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Introduction to Camping, Backpacking, and Hiking for Individuals with Disabilities

Camping, backpacking, and hiking have long been recognized as great alternatives to traditional ways to stay physically active, increase self-confidence, and to gain appreciation for the outdoors. For years, only able-body individuals were exposed and educated in backcountry skills. On November 10th, 1998, President Clinton signed Public Law 105-359, requiring the National Park Service , the U.S. Forest Service , the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service , and the Bureau of Land Management to determine ways to improve access for persons with disabilities to outdoor recreational opportunities made available to the public on federal lands. Now, more then ever, the outdoors is becoming accessible to individuals with disabilities. In recent years, a blind climber has successfully climbed to the highest point on earth. Amputees have reached the most remote regions on the planet. The following pages discuss a foundation of skills needed to safely participate in the outdoors with specific modifications that can be used to include individuals with disabilities.

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This fact sheet was last updated on 12-21-2005.