Accessibility Resources
South Dakota invites visitors of all abilities to experience our state’s natural wonders, awe-inspiring beauty and wide-open spaces.
Whether you’re planning to visit landmark attractions like Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Badlands National Park or take part in South Dakota’s renowned hunting and fishing, we hope this page can help you build your ideal vacation itinerary in the 605 state.
Getting Here & Around
South Dakota Airports
Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) is the first airport in the Dakotas to join the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program. Through this program, free sunflower lanyards are available at the terminal and can be worn as a subtle way of letting others know that the wearer has a non-visible disability and may require additional support. RAP also can provide ground transportation to people in wheelchairs, and houses service-animal relief areas pre- and post-security. Find more accessibility information here.
Other airports in South Dakota include Sioux Falls Regional Airport (FSD), Pierre Regional Airport (PIR), Huron Regional Airport (HON), Watertown Regional Airport (ATY) and Aberdeen Regional Airport (ABR). Prior to your flight, we recommend contacting your arrival and departure airports for information on assistance and other available accessibility services.
Public Transportation
The South Dakota Department of Transportation works with rural, urban and specialized providers to offer public transportation throughout the state. To find transportation in the cities you will be visiting, check out this interactive map. The map includes location, contact information, service times and areas. We recommend contacting your chosen provider for accessibility information.
There are also several car-rental companies that offer wheelchair-accessible vans. In Tea, located just minutes from Sioux Falls, Mobility Works Van Rentals has short- and long-term van rentals available. In Rapid City, Black Hills Mobility has a wide selection of vehicles that are accessible to people with mobility needs.
Find more car rentals and public transportation services here
South Dakota Welcome Centers
More than a dozen Welcome Centers and rest areas line I-90 and I-29 in South Dakota. These centers are accessible or partially accessible to visitors in wheelchairs. From mid-May through September, the five Interstate Welcome Centers are also staffed with helpful travel counselors who are happy to assist you to the best of their ability.
Accessible Attractions
The 605 state offers an array of attractions and activities that are wheelchair friendly and have special offerings for people with disabilities. The Children's Museum of South Dakota in Brookings hosts weekly sensory-friendly play designed for children who are autistic or have sensory sensitivities. Most of the state's Great 8 attractions, like Wind Cave National Park, Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Custer State Park, are wheelchair accessible, have ASL interpretation available by request and offer guided or self-guided tours that can be altered to accommodate individual needs. Art and culture enthusiasts will also find many wheelchair-friendly museums and galleries throughout the state.
Discover more accessible attractions in South Dakota
Wheelchair-Friendly & Accessible Accommodations
From cozy lodges and cabins in the Black Hills to historic and boutique hotels, South Dakota boasts a large selection of wheelchair-friendly lodging options. To ensure that the property can accommodate your specific needs, we recommend reaching out to them directly.
Explore wheelchair-accessible hotels and lodging in South Dakota
Fishing & Hunting
Fishing and hunting are two of South Dakota's favorite pastimes. In an effort to make these activities accessible to more people, the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department (GFP) has created several wheelchair-friendly hunting and fishing areas throughout the state.
For hunters in wheelchairs, trails and hunting blinds have been selected for ease of access and adequate pull-off areas. For anglers, GFP offers fishing areas and parks with floating piers that have low railings, accessible ramps and sidewalks and nearby wheelchair-friendly parking.
GFP also rents out Action Track powered wheelchairs that allow people with limited mobility to enjoy hunting, fishing and outdoor areas they wouldn’t normally be able to access. To rent a Track Chair, call the Outdoor Campus West at 605-394-2391.
Additional Resources & Services
Other helpful resources include the following:
WSR Solutions Wheelchair Repairs
Numotion Wheelchair Repairs
Dakotabilities
South Dakota Department of Human Services
We welcome travelers of all abilities to explore our wide-open spaces and inspiring places. Say #HiFromSD to share your vacation experiences.
