Blind / Low Vision

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 is paved. There is a curbed path surrounding the parking area, with curb ramp access points next to all accessible parking spaces. These ramps are equiped with truncated domes.

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

Theater Building

• Located at the bottom of the path from the parking and drop off area, to the left of the visitor center
• 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 to the right of the stairs/ramp.

• The restroom is split into men's and women's.
• The men's room is on the right and the women's room is on the left.
• 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.

 

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 is straight across the patio from the bottom of the stairs and ramp.

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.
• Braille copies of the park brochure are available here.

Exhibits

• Directly in front of the main entrance doors, there is a large display of rocks and pine trees with informational panels surrounding the display.
• To the right of the Information Desk is a large circular room with exhibits about cave geology and exploration. These exhibits include tactile and audio features and are located along the walls with a large central display.
• Audio description of the displays is available upon request at the Information Desk.

Bookstore

• Immediately to the left as you enter the visitor center, there is a bookstore in the visitor center run by Black Hills Parks & Forests Association, a non-profit park partner.

 

Historic Area

The historic area is located one mile west of the visitor center on Hwy. 16.

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
• 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 Historic Cabin is made of ponderosa pine logs. There is a front porch and three interior rooms. This cabin is only accessible with a ranger, who can also describe the interior of the cabin.

 

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.