Physical / Mobility

Visitor Center Area

The visitor center is located at:
11149 US Highway 16
Custer, SD 57730

Parking and Drop Off Area

The parking lot at the Visitor Center has:

• 1 RV/van-accessible space (46 feet long by 9.5 feet wide)
• 5 standard accessible spaces
• 116 other spaces
• 11 RV/van spaces (60 feet long by 9.5 feet wide)

Visitors 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:

• Concrete with handrails on both sides
• Width: 7 feet
• Length: 370 feet, with flat and level landings every 15 feet
• Average slope: 8.5%

The 44 stairs are:

• Concrete with handrails on both sides
• Width: 7 feet

Ticket Kiosk

• Located at the end of the parking area, next to the drop off area
• Has a lower counter height at 24 inches off the ground with 9 inches knee and toe clearance
• The card reader used for cave tour fees can be passed across the counter.

Restrooms

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

• Split by gender
• Have automatic doors operated by a push button
• Each restroom has one larger stall intended for wheelchair users. The women's restroom has three standard stalls and the men's restroom has one standard stall and two urinals.

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
• Theater seating is folding chairs or a long wooden bench, with spaces set aside at the front and back for someone in a wheelchair

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
  • Discovery Tour: Takes places on a paved platform that is accessed by an elevator.
  • Scenic Tour: A half-mile tour route with 734 stairs, though the beginning is accessed by an elevator.
  • Wild Cave Tour: 3–4 hour, extremely strenuous tour which involves climbing, crawling, and squeezing through a cave.

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.

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

The vault toilet is:

• Equipped with a grab bar
• Does not have running water
• Has hand sanitizer
• 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 due to the presence of steps and the steepness of the trails. 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.