How We Rate Accessibility

Last checked: Oct 16, 2026

We rate each place for wheelchair users in six areas: Overall, Entry & Arrival, Getting Around / Paths, Restrooms, Parking & Drop-off and Staff & Info. Scores run from 1 to 5 teal wheels, always with the number and a label, such as "4 of 5 · Very accessible". Area scores are whole wheels, except when a core part of the visit isn't accessible and there's no in-person alternative. Overall is an average and can land on a half wheel.

A half score like 4.5 shows the number with the label of the level below, so 4.5 of 5 reads Very accessible.

A half score uses the label of the level below it. These level labels describe the Overall score. The individual areas usually show where their score came from instead, but an area score lowered for a stated limit uses the level label, as explained below.

What the label after a score means

Next to some scores, the label tells you where it came from:

• Venue states ADA compliant: the venue or its official operator says this area meets the ADA, and we haven't checked it in person.
• Venue states accessible: the venue or its official operator says this area is accessible, and we haven't checked it in person.
• Trusted source states accessible: a source we trust, such as a tourism office or an experienced wheelchair travel writer, says this area is accessible.
• Trusted visitor report: a trusted wheelchair traveler describes visiting this place and getting through this area.
• Team guidance for public facilities: a public facility is taken to have accessible restrooms unless a source says otherwise, and the score follows that rule.
• Team guidance for drive-throughs: you stay in your vehicle for the whole visit, so we score entry and paths by our drive-through rule.
• Checked in person by the Rolling Atlas team: someone from our team visited and checked this area.

How we score

• We check multiple sources: the venue's official site, TripAdvisor and other recent visitor reviews, trusted wheelchair travel bloggers, other credible travel bloggers, and Visit North Alabama.
• We take the venue at its word. If it says it's accessible or ADA compliant, it scores high, and we note that we haven't personally verified it. Public facilities built or renovated under current rules are presumed to have accessible restrooms unless a source says otherwise, and we note that too.
• Scores go down only for limits the venue tells us about, or when several recent visitors report the same lasting problem. The cut is usually one wheel, and you'll see a short Why beside the score. Temporary problems, such as a broken elevator or construction, get a dated note instead.
• Overall is the average of the other scores, rounded to the nearest half wheel. It's capped at 4.5 when the venue or an official source states a barrier. If too few areas have scores, Overall reads "Not enough info yet." A few Overalls were set by our team's review, and those pages say so.
• Optional extras, such as an observation deck or an upper floor, don't lower a score. We just mention them.
• Not verified means we found nothing about that area. At scenic pull-offs, restrooms are marked Not applicable.

Good to know

Our team's guidance: Packed gravel is usually manageable with power chairs and scooters; loose or deep gravel, with wheeled walkers or manual chairs, can be difficult to impassable.

Wooden boardwalks can be slippery when wet, especially under trees; this affects people walking (including with canes or walkers) more than people in wheelchairs or scooters.

Every fact links to its source and shows when we checked it. Details change, so please contact the venue before you go.