A Wheelchair Camper’s Guide To Mt. Hood Territory

By Guest Author: West Livaudais

Article At A Glance

• Three Campgrounds To Explore: Feyrer, Barton and Metzler Parks — all managed by Clackamas County Parks.
• ADA-Friendly Features: Paved loops, accessible restrooms, parking and playgrounds designed for wheelchair users.
• Unique Experiences: From riverside camping at Barton to forest seclusion at Metzler Meadows, each park offers something different.
• Tips For Campers: Feyrer is best for easy access, Barton for social energy and river floats and Metzler for peaceful solitude with some extra help.

I’ve always felt so connected to nature and other people when I’m camping — the smell of campfire smoke rising through the trees, the soft rush of a river nearby, the quiet thrill of waking up in a tent as the forest stirs around me. Since my spinal cord injury, those simple joys haven’t been as easy to reach. Every trip now requires more planning, a bit of creativity and a dash of grit. But each successful adventure is worth it, and my recent visit to three Clackamas County campgrounds reminded me why.

I set out to explore Feyrer, Barton and Metzler Parks and Campgrounds — all within a scenic drive of each other and all managed by Clackamas County Parks. I wanted to see what worked (and what didn’t) from the perspective of a manual wheelchair user who loves the outdoors. Here’s what I found.

Feyrer Park was my first stop. It felt easy, serene and beautiful. Nestled between the Molalla River and a small creek, this campground is shaded by towering maples and firs. The newly resurfaced asphalt loop made rolling around in my chair smooth and effortless. Every campsite is level and close to ADA restrooms and the creek.

What impressed me most was how intentional the accessibility design felt. Paved paths connect everything — campsites, restrooms and even a bright and cheerful ADA-accessible playground. The playground sits on bark chips but has a paved ramp leading right into it. Two ADA parking spaces are reserved directly in front of the bathroom and shower, which is incredibly helpful when you’re carrying gear.

Camp host Joey was friendly and eager to answer my questions, and rangers John and Dan were knowledgeable about accessibility details. Feyrer is small, quiet and family-friendly — and there was cell service, which makes coordinating logistics (or streaming a campfire playlist) easy. If you’re new to camping with a disability, Feyrer is an ideal place to start.

Barton Park was next, larger than Feyrer and divided into East and West campgrounds along the Clackamas River. The East side is mostly open RV sites with little tree cover. It’s all paved, with ADA sites near the bathrooms and another accessible playground with a paved ramp. While it’s functional, it felt a bit exposed — like camping in a parking lot.

The West loop had a more classic camping vibe — trees, birdsong and a long paved loop road that meanders past grassy and wooded sites (1–20). It’s gently sloped in places, so pushing can be a workout but not terrible. Sites C and E are close to the bathroom, have pull-through parking and are fairly flat. There’s an ADA parking spot right by the shower, which I appreciated, though cell coverage here was limited. Barton is great if you want space, social energy and a mix of RV and tent campers — just plan your site choice carefully if you’re in a chair.

Barton Campground is also popular with river floaters. I saw many groups starting or ending their float. I didn’t check the accessibility of the launch, but just know there are usually plenty of people around to help if you plan to get on the water. Pro tip: Asking for help and clearly explaining your needs can transform a seemingly inaccessible adventure into smooth sailing.

Finally, I made my way to Metzler Park, where I camped overnight. Metzler has two distinct camping zones: Metzler Meadows, a hike-in primitive area tucked into the woods, and the main campground, which is more developed and drive-in accessible.

I stayed at Metzler Meadows. The moment I set up my tent and lit my campfire, I felt blissfully secluded. Ferns and mossy maples wrapped around my campsite like a secret garden. It felt like I was deep in the wilderness, even though the main campground was just down the road. That solitude came with challenges: the gravel path was thick and sloped uphill from the parking area, so I couldn’t haul some of my bulky gear without help. There’s no electricity, no trash service and just a port-a-potty at the trailhead — but there is a wheelbarrow for hauling gear, which was a thoughtful touch.

If you’re a manual chair user camping solo, Meadows is tough. But if you can bring a friend, the payoff is peace and quiet you won’t find in most public campgrounds.

The main Metzler Campground is much more accessible. Paved paths lead between wide, grassy campsites. Sites 1–25 are especially accessible — near ADA bathrooms, with paved drives and level surfaces — and the nearby day-use area has an ADA playground, a big field and a swimming hole by the bridge. Sites 30+ are more primitive, with gravel drives and fewer amenities. Cell service is limited, but not having bars somehow adds to the charm.

Across all three parks, one thing that stood out was how each integrated ADA design into its features — from parking right in front of showers to accessible playgrounds. That’s something I rarely see and deeply appreciate. Small details like that send a big message: you belong here.

For fellow wheelchair users, here’s my advice: start with Feyrer if you want easy, smooth access and a mellow vibe. Try Barton if you want space, a river adventure and more of a social scene. And save Metzler Meadows for when you’re craving solitude and have some backup muscle for gear.

As for me, sitting by my fire at Metzler with the forest glowing orange around me, I was reminded why I keep chasing these adventures. I love being in nature and want to share these spaces with other disabled adventurers as well.

Accessibility matters — and thanks to these parks, rolling into the wild is a little more possible.