Accessibility

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Accessible parking

  • Limited disability parking spots are available in the main parking lot. The lot is approximately 0.2 miles to the Visitor Center and 0.3 miles to the historic fort front gate.
  • Parking and directions

General

  • Service animals are permitted. Pets and therapy animals are not allowed on-site.
  • A quiet room and parent room are available in the visitor center. Site staff can direct you to these spaces.
  • Family restrooms available at both the visitor center and historic fort.
  • Restrooms have accessible stalls.
  • First aid kits and AEDs are located in several places throughout the site.

For visitors with mobility disabilities

  • Most buildings inside the historic fort are not wheelchair accessible due to width of doorways, raised thresholds, and lack of raised paths to doorways.
  • Wheelchairs are available at no charge on a first-come, first-served basis inside the historic fort and Plank Visitor Center. Please inquire at Admissions at the front gate or in the visitor center.
  • A golf cart may be available to transport people with mobility issues from the Plank Visitor Center to the historic fort. Golf carts cannot accommodate wheelchairs and may not be able to accommodate walkers. Children must be accompanied by an adult. (Subject to availability)
  • Walking paths are covered by a thin layer of gravel.
  • Restrooms have accessible stalls.

For visitors who are deaf or hard of hearing

  • ASL interpreters are available for school groups, special programs, and events upon request with two weeks minimum notice.  For general visitor ASL interpreter requests please contact the Box Office at boxoffice@mnhs.org or 651-259-3015.  For school group ASL interpreter requests, contact the Field Trip office at fieldtrips@mnhs.org or 1-888-387-5008.
  • Introductory video is captioned in English
  • All videos within the exhibit are captioned in English

For visitors with sensory or communication disabilities

  • Sensory warning: Depending on programming there may be musket and cannon firing. Historic Fort Snelling staff can communicate when to expect these sounds.
  • Buildings in the fort will be undergoing construction in the spring and summer of 2025.  Construction equipment may create additional loud sounds on-site.
  • Quiet spaces are available throughout the site if needed, including a designated quiet room and parent room at the Plank Visitor Center.  Historic Fort Snelling staff can direct visitors to these spaces.

MNHS statement on accessibility

Historic Fort Snelling 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 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 Historic Fort Snelling at 612-726-1171 or ftsnelling@mnhs.org.