Accessible parking
When you arrive, enter the main parking area passing a blue gate and an admission sign. You will see the front of the Visitor Center as you pull up.
Drop off
If you need to drop off a passenger with a mobility impairment, pull right up to the front of the Visitor Center, you may unload your passenger there. After unloading, find an open parking space.
Accessible parking spaces
There are five disability parking spots available in the lot. The pathway from the parking lot to the visitor center is paved.
Wheelchairs
Manual wheelchairs (standard size) and two Grit wheelchairs are available to checkout inside the Visitor Center. Wheelchairs are available first come, first served and are free to use.
Mobility impairments
The pathways around the Visitor Center and in the Historic Core of the property are ADA accessible via concrete pathways.
The Lighthouse observation deck is not accessible and has 22 stairs to the viewing platform. To enter the Lighthouse there are 4 steps. The Lighthouse tower has 32 steps to the top.
The fog signal, which is located on the observation deck, does have an accessible ramp. The Restore Keepers has an accessible ramp. To reach the second floor of the home, there are 15 steps.
The 0.29 mile trail to the lake located to the west of the visitor center is a gravel pathway. There is 108 feet of elevation gain if coming form the shore. The shoreline below the historic site consists of large lake rocks and boulders.
There are rest areas along all the trails with benches.
Hearing impairments
ASL interpreters for school groups, special programs, and events are available with a minimum of two weeks' notice. Contact Split Rock Lighthouse at 218-226-6372 or splitrock@mnhs.org.
Videos
All multimedia throughout the exhibits and the 13-minute film on the history of Split Rock Lighthouse include closed captioning.
Visual impairments
A braille visitor’s guide is available upon request from the visitor center.
Sensory or communication disabilities
A recording of a foghorn on site sounds two to three times an hour. A schedule is posted to inform guests of the day’s horn activity in the fog signal building.
Restrooms
A family restroom is available in the visitor center with a baby changing station. Both men’s and women’s restrooms are also equipped with diaper changing stations.
The toilets in the visitor center are not auto-flush.
Service animals
Service animals, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, are permitted to accompany visitors with disabilities in all areas open to the public at Split Rock Lighthouse.
The 2010 revision to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act defines a “service animal” as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.
The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. A dog that is in training to become a service animal is not considered a service animal.
Emotional support animals
Comfort or emotional support animals do not qualify as service animals. The key difference between a service animal and a comfort animal is that a service animal is trained to do work or perform tasks, whereas a comfort or emotional support animal is not.
Comfort animals, and pets are subject to the Minnesota Historical Society’s pet regulations and are not allowed into the Visitor Center. For more information about where your pets are allowed, reference our Pets page.
MNHS statement on accessibility
Split Rock Lighthouse welcomes all visitors. We recognize the diverse needs of our audience and strive to offer accessible programming to enable all visitors to explore this historic site.
However, accessibility for guests with limited mobility can be challenging at our historic sites due to historic and natural features. With advance notice, we will make every effort to respond to access needs.
Our goal is to provide as much information as possible to guests before their visit to any of our sites and museums.
If you have additional questions about accessibility or other needs, please contact Split Rock Lighthouse at 218-226-6372 or splitrock@mnhs.org.
