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Accessibility in SD State Parks
The SD Department of Game,
Fish and Parks strives to accommodate the needs of people of all abilities
to enjoy South Dakota’s outdoor resources by providing greater
accessibility to facilities and programs for persons with disabilities.
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| Campsites | ||
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Accessible campsites are found in 33 South
Dakota state parks and recreation areas. These campsites feature
accessible picnic tables, sidewalks, electricity, close parking and are
usually located near the park’s comfort station.
Reservations for these sites are available. Accessible campsites are found in the following parks: |
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| Camping Cabins | ||
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Over forty percent of the
camping cabins in the SD state parks are accessible. (Fifty cabins
found in 26 parks.) These one-room, log-style cabins each have heating,
air conditioning and electricity. Furnishings include a set of bunk beds,
double bed, table and benches. Outside, a fire grate, picnic table and the
porch provide a pleasant place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Accessible
cabins feature accessible picnic tables, sidewalks, a ramp to the porch,
nearby parking and wide doors. Service animals are permitted inside the
cabins; please inform the park staff before you arrive.
Reservations for these cabins are available. Accessible camping cabins are found in the following parks: |
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| Group Lodges | ||
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All three of the group
lodge facilities are accessible and feature sidewalks, ramps, nearby
parking, wide doors and accessible shower and kitchen facilities. Service
animals are permitted inside the lodges; please inform the park staff
before you arrive. Each lodge is unique in style and location and is a
great place for a group to gather at any time of the year.
Reservations for these lodges are available. Accessible group lodge facilities are found in the following parks: |
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| Comfort Stations | ||
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The majority of the modern comfort stations in the SD
state park system are accessible, featuring close parking, sidewalks, wide
doors, accessible showers with seats and stalls with grab bars. Service
animals are permitted inside the buildings. Accessible
comfort stations are found in the following parks:
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| Picnic Shelters | ||
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Picnic shelters with accessible tables, close
parking and sidewalks can be found in 34 state parks and recreation areas.
Reservations for these picnic shelters are
available. Accessible picnic shelters are found in the following parks: |
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| Reservations for Accessible Sites and Facilities | ||
| Reservations for accessible campsites, camping cabins, group lodges and picnic shelters are available online at www.CampSD.com or by calling 1-800-710-CAMP (2267). To reserve an accessible site or facility, you will be asked to provide your accessible permit number and the expiration date. Accessible campsites are held for those with disabilities unless they are the very last electrical site left in the park. Those without an accessible permit are limited to reservations of three days for an accessible campsite. The South Dakota Relay Service provides free telephone accessibility services to people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing or speech-disabled; dial 7-1-1 from anywhere inside South Dakota, or 1-800-877-1113 from anywhere outside the state. | ||
| Visitor Centers / Education Centers | ||
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Nine of the visitor/education centers
located in the SD state parks are accessible. These buildings feature
nearby parking, sidewalks, wide doors, ramps and accessible bathroom
facilities. Service animals are permitted inside the buildings. Accessible visitor/education centers are located in the following parks:
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| Trails | ||
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Accessible hiking trails are located at
15 parks. These trails are either paved or are comprised of a hard-packed
surface to facilitate use. Any slopes or bridges are modified to allow a
smooth transition. Guided golf cart tours are available at Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve for people with physical disabilities that would like to enjoy the park’s trail system. The free tours are conducted by park staff and are normally available Monday through Friday, from May through September. Reservations are required at least a week before arrival, and may depend on the availability of park staff. Family members of the individual with a disability are also invited to participate. For more information, contact the park by email or call (605) 232-0873. In addition, a program is offered each summer for those with physical disabilities to enjoy the Mickelson Trail in the Black Hills. The SD Game, Fish and Parks, the City of Deadwood, the Deadwood Chamber of Commerce, and the Neighborhood Housing Services of the Black Hills offer trolley rides at least once a month from June to September to take people out on a portion of the scenic trail. For upcoming dates and for more information, contact the Black Hills Trail office by email or call (605) 584-3896. Accessible hiking trails are located in the following parks: |
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| Fishing Docks | ||
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To ensure that everyone has the
opportunity to catch "the big one," accessible fishing docks have been
installed in 18 state parks. These floating piers feature low railings,
accessible ramps, sidewalks and nearby parking. In addition, the
department offers a number of licenses and permits for persons with
disabilities who qualify.
Click here to learn more. Accessible fishing docks are found in the following parks: Other accessible GFP fishing areas include piers on the LaFramboise Island causeway near Pierre, Lake Oahe tailwaters near Pierre, Mirror Lake and Coxes Lake near Spearfish, Ravine Lake near Huron and Lake Mitchell near Mitchell on the west end of the fishing bridge. |
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| Hunting | ||
| The SD Department of Game, Fish and Parks has several areas and programs designed to give opportunities to hunters of all abilities. For more information on these areas and to learn about licenses and permits specifically for people with disabilities, click here. | ||
| Park Programs and Events | ||
 The SD state parks makes every effort
to ensure that all visitors can enjoy the many park programs and special
events held throughout the year. Click here for a list of upcoming events.
If you are in need of any accommodations or are concerned about
accessibility, please contact the Division of Parks and Recreation by
email or call (605) 773-3391 a minimum of two weeks prior to the event so
that arrangements can be made for requested reasonable accommodations.Three events in state parks are held specifically to increase the opportunity for people with physical disabilities to enjoy the outdoors. Visitors can enjoy the scenic Mickelson Trail in the Black Hills with a trip on a trolley once a month, June through Sept. (See the Trails section of this page for more information.) In addition, a program is in place at Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve that provides golf cart trail rides for those with limited mobility. (See the Trails section of this page for more information.) Also, a firearms deer hunt for people with disabilities is held every November at Oahe Downstream Recreation Area near Fort Pierre. (See information on Hunting accessibility.) |
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| Disability Licenses and Permits | ||
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Certain South Dakota disabled veterans
are eligible for free admission and reduced camping fees in the SD state
parks. To qualify, you must be a South Dakota resident who has received
one of the following: 1) a veteran’s allotment for a total disability
which is deemed a service-connected injury, 2) the United States Veterans
Administration "K" Award, or 3) was held as a prisoner of war. Once
approved, the applicant will receive one free annual park entrance as well
as a camping services permit allowing the permit holder a 50 percent
discount on camping fees. Applications are available by
download
(requires
Adobe Acrobat Reader), or by calling (605) 773-3391. In addition, the SD Department of Game, Fish and Parks offers a number of hunting and fishing licenses and permits for individuals with disabilities and former prisoners of war. For more information about these permits, and to learn about accessible hunting and fishing access areas, click here. |
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| Resorts and Marinas | ||
| Several state parks and recreation areas have resort and concession areas in the park. These businesses are privately operated under agreement with the Division of Parks and Recreation, and many feature accessible facilities. Please contact the establishments directly for more information on accessible features. | ||
| Contact Us | ||
| To learn more about the SD state parks, explore www.SDparks.info or email us with your questions. You can also call the Division of Parks and Recreation office at (605) 773-3391 or contact the individual park directly. The South Dakota Relay Service provides free telephone accessibility services to people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing or speech-disabled; dial 7-1-1 from anywhere inside South Dakota, or 1-800-877-1113 from anywhere outside the state. | ||
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Copyright Ó 2005 State of South Dakota |