Accessible Camp Shelters at US Forest Services Facilities
Information reproduced from the USDA Accessibility Guidebook for Outdoor Recreation and Trails.
US Forest Service Camp Shelter
Camp shelters are small structures typically enclosed on three sides with a roof or overhang. They are often located on trails. The photo on the right shows a typical camp shelter that provides some protection from the weather. Camp shelters are not cabins. Cabins are typically fully enclosed and must comply with the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA), section 806, for transient lodging. Camp shelters at US Forest Services (USFS) facilities must comply with the Forest Service Outdoor Recreation Area Guidelines (FSORAG) except in two circumstances.
If a condition for an exception prohibits full compliance with a specific technical requirement in FSORAG, section 6.1, the camp shelter only has to comply with the specific requirement to the extent practicable.
When more than two camp shelters are grouped together in a camping unit, only 20 percent of them (but never less than two) are required to meet the requirements. For example, if five camp shelters are grouped, 20 percent is one shelter. Because of the minimum number required, however, this group must include at least two shelters that meet the requirements. However, in a group of 15 shelters, 20 percent is 3 shelters. At the least, three shelters must meet the requirements. Remember that the requirements are minimums, and the USFS commitment to universal design dictates that as many shelters as is practicable should meet the requirements.
Camp shelters located on trails should be connected to the other constructed features at the site by a trail that meets the technical requirements in FSTAG. Camp shelters that are located in a campground and are not on a trail should be connected to other constructed features in the camping unit and to the common use features that are provided at the campground, such as toilets, showers, water hydrants, garbage receptacles, parking spaces, and beach access by an outdoor recreation access route (ORAR).
A clear floor or ground space should be provided that is at least 36 inches (915 millimeters) by 48 inches (1,220 millimeters) at the entrance to the camp shelter. The graphic below is representative of this clear space.
USFS Clear Space
The long side of the clear floor or ground space must be parallel to the camp shelter entrance. One full, unobstructed side of the clear ground space must adjoin or overlap the trail or ORAR (as applicable) or another clear ground space. When a condition for an exception prohibits full compliance with the clear ground requirement, the clear ground space only has to comply to the extent practicable.
The surface of the clear floor or ground space at the open entrance side of the shelter and the floor of the shelter should be firm, stable, and should not slope more than 2 percent (1:48) in any direction. However, when the surface is unpaved or not built with boards, slopes 5 percent (1:20) or less are allowed if necessary for drainage.
Camp Shelter with Raised Floor
Some camp shelters are built on raised floors. The photo on the right is representative. When the floor at the entrance to the camp shelter is raised above the ground, ensure that the floor is 17 inches (430 millimeters) minimum to 19 inches (485 millimeters) maximum, higher than the adjoining clear space at the open entrance side. This height must be maintained for a length of at least 48 inches (1,220 millimeters) beside the clear space so that someone using a wheelchair or other assistive device can transfer to the floor of the shelter.
If the camp shelter has a level entry, provide a turning space that is 60 inches (1,525 millimeters) minimum in diameter or is T-shaped with a minimum 60- by 36-inch (1,525- by 915-millimeter) arm and a minimum 36-inch (915-millimeter) -wide by 24-inch (610-millimeter) -long base (see figure 63) inside the camp shelter. This requirement is the same as ABAAS, section 304.3. The graphic below is representative of turning space options. The clear space and turning space allows someone using a wheelchair or other assistive device to approach and move about the camp shelter.
Turning Space Options