Wheelchair-Accessible Camping Cabins at Custer State Park
Although there’s no shortage of accessible lodging options in and around Custer State Park (gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/custer-state-park), there’s something to be said for foregoing the creature comforts and spending the night in a a more natural setting. That doesn’t mean you have to rough it though. Quite the contrary, as these wheelchair-accessible camping cabins at Custer State Park offer a number of modern amenities. And you just can’t beat the location — just a few miles north of the West Entrance to Wildlife Loop Drive in the Blue Bell Campground.
Comfortable Camping Cabins
To be honest, the Blue Bell Campground is easy to miss, as it’s hard to see the sign for it when you are heading south on Highway 87. The turn is located just past Blue Bell Lodge on the left– look for the stables. After you turn in, you’ll see the sign pointing to the campground. Just follow the sign to the camping cabins.
Cabins 14 and 15, which are located across from the showerhouse, are the wheelchair-accessible camping cabins. They each have a paved parking area in front, with level access over to the ramped front deck. The one-room cabins boasts a level threshold, a wide door and wood flooring for easy rolling. They are furnished with two 23-inch high bunk beds with room for a wheelchair between them. One lower bunk is a double, while the rest are twins. Linens are not provided, so make sure and pack along some sheets or a sleeping bag. Other furnishings include a table and a bench, a storage shelf and a coat hook.
As an added bonus each cabin also has two electric outlets. overhead lighting, heating and air conditioning. And there’s an accessible picnic table on the spacious deck, and a raised grill next to each cabin. As an added bonus, the cabins are located in a verdant pine forest, in a quiet campground.
There’s an accessible family shower in the showerhouse. It’s equipped with a roll-in shower with grab bars, a hand-held showerhead and a fixed shower bench. Other access features include a full five-foot turning radius, toilet grab bars on the back and right walls (as seated) and a roll-under sink.
Bottom line — the Blue Bell Campground offers comfortable and affordable wheelchair-accessible camping cabins in Custer State Park. Visit reservations.gooutdoorssouthdakota.com for reservations.
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