Planning your Field Trips Using our Physical Demand Rating

Trip titles in the Field Trip Guidebook are color coded with a physical demand rating to help you decide whether the activity level matches your abilities.

Each trip is unique in its location and activities. Please reach us at FieldTrips@WisConservation.org or (608) 409-3123 if you have questions about the physical demand levels or accommodations for a specific Field Trip.

Using standard and outdoor wheelchairs on Field Trips

We are dedicated to providing opportunities for people with various physical abilities to join us out in the field. If you, a family member, or friend have mobility challenges, we have several options. See below for a list of standard-wheelchair accessible Field Trips and information on using outdoor wheelchairs from our friends at Access Ability Wisconsin.

The Field Trips below are accessible for standard-wheelchairs.

* indicates there are open spaces as of 4/23/24

Use an all-terrain outdoor wheelchair

Five Field Trips have Outdoor Wheelchairs to use on-site

Outdoor wheelchairs, as shown above, have rubber tank-like tracks that can easily ride over the dirt and grass. The Field Trips below have outdoor wheelchairs on site to use during on the trip. Contact us for details on reserving an outdoor wheelchair for use during one of these Field Trips. FieldTrips@WisConservation.org

Access Ability Wisconsin

Access Ability Wisconsin (AAW) was created to facilitate and provide the means for individuals with mobility challenges to access and enjoy Wisconsin’s natural resources, and to provide recreational opportunities for all physically challenged people, not just wheelchair users, but anyone, regardless of age, with a permanent or temporary mobility challenge who wants to enjoy the Wisconsin outdoors.

AAW has all-terrain Outdoor Wheelchairs (OWC) which use rubber tank-like tracks available to reserve and use free of charge at several locations throughout the state. You can reserve an OWC through AAW and tow it to other locations using an AAW enclosed trailer. Use the chair on your own outdoor excursion or on one of our Field Trips (contact us to discuss options).

Watch all-terrain wheelchairs in action: AAW video footage

More Resources for Exploring the Outdoors

Open the Outdoors is your resource for all of the available recreation options for individuals with disabilities.

Find out more: Wisconsin DNR – Open the Outdoors

Banner photo by Caitlin Williamson. Photo of family with all-terrain outdoor wheelchair courtesy of Riveredge Nature Center. Photo of person in all-terrain wheelchair posing in front of trailer courtesy of Access Ability Wisconsin.