Accessible Maine | Mainepedia

Maine’s rugged beauty might suggest inaccessibility, but Maine has made significant strides in opening its natural and cultural treasures to all visitors. Paved trails follow the coastline. Beach wheelchairs roll across the sand. Adaptive programs bring skiing, kayaking, and sailing to people of all abilities. This guide highlights accessible options throughout Maine.

Accessible Trails and Nature

Acadia National Park

Acadia offers some of Maine’s best accessible outdoor experiences.

Carriage Roads The 45-mile network of broken-stone carriage roads was designed for horse-drawn vehicles but works beautifully for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and adaptive bikes.

Gradual grades (maximum 12%)
Smooth, packed gravel surface
Bench seating along routes
Accessible restrooms at key points
Eagle Lake loop is a popular choice

Accessible Trails:

Jordan Pond Path: Portions are accessible; East Side Loop is mostly flat
Jesup Path: Boardwalk section through wetlands
Ship Harbor Trail: Compact gravel, mostly flat
Wonderland Trail: Graded gravel to the shore

Sand Beach Beach wheelchairs available for loan at the beach (first come, first served in summer).

Cadillac Mountain Summit Accessible viewing areas and restrooms at the summit, reached by car.

State Parks

Fort Williams Park (Cape Elizabeth) Home to Portland Head Light, the park offers:

Paved paths throughout
Accessible viewing areas
Picnic areas
Restrooms

Two Lights State Park (Cape Elizabeth)

Paved paths to ocean overlooks
Accessible picnic areas
Restrooms

Reid State Park (Georgetown)

Beach wheelchair available for loan
Accessible bathhouse
Paved path to beach overlook

Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park (Freeport)

Some trails wheelchair accessible
Accessible restrooms
Osprey viewing platform

Camden Hills State Park

Auto road to Mount Battie summit
Accessible viewing platform at top
Accessible picnic areas

Urban Trails

Back Cove Trail (Portland) 3.5-mile paved loop around a tidal cove. Flat, accessible, and beautiful.

Eastern Promenade Trail (Portland) 1.5-mile paved trail along Portland’s waterfront with harbor views.

Kennebunk Bridle Path Paved rail-trail through Kennebunk with accessible parking.

Androscoggin River Trail (Brunswick) Paved trail along the river with accessible trailheads.

Beach Access

Beach Wheelchairs Available:

Acadia’s Sand Beach
Reid State Park
Ferry Beach State Park (Saco)
Old Orchard Beach (contact town)
Ogunquit Beach (contact town)
Several other beaches—call ahead to confirm

Accessibility Features:

Mobi-Mats (rollout beach access mats) at some beaches
Accessible bathhouses at state park beaches
Viewing platforms where direct beach access is limited

Accessible Lighthouses

Fully Accessible

Portland Head Light (Cape Elizabeth) Maine’s most famous lighthouse offers:

Paved paths throughout Fort Williams Park
Multiple accessible viewing areas
Accessible museum building (first floor)
Accessible restrooms
Excellent photo opportunities without climbing

Owls Head Lighthouse

Accessible parking close to lighthouse
Short, fairly level path to viewing area
Grounds accessible

Marshall Point Lighthouse (Port Clyde)

Paved walkway to lighthouse
Accessible museum entrance
Level grounds

Partially Accessible

Pemaquid Point Light

Accessible parking area
Path to grounds is uneven but manageable for some
Tower not accessible
Museum has step at entrance

West Quoddy Head Light

Accessible parking
Some paved paths
Tower not accessible
Dramatic clifftop views from accessible vantage points

Accessible Museums

Portland

Portland Museum of Art

Fully accessible building
Elevator access to all floors
Accessible restrooms
Wheelchairs available for loan
Audio guides available

Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine

Fully accessible
Wheelchair-friendly exhibits
Accessible restrooms

Victoria Mansion

First floor accessible
Upper floors not accessible
Detailed descriptions of upper floors provided

Coastal

Farnsworth Art Museum (Rockland)

Main building accessible
Elevator to all floors
Wyeth Center accessible
Wheelchairs available

Penobscot Marine Museum (Searsport)

Most buildings accessible
Some historic buildings have limitations
Accessible restrooms

Maine Maritime Museum (Bath)

Main building accessible
Outdoor areas mostly accessible
Some historic structures have limited access

Elsewhere

Maine State Museum (Augusta)

Fully accessible
Elevator to all floors
Wheelchairs available
Free admission

Colby College Museum of Art (Waterville)

Fully accessible
Free admission

Accessible Dining

Many Maine restaurants are accessible, but older buildings in historic districts may have limitations. Call ahead if access is a concern.

Generally Accessible:

Most chain restaurants
Newer restaurants in modern buildings
Restaurant patios (often more accessible than interiors)

Tips:

Call ahead to confirm accessibility
Ask about accessible seating
Many restaurants will accommodate at accessible tables
Portland’s newer restaurants tend to be more accessible

Accessible Lodging

Hotels and Inns

Major hotels offer ADA-compliant rooms:

Roll-in showers
Grab bars
Wider doorways
Accessible parking

Chains with consistent accessibility:

Marriott properties
Hilton properties
Holiday Inn
Best Western (varies)

Boutique Hotels (verify before booking):

Portland Harbor Hotel (Portland)
Press Hotel (Portland)
250 Main (Rockland)

Vacation Rentals

Many VRBO and Airbnb properties list accessibility features. Search specifically for:

Single-floor layouts
Walk-in showers
Wide doorways
Ramp access

Camping

Accessible Campsites:

Blackwoods Campground (Acadia) - accessible sites and restrooms
Seawall Campground (Acadia) - accessible sites
Various state park campgrounds offer accessible sites

Adaptive Recreation Programs

Skiing

Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation Offers adaptive skiing programs at Sunday River and Sugarloaf, including:

Sit-skiing
Mono-skiing
Outriggers
Blind skiing guides
Instruction for all ability levels

Kayaking and Paddling

L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery School (Freeport) Offers adaptive paddling programs with specially designed equipment.

Various Outfitters Many kayak rental operations can accommodate paddlers with disabilities with advance notice.

Sailing

Adaptive sailing programs operate from several harbors, offering:

Accessible boats
Trained instructors
Equipment modifications

Cycling

Adaptive cycling options including:

Hand cycles
Recumbent bikes
Tandem bikes with sighted pilots

Acadia’s carriage roads are popular for adaptive cycling.

Fishing

Accessible fishing locations:

Many stocked ponds have accessible platforms
Several boat launches are wheelchair accessible
Guided fishing trips can accommodate various needs

Transportation

Accessible Vehicle Rentals

Major rental car companies offer accessible vehicles with advance notice. Contact:

Hertz
Avis
Enterprise
Budget

Wheelchair-accessible vans available from specialty providers.

Public Transportation

Concord Coach Lines Accessible buses on routes from Boston to Portland, Augusta, and Bangor.

Metro (Portland) Fixed-route buses are accessible; paratransit service available.

Island Explorer (Acadia) Free seasonal bus system with accessible vehicles serving Acadia National Park and surrounding communities.

Ferries

Casco Bay Lines (Portland)

All ferries accessible
Accessible restrooms
Priority boarding for passengers with disabilities

Maine State Ferry Service

Ferries to Vinalhaven, North Haven, Islesboro, and other islands are accessible
Call ahead to confirm arrangements

Planning Tips

Before You Go

Research accessibility at specific destinations
Call ahead to confirm current accessibility features
Make reservations for accessible rooms, equipment rentals
Check weather - some accessible paths may be icy or muddy seasonally
Download maps showing accessible routes

Packing

Bring any necessary medical supplies
Pack weather-appropriate clothing (layers!)
Consider bringing portable ramps if needed
Carry accessibility documentation for services

General Advice

Start early - accessible parking fills up
Ask for help - Mainers are generally helpful
Have backup plans - weather and conditions change
Take your time - Maine rewards those who slow down

Resources

Organizations

Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation Information on adaptive skiing, cycling, and water sports.

Disability Rights Maine Advocacy and resources for people with disabilities in Maine.

Easterseals Maine Programs and services throughout Maine.

Websites

Access Pass (National Park Service) Free lifetime pass for US citizens with permanent disabilities. Provides free entry to Acadia and other national parks.

Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands Accessibility information for state parks.

VisitMaine.com Official tourism site with accessibility filters for lodging and attractions.

The Accessible Maine Experience

Maine’s rugged landscape presents challenges, but Maine continues to expand accessibility. The carriage roads of Acadia were accessible before accessibility was a movement. The paved urban trails welcome everyone. The beach wheelchair programs grow each year.

Not every destination is fully accessible—some historic lighthouses were built when accessibility wasn’t considered, and some trails will always require scrambling over rocks. But Maine offers enough accessible beauty to fill any trip: sunrises from Cadillac Mountain, Portland Head Light against the sea, the carriage roads winding through Acadia’s forests, the harbor views from accessible waterfront paths.

The key is planning. Know what’s accessible before you go. Call ahead. Arrive early. And know that Maine’s natural beauty—the rocky coast, the mountain views, the forest stillness—awaits visitors of all abilities.

From Acadia’s carriage roads to Portland’s accessible waterfront, Maine continues to open its treasures to all visitors. Maine’s beauty doesn’t require conquering peaks or navigating rocky shores—it reveals itself from accessible overlooks, paved paths, and adapted programs designed to welcome everyone to the Pine Tree State.