Accessibility

Page contents:

Accessible parking

  • Two disability parking spots available, approximately 400 ft. from the visitor center.

General

  • Service dogs welcome. For safety reasons, service dogs are not allowed in close proximity to horses in the barn.
  • First aid kits available
  • Staff trained in first aid

For visitors with mobility disabilities

  • Two disability parking spots are available, approximately 400 feet from the visitor center.
  • The visitor center is fully accessible.
  • All public restrooms in the visitor center have an accessible stall.
  • There are mobile entry ramps for each log building in the logging camp that can be employed as needed.
  • The fire tower and the river wanigan are both inaccessible for wheelchairs.
  • Pathways: The pathways from the parking lot to the visitor center and from the visitor center to the logging camp are asphalt. The entry pathway from the parking lot is approximately 400 feet and flat, whereas the path to the logging camp is approximately 1/4 mile downhill (uphill on the return). The pathways in the logging camp are Class IV (gravel and sand).
  • Nature trails: There are five miles of nature trails on the site and most are Class IV (gravel and sand). One of the trails leading to the Grand Itasca Hospital and Clinic is asphalt (approximately 1.25 miles). There are also wooden bridges and a bog boardwalk within the trail system that are uneven due to frost heaves.
  • There are benches along all of the trails on the site.

For visitors who are blind or have low vision

  • The Forest History Center has many tactile experiences. From petting draft horses, handling metal, leather, and wooden objects, examining fur pelts and animal skulls, to handling frogs, turtles, and snakes, there are many opportunities to employ the sense of touch.

For visitors who are deaf or hard of hearing

  • All multimedia throughout the exhibits is closed captioned.
  • We will make every effort to find ASL interpretation for programs or tours with three weeks of notice. Contact the Forest History Center at 218-327-4482 or foresthistory@mnhs.org to request.

For visitors with sensory or communication disabilities

  • The multimedia fire presentation in the visitor center has loud features that are surprising. Some of the sounds in the logging camp interpretive programs can be loud, for example the blacksmith shop or the program with draft horses in the center of the logging camp.

MNHS statement on accessibility

The Forest History Center 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 the Forest History Center at 218-327-4482 or by email at foresthistory@mnhs.org.