Physical / Mobility

 

Passengers can be dropped off in front of the Ticket Kiosk where cave tour tickets may be purchased. The visitor center is located downhill and accessed by a ramp or 44 stairs.

NPS Photo

Visitor Center Area

The visitor center is located at:
11149 U.S. Hwy. 16
Custer, SD 57730

Parking and Drop Off Area

The parking lot at the Visitor Center has:

• 1 long vehicle accessible parking space
• 5 regular length accessible parking spaces
• 116 standard parking spaces
• 11 long vehicle parking spaces

Visitors with mobility concerns can be dropped off and picked up in front of the ticket kiosk. The pathway from the drop-off point to the visitor center is either a ramp or three flights of stairs.

Path from Parking and Drop Off Area to Visitor Center

The path between the parking and drop off area to the visitor center is a paved ramp or 44 paved stairs.
The ramp is:

• Paved with hand rails on both sides
• Width: 7 feet
• Length: 370 feet
• Average slope: 8.5%

The 44 stairs are:

• Paved with hand rails on both sides
• Width: 7 feet
• Stair tread depth: 16 inches
• Stair riser height: 6 inches

Ticket Kiosk

• Located at the end of the parking area, next to the drop off area
• Has low windows with an exterior counter at a height suitable for use by someone in a wheelchair
• The card reader used for cave tour fees can be passed across the counter for use by someone in a wheelchair

Theater Building

• Located at the bottom of the path from the parking and drop off area, to the left of the visitor center
• Has an automatic door opener
• The park film has captions with an audio described version available upon request (Please see a ranger at the front desk inside the visitor center to play the audio described version.)
• Theater seating is folding chairs or a long wooden bench, with spaces set aside at the front and back for someone in a wheelchair to enjoy the film with their party

Restrooms

Restrooms are in the visitor center, but accessed through a separate entrance.
The restrooms are:

• Split into Men and Women
• Have automatic doors operated by a manual push button
• Each restroom has one larger stall intended for wheelchair users. The Women's restroom has three additional stalls and the Men's restroom has an additional stall and two additional standing urinals.

Wheelchair Loans

One regular wheelchair is available for loan at the visitor center. There is no fee for this loan; however, it will be loaned first-come, first-served. This chair may be used to navigate the Visitor Center Area and the Discovery Tour.
In addition, a GRIT Freedom wheelchair is also available for loan (first-come, first-served) for use on certain areas of the trails within the monument.

 

Visitor Center Interior

Building Access

• There is a large flat paved patio area in front of the visitor center.
• The main entrance of the visitor center has a double set of manual swinging doors.

Water Fountain and Water Bottle Filling Station

• Located to the right immediately inside the main entrance.
• Elevated to allow easy access for someone using a wheelchair.

Information Desk

• As you enter the visitor center, immediately to the right is the information desk.
• Around the side of the information desk is an area with a lower portion where visitors can speak with park rangers.

Exhibits

• The visitor center features exhibits where you can learn about the natural and cultural history of Jewel Cave National Monument.
• The exhibits are spaced to allow easy navigation with a wheelchair.
• Some exhibits contain tactile and/or audio features.

Bookstore

• There is a bookstore in the visitor center run by Black Hills Parks & Forests Association, a non-profit park partner.
• Displays and shelves are spaced to allow easy navigation through the store.

Programs

• Interpretive Talks
  • Through the summer, interpretive talks take place on the paved patio in front of the visitor center or inside the visitor center (weather dependent).
• Guided Nature Hikes
  • Through the summer, guided nature hikes are led on the Roof Trail. Information about trail conditions can be found on the Hiking Trails page.
• Guided Cave Tours
  • The Discovery Tour is accessed by a wheelchair accessible elevator and stays on a paved platform in one large room.
  • The Scenic Tour is accessed by a wheelchair accessible elevator and continues on a half-mile tour route with 734 stairs.
  • The Wild Cave Tour is accessed by a wheelchair accessible elevator and continues on a 3-4 hour extremely strenuous tour which involves climbing, crawling, and squeezing through the cave.

 

These stone steps were originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s to provide easier access to the Historic Entrance to Jewel Cave.

NPS Photo

Historic Area

The historic area is located one mile west of the visitor center on Hwy. 16. Images of this area can be viewed in the Photo Gallery below.

Parking Area

The parking lot in the Historic Area has:

• 1 accessible parking space
• 27 standard parking spaces

Paths

• To Historic Cabin
  • Gravel
  • Width: 4 feet
  • Length: 160 feet
  • Average slope: 8.5 %
• From Historic Cabin to Historic Entrance
  • Paved with approximately 40 uneven stone steps (see pictured)

Restrooms

A single vault toilet is located in the parking lot of the Historic Area.
The vault toilet is:

• Equipped with a grab bar
• Wheelchair accessible
• Accessed by a flat paved path

Historic Cabin

The front porch of the Historic Cabin is accessed by three log steps and the back door is accessed by two stone steps. There is currently no access for wheelchairs to the cabin.

Historic Lantern Tour

The Historic Lantern Tour is accessed on a gravel and paved path with approximately 40 uneven stone steps. Information about the Historic Lantern Tour can be found on the Guided Tours page.

 

 

Trails

The hiking trails are not considered wheelchair accessible; however, there are two different trails at the monument that vary in difficulty and length. More information about trails can be found on the Hiking Trails page here.