Bishop or call (760) 873-8405 to get current information on weather, road closures, and hours of operation for local attractions:

• Eastern Sierra Interagency Visitor Center – 2 miles south of Lone Pine at the junction of State Route 136
• The Museum of Western Film History – Lone Pine
• Manzanar National Historic Site – 10 miles north of Lone Pine
• Eastern California Museum – Independence
• Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery – 3.5 miles north of Independence
• Owens Valley Paiute Shoshone Cultural Center – Bishop
• Laws Railroad Museum & Historic Site – 6 miles north of Bishop on US Highway 6
• Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center – 0.8 miles north of Lee Vining

Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra

This article began with the motto from (DSES) Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra. It is more than just a motto for the organization – it is a heartfelt belief that all who live and play here know that nature is restorative and regenerative and should be accessible to all. DSES is a non-profit organization that has been in operation in Mammoth Lakes since 2003. In the 20-years that DSES has been serving the community in the greater Eastern Sierra it has grown from an adaptive ski program in winter into a year-round adaptive sporting organization. It now delivers over 3,000 annual adaptive therapeutic recreation lessons in a wide range of winter and summer activities.

Empowering Adventure

The sporting lineup includes skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing, road cycling, mountain biking, fishing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, horseback riding, hiking and camping. A small paid staff of 10 persons manages the day-to-day operations of the program. In addition, over 250 volunteers contribute 17,000 hours annually to conduct lessons and guide participants in outdoor activities. To ensure quality instruction, all volunteers must have at least intermediate to advanced skills. They also complete a rigorous training program before coaching or assisting DSES students. Many of them hold top-level certifications in various outdoor sports.

In 2007 the organization began an ambitious project to build a National Wounded Warrior Center in Mammoth Lakes. The organization recently announced the acquisition of the Fern Creek Lodge in June Lake, California. The facility will be named the Jack & Kathy Copeland Center at Fern Creek Lodge and home to DSES’s programs for military and veteran athletes. It will also provide retreat-style adaptive sports programs year-round. Although fundraising continues DSES continues to help veterans find healing and recovery. Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra is a Paralympic Sports Club and chapter member of Disabled Sports USA.

Visit or call the folks at DSES. It could change your life.