Physical / Mobility Accessibility

Explore physical and mobility accessibility at Fort Necessity National Battlefield by clicking on each location's features below.

 

Visitor Center

The Visitor Center has an information desk, restrooms, a bookstore, exhibits about the history of the area, and a theater.

Parking / Drop Off

Parking:

• 4 Van accessible parking spaces
• 50 Regular parking spaces
• 4 Oversized vehicle / bus spaces

Drop Off:

• Drop off area for buses and other large vehicles is located directly in front of the visitor center.
• There is a lowered section in the sidewalk curb for wheelchair access.

Restrooms

Men's

• 1 accessible stall
• 1 standard stall
• 1 standard urinal
• 1 accessible urinal
• 3 sinks
• A changing table
• Hand dryers

Women's

• 5 standard stalls
• 1 accessible stall
• 3 sinks
• A changing table
• Hand dryers
• Sanitary napkin/tampon dispenser

Water Fountain / Bottle Filling Station

• Located in between restrooms

Information Desk / Bookstore

Information Desk

• There are no physical barriers to enter the Visitor Center.
• There is no power-assist door with a push button to activate.
• The information desk is located to the left as you enter.
• There is a lowered section for asking questions and interacting with ranger staff.

Bookstore

• There are various items available for sale including t-shirts, hoodies, books, pins, and other collectibles.
• Staff at the information desk can assist with reaching items on higher shelves.

Exhibits

There are exhibits about the history of the French and Indian War, the historic road system, and other important history in the area.

• The exhibit area has a few changes in floor surface and some tighter turning areas.
• There are several mannequins dressed up in period costumes.
• There is a low button at the base of each of the mannequins to activate audio.

Indoor Theater

There is a 19 minute park film that plays on the hour and half hour.

• The theater is set up with stadium-style seating.
• There are four accessible spaces between the front and back of the theater for visitors in wheelchairs to view the movie from.

Path to the Fort

The reconstructed fort is located a 300 yards from the back entrance of the visitor center.

The path to the fort is:

• Paved for the majority; the section inside the fort is unpaved, loose gravel
• Mostly flat and level
• 0.2 miles one way
• 5-6 feet wide
• Has benches along the way

The fort consists of:

• Mounded grassy walls
• A circular wall of upright, wooden posts, and a small log building at the center of the fort
• Inside the log building there are some low boxes to sit on and a makeshift table used for ranger programs

Outdoor Theater

Programs and Weapons Demonstration Area

• Along the path to the fort there is a small area with half-log benches in rows.
• This area is used for ranger programs and historic weapons demonstrations.
• The ground here is uneven and covered in tree roots.
• There is a section of crushed limestone for wheelchair users in the back of the theater accessible from the paved ramp leading up to the seating area. 

Playground

There is a playground located outside the back entrance of the visitor center. 

• The playground structure is made from a combination of wood and metal.
• The floor matieral is solid recycled rubber and wheelchair friendly.
• There are no barriers between the concrete sidewalk and rubber flooring.
• The playground structure includes a climbing structure with steps and 2 slides.

 

Mount Washington Tavern

The Mount Washington Tavern can be accessed by walking 500 yards from the visitor center (the end at the tavern is steep) or driving and parking at the tavern. The tavern is closed seasonally from November 1 to April 30. The building is self-guided and open 10 AM - 4 PM daily.

Parking / Drop Off

Parking:

• 2 accessible spaces (1 van accessible space)
• 24 Regular parking spaces

Drop Off:

• Drop off area for buses and other large vehicles is located at the base of the steps and accessible ramp leading to the tavern in the parking lot.
• There is a lowered section in the sidewalk curb for wheelchair access to the ramp.

Path

There is a long ramp that wraps around the back side of the building to an accessible side entrance.

• The accessible entrance is a little narrow with no power assist button.

The ramp is:

• Paved
• 600 feet long
• 5 feet wide
• Average running slope: 3 degrees
• Maximum running slope: 6 degrees for 30-40 feet
• Average cross slope: 2 degrees
• Maximum cross slope: 4 degrees for 5 feet

Restrooms

There are no restrooms in the tavern

• The closest restrooms are in the visitor center.

Exhibits

On the first and second floors of the tavern, there are glassed-off rooms that allow a glimpse into how the tavern may have been originally set up.

• A steep staircase provides the only access to the second floor.
• There is a binder with images from the four glassed-off bedrooms on the second floor.

 

Braddock's Grave

Braddock's Grave is accessed by driving and parking at the grave site. 

Parking / Drop Off

Parking:

• 1 Van-accessible space
• 17 Regular spaces

Drop Off:

• Drop off area for buses and other large vehicles is located at the entrance of the parking lot where bus parking is located.
• There is a lowered section in the sidewalk curb for wheelchair access.

Path

The path leading to the large stone monument is:

• Paved
• 320 feet long
• 5 feet wide
• Average running slope: 3 degrees
• Maximum running slope: 6 degrees
• Average cross slope: 1 degree
• Maximum cross slope: 2 degrees

Restrooms

There are no restrooms at the grave site

• The closest restrooms are in the visitor center.

 

Jumonville Glen

Jumonville Glen is accessed by driving and parking at the trailhead. Jumonville Glen is closed seasonally from November 1 to April 30.

Parking / Drop Off

Parking:

• 1 Van accessible space
• 9 Regular spaces

Drop Off:

• Drop off area for buses and other large vehicles is located at the trailhead.
• There is a lowered section in the sidewalk curb for wheelchair access.

Path

The path from the parking lot to view the glen is:

• Narrow 
• Paved, though the pavement is deteriorating
• 150 yards to the view into the glen
• Total walking trail is 0.5 miles

Restrooms

• There is a single-user vault toilet near the parking lot.
• There is no running water at this location.

 

Picnic Area

The picnic area can be accessed from the visitor center by hiking the trail system as well as driving and parking at the picnic area. The road is not accessible to buses or RVs. The picnic area and road are closed seasonally from November 1 to April 30.

Parking / Drop Off

Parking:

• 2 accessible parking spaces
• All other parking is unmarked in a gravel lot
• Area is not accessible to buses or RVs

Drop Off:

• There is no designated drop off location in the picnic area parking lot.

Path

• There is no change in level between the parking lot and the paved level path that leads to the accessible picnic tables.
• The accessible picnic tables are on a paved surface.

Restrooms

• There is a single-user vault toilet near the parking lot.
• There is no running water at this location.

Picnic Tables

• 3 Designated accessible picnic tables on a paved section; the ground is not flat or level in this section.
• 12 Regular picnic tables dispersed in the nearby woods.
• 1 Cooking grill availble in accessible section.
• 6 other cooking grills available.

 

Trails

Hiking trails can be accessed by parking at the Visior Center or the Picnic area parking lot.

Forest to Outer Meadow Loop Trail

The Forest to Outer Meadow Loop Trail starts and ends at the fort, with various opportunites to transition to the other hiking trails along the loop.

• Trailhead is located at the visitor center.
• There are resting areas with benches along the trail.
• Foot traffic only

This path is: (Information coming soon)

• Substrate type
• x miles long
• x feet wide
• Average running slope
• Max running slope
• Average cross slope 
• Max cross slope 

Forest to Inner Meadow Loop

The Forest to Inner Meadow Loop Trail starts and ends at the fort, with various opportunites to transition to the other hiking trails along the loop.

• Trailhead is located at the visitor center.
• There are resting areas with benches along the trail.
• Foot traffic only

This path is: (Information coming soon)

• Substrate type
• x miles long
• x feet wide
• Average running slope
• Max running slope
• Average cross slope 
• Max cross slope 

Inner Meadow to Outer Meadow Loop

The Inner Meadow to Outer Meadow Loop Trail starts and ends at the fort, with one opportunity to transition to another hiking trail along the loop.

• Trailhead is located at the visitor center.
• There are resting areas with benches along the trail.
• Foot traffic only

This path is: (Information coming soon)

• Substrate type
• x miles long
• x feet wide
• Average running slope
• Max running slope
• Average cross slope 
• Max cross slope 

Indian Run Loop

The Indian Run Loop Trail starts and ends at the French Camp & Outdoor Theater, with one opportunity to transition to another hiking trail along the loop.

• Trailhead is located at the visitor center.
• There are resting areas with benches along the trail.
• Foot traffic only

This path is: (Information coming soon)

• Substrate type
• x miles long
• x feet wide
• Average running slope
• Max running slope
• Average cross slope 
• Max cross slope 

Picnic Area Loop

The Picnic Loop Trail starts and ends at the picnic area parking lot with one opportunity to transition to another hiking trail along the loop.

• Trailheads are located at the picnic area & visitor center.
• There are resting areas with benches along the trail.
• Foot traffic only

This path is: (Information coming soon)

• Substrate type
• x miles long
• x feet wide
• Average running slope
• Max running slope
• Average cross slope 
• Max cross slope