Louisiana's 2026 tourism theme is The Year of Outdoors. Nature can sometimes present challenges for those of us with mobility issues, but where there is a will, there is a way.
As part of Visit The Northshore's Visitor Services team—and as a lifelong advocate for accessibility alongside my daughter PJ—I continue to roll through St. Tammany Parish, sharing resources and adventures from our firsthand experiences.
We travel with a manual wheelchair, a wheelchair-accessible van and the need for maximum assistance with daily activities. We're an outdoor family—I am a member of the St. Tammany Master Gardeners, and before her injury, PJ loved the outdoors, growing up identifying plants and animals, riding horses and spending time in nature. Today, when PJ becomes overwhelmed, spending time in nature calms her and helps her reconnect with the world around her.
Last fall, we attended our first William Bartram Trail Celebration at Pelican Park in Mandeville. Learning about Bartram’s travels inspired us to follow portions of his journey across The Northshore this spring while exploring the accessibility of the places we visited.
Following Bartram's Journey
Team PJ visits Bird's Eye View, a Louisiana Percent for Art installation by Aly Adduci with Gabriel Wimmer and Brent Barnidge, inspired by the wild wading birds of the Northshore wetlands.
William Bartram was one of America’s earliest naturalists, artists and explorers. During his travels through Louisiana in 1775, he documented the region’s forests, waterways, wildlife and Indigenous communities. His observations, later published in Bartram’s Travels, helped create one of the earliest written records of the Gulf South’s natural environment.
Bartram spent time recovering from a serious eye injury near Pearl River before continuing his journey through the shores of Lake Pontchartrain and the surrounding coastal landscape. Along the way, he described magnificent live oaks, towering magnolias and the rich ecosystems that still make Southeast Louisiana unique today.
Inspired by his journey 250 years later, Team PJ set out to explore several Northshore locations connected to Bartram’s story.
Madisonville and Maritime History
Our first stop was the Maritime Museum Louisiana in Madisonville. There, local historian Donald J. Sharp shared stories about Bartram’s travels and his connection with inventor James Rumsey, who reportedly helped treat Bartram’s injured eye during his stay near the Pearl River.
Learning about these early explorers offered a new perspective on places we thought we already knew. It reminded us that many of the waterways, forests and marshes Bartram encountered remain part of the Northshore experience today.
Fontainebleau State Park: A Place Filled with Memories
The highlight of our journey was Fontainebleau State Park.
For PJ, Fontainebleau is much more than a beautiful outdoor destination. It is a place woven throughout her childhood memories. She visited the beach, fished from the pier and attended school field trips there while growing up in Mandeville. Returning to the park to celebrate her 40th birthday made the experience especially meaningful.
With support from park staff, we stayed in one of the park’s accessible cabins. The cabin’s ramps, wide doorways, accessible thresholds and open floor plan made our stay comfortable. Families traveling with mobility equipment know that every detail matters. We never travel lightly. Along with PJ's wheelchair, we pack a portable manual lift, bed risers that allow the lift to fit beneath the bed and a bathing wheelchair. Thoughtful accessibility features make the difference between simply visiting a destination and truly enjoying it.
The Cabin
Cabin Accessibility Notes
- Cabins 4 and 6 offer accessibility features that worked well for our family.
- Wide doorways and open floor plans provided room for equipment and transfers.
- Accessible pathways made it easier to move between the cabin and surrounding park amenities.
- Advance planning is still important for families with complex mobility needs.
The Visit The Northshore team joins Team PJ in Fontainebleau State Park to celebrate PJ's 40th birthday.
PJ’s birthday celebration brought together family members, high school friends, retired teachers, caregivers, therapy teams and coworkers. Celebrating in a place that had been part of PJ's childhood made the milestone even more meaningful. For many caregiving families, special outings require a village, and this celebration was a wonderful reminder of the community that has supported PJ throughout her life.
The All-Terrain TrackChair
Team PJ with Ranger Garrett
The following day, we visited the Fontainebleau State Park Visitor Center to meet Ranger Garrett, who provides instruction on using the park's all-terrain TrackChair. My caregiver and I transferred PJ from her everyday wheelchair into the TrackChair before heading into the woods.
This adaptive wheelchair opened up opportunities to explore areas that would otherwise be difficult to reach.
We spent hours enjoying the trails, woodlands, historic sites, beach, fishing pier and playgrounds. One of our favorite features is the park’s inclusive playground, which welcomes children and families of all abilities.
For PJ, being surrounded by the forest, listening to birds and feeling immersed in nature was a reminder of why outdoor experiences matter so much.
Fontainebleau State Park General Manager Jennifer Wallace welcomes Team PJ before their TrackChair adventure.
Trackchair Accessibility Notes
- Reserve the TrackChair in advance through the Louisiana State Parks reservation system. At Fontainebleau, the chair is housed at the Visitor Center, and availability depends on its charging schedule after previous use.
- Visitors receive instruction on operating the TrackChair before use. Those who require assistance transferring into or out of the chair should plan ahead and bring a caregiver or other qualified helper, as park staff cannot assist with transfers.
- Several Louisiana State Parks offer adaptive all-terrain TrackChairs.
- Accessible restrooms are available throughout the park.
- Accessible parking continues to improve, though locating designated spaces can sometimes be challenging.
Heritage Park in Slidell
Our next stop along the Bartram Trail was Heritage Park in Slidell.
Located along Bayou Bonfouca, the park offers accessible parking, paved walkways, restrooms and picnic areas that make it easy for visitors with mobility challenges to participate in community events and outdoor recreation. We enjoyed watching boats travel along the bayou and taking in the scenery from several accessible viewpoints.
Accessibility Notes
- Accessible parking available.
- Accessible restrooms available.
- Paved pathways connect major park features.
- Good opportunities for fishing, wildlife viewing and community events.
Adaptive Adventures on the Pearl River
Dedicated volunteers from Ski Dawgs and Ainsley's Angels work together to safely transfer PJ into a towable tube, making an unforgettable day on the Pearl River possible.
Our final stop brought us back to the Pearl River area, where Bartram spent part of his Louisiana journey.
We joined fellow riders and runners from Ainsley’s Angels and adaptive athletes with Ski Dawgs, two organizations dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities participate in sports and outdoor recreation.
Through adaptive equipment, trained volunteers and dedicated support teams, participants can enjoy experiences that might otherwise seem impossible. Spending time on the water with others who share a passion for inclusion was one of the most rewarding parts of our adventure.
Accessibility Notes
- Adaptive equipment is provided through participating organizations.
- Trained volunteers assist participants throughout activities.
- Programs welcome a wide range of ages and abilities.
More Outdoor Adventures Await
As summer temperatures rise, we recommend exploring during the cooler morning and evening hours. Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, local parks, public art trails and the Tammany Trace all offer opportunities to experience the outdoors at your own pace.
The Northshore continues to expand opportunities for residents and visitors of all abilities to enjoy nature, recreation and community life.
For families and caregivers wondering whether outdoor recreation is possible, our answer remains simple: all things are possible when you set your heart to it.
We look forward to sharing more accessible adventures across the Northshore.
Every adventure begins with a warm welcome at the Visit The Northshore Visitor Center, where Team PJ joins Travel Counselor Sheila Nolinske and Senior Sales Manager Zondra White Jones.
One more nature note…save the date and make your travel plans/reservations for the next Bartram Bio Bash, September 25-27, 2026, at Fontainebleau State Park!
Get more info on the Pelican Park Nature Club Facebook page.
This story is part of Oh, the Places We'll Roll..., an ongoing series on accessible Northshore experiences by Christy Paulsell—accessibility advocate, caregiver, Northshore explorer and member of the Visit The Northshore team. Together with her daughter, PJ, she shares firsthand stories, practical resources and accessible adventures across The Northshore.
Click for more Accessible Experiences.
