Cape Breton Highlands National Park of Canada

Accessible Facilities and Services

Before You Arrive:

Audio Cassette Tapes

General park information is available on audio tapes by mail or at Visitor Centres. (Brochure information read by CNIB staff.) Available in French or English.

Self-guiding audio tapes describe the landscapes and features as you drive. You can purchase from the Les Amis Nature Bookshop located at the Park Information Centres or order by mail to:

Specify whether you want the "Ingonish to Chéticamp", or "Chéticamp to Ingonish" copy. Available in French and English. ($14.00 tax and postage included.)

Reception Areas Once You Arrive:

Ingonish Entrance:

• Wheelchair accessible public telephone.
  
• The INGONISH INFORMATION CENTRE is not wheelchair accessible; for information, go to North Bay Operations Office 4 km north (2.5 mi.)
  

North Bay Office (Operations):

• Wheelchair accessible unisex washroom, parking, and information office. (TDD/TTY unit available here.) The entrance door is heavy and assistance may be needed.
  

Chéticamp Entrance:

• CHÉTICAMP INFORMATION CENTRE Completely wheelchair accessible on one level.
  
• Paved parking, washrooms, exhibits, indoor theatre, and information desk with lower counter space.
  
• TDD/TTY unit available in Visitor Centre office.
  
• Automated audio/visual program with closed captioning. Audio FM transmitters available at front desk.
  
• Exhibits are typeset at 24 point letters with 6 point between lines. There are several hands-on exhibits and a kids' activity section.
  
• Public pay telephones.
  
• Exterior bulletin boards.
  
• Exterior water fountain.
  

Picnic and Day Use Areas

Ingonish Beach Day Use Area Completely Wheelchair Accessible

• Parking (fine compacted stone)
  
• New modern public washroom with accessible stalls and an accessible unisex washroom with change bench.
  
• Exterior water fountain.
  
• 2 wheelchair accessible picnic sites.
  
• Freshwater lake beach (supervised swimming). Ramp and decking to the sand beach.
  
• 1.5 km trail (see trail section).
  
• Tennis Courts.
  
• Large print orientation sign panel and bulletin boards.
  

Black Brook North Picnic Area

• Washroom minimally accessible - may need assistance.
  
• Paved accessible parking lot.

Campgrounds:

Ingonish Campground

• Accessible washroom complete with accessible shower.
  

Broad Cove Campground

• 2 accessible tenting sites with electrical hook-up. (finely crushed stone surface.)
  
• Accessible unisex washroom and shower.
  
• Accessible water fountain on the back of #5 building.
  
• 2 accessible trailer sites with three-way hookups.
  

Chéticamp Campground

• New modern wheelchair accessible unisex washroom and shower building.
  
• 2 accessible tent sites (both with electrical hookups.)
  
• Kitchen shelter will be accessible to wheelchairs this summer.
  
• 1 accessible 3-way trailer site available within 100 metres (100 yds) of accessible washroom.
  
• Outdoor theatre - accessible seating areas, gravel path to theatre, compacted fine gravel parking area.
  

Roadside Exhibits and Lookoffs:

Lakie's Head Lookoff

• Wheelchair accessible ramp to viewing platform and exhibit panels.
  
• Accessible parking.
  

Mackenzie Mountain Lookoffs (3)

• Wheelchair accessible
  

Trails:

Bog Trail

• (½ hr drive from Chéticamp) - .6 km (.4mi) boardwalk loop trail with bumpers all round. 14 self-guiding sign panels describe the life, importance, and complexity of the bog.
  
• Accessible unisex vault privy.
  

Freshwater Lake Trail (at Ingonish Beach Day Use Area)

1.5 Km (.9 mi.) compacted fine gravel wheelchair accessible loop trail, 5% grade, with handrails. The trail follows the ocean and lake shore, through the woods, past a beaver pond and returns along an old paved road to the parking area, 3 viewing lookoffs (lake, ocean, and beaver pond). Rest areas with benches. Large print orientation map at trail head at Ingonish Beach (see Picnic and Day Use Areas).

All-terrain Wheelchair:

A manual chair is available for public use (no charge) at the Chéticamp Information Centre. A second one is available in the Ingonish area, but please call ahead to ensure it is available (902) 285-2691.