Category: South Dakota Federal

Wind Cave National Park
Below the rolling prairie grasslands and forests of this national park lies Wind Cave “one of the longest and most complex caves in the world. Named for barometric winds at its entrance, this maze of passages is home to boxwork, a unique geologic structure.”  The cave was a sacred place for many American Indian tribes.  The park’s 33,851 acres includes pristine remnant prairie habitat, home to bison, elk, pronghorn, mule deer, coyotes, prairie dogs and the re-introduced black-footed ferret.
Accessibility  Written scripts are available for the hearing impaired and sign-language rangers may be available.  Here is the Park Website.
Accessible Cave Tours  Call ahead 605-745-4600 for information and to make arrangements. There are fees charged for these services.
“The visitor center and the cave are accessible to people who are blind or have low vision. However, cave trails are dimly lighted, often narrow, and may be wet and slippery in certain areas. There are numerous stairs along all of the tour routes. Persons with vision impairments should be cautious when entering the cave. Bringing an extra flashlight could assist visitors with vision impairments see steps and ceiling areas better”  Call ahead 605-745-4600 for information and to make arrangements for a Special Cave Tour.  There are fees charged for these services.
Trails   Phone 605-745-4600  Map
These trails are described as easy but have some elevation gain and loss.  Check with the Visitor Center to be sure they are suitable for your needs.
? Wind Cave Canyon   1.8 mile former road through limestone cliffs and forested hillsides.  Most of this trail is flat, but you do go over one small hill.  Map
? Elk Mountain 1.2 miles around the Elk Mountain Campground. Guide     Map
? Rankin Ridge 1 mile nature loop with great views from the top.  Judging from the map, there may be a steep stretch.  Check first.   Map 
? Prairie Vista 1 mile interpretive loop from visitor center.   Map

Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge
Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge’s wetland resources create a sanctuary within the semi-arid Great Plains landscape.
Here is their website.   Phone (605) 685-6508   Map
Brian, from the refuge, describes the trails as relatively flat, mowed grass. “Not truly accessible trails but relatively flat, short, and easy hikes.”
Pelican Island Trail 0.25 mile  “This walking trail provides visitors with the rare opportunity to view American white pelicans nesting on two islands within Pool 9 on the Refuge. During late April and early May, visitors will see thousands of white pelicans located on these islands. There are great blue heron, snowy and cattle egret, double-crested cormorant, and black crowned night heron rookeries on the islands as well.”
0.25 mile  loop around the display  pond.  “Large willows, cottonwoods, and other shrubs often provides the opportunity to observe warblers and other birds species not commonly found in our grasslands and wetlands.”

Black Hills National Forest
The Black Hills rise from the adjacent grasslands into a ponderosa pine forest. Described as an “Island in the Plains,” the Forest has diverse wildlife and plants reaching from the eastern forests to the western plains.
Here is their website.  Phone (605) 673-9200   Brochure and Map
There are quite a few trails rated “Easy”, but not rated wheelchair accessible. Trails with difficulty ratings   Check out this blog of Top 7 Black Hills Family Hikes  
Roughlock Falls Nature Area 1 mile  Map  “Bird watching, wildlife viewing, fishing and picnicking can all be enjoyed in the nature area.”
Veterans Point Trail  0.75 mile  paved trail  among large ponderosa pines.  Restrooms and fishing piers.  At times, this trail is under water.  Call first.
Osprey Trail (Black Hills Trail #58) has two loops, one .8 mile and another 1.5 miles.
Map & Brochure   It is described as easy, but you should call first 605-343-1567 or 605-574-2534 to inquire about obstacles and trail condition.

Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge
“Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge is a place of wetlands, grasslands, and riverside forests. During spring and fall migrations, clouds of waterfowl and shorebirds darken the sky.”
Here is the Refuge website.   Map  Phone (605) 487-7603  Images
?? “At the Complex headquarters, a short nature trail meanders along the wooded shore of Lake Andes, passes through a series of small prairie ponds, skirts the edge of Owens Bay, and returns through native grassland uplands. The abundance of waterfowl and grassland birds make this an excellent trail for birding. ”  One of the photographs shows a stretch of boardwalk which is maybe 4 inches or so above the dirt trail.  That might be difficult for a power chair.  Call to learn more.

Badlands National Park
The barren and rugged badlands of this 244,000 acre national park contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. Ancient mammals such as the rhino, horse, and saber-toothed cat once roamed here.  Today, the park now protects mixed-grass prairie habitat for bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets.
Phone (605) 433-5361  Accessibility   Maps
Door Trail 0.25 mile  “boardwalk leads through a break in the Badlands Wall known as “the Door” and to a view of the Badlands.”
Window Trail 0.25 mile. “short trail leads to a natural window in the Badlands Wall with a view of an intricately eroded canyon.”
Fossil  Exhibit Trail  0.25 mile “Fully accessible boardwalk trail features fossil replicas and exhibits of now extinct creatures that once roamed the area. “