Three designated ADA parking spots are located in the upper (close) parking lot.
Accessing the site
The path from the parking lot splits in two directions. While both trails will give access to entire fort site and Bourgeois House Visitor Center, the front gate will give river views and immediate access to the Trade House.
The pathway that connects the parking lot to the fort site is a 20 foot rise in elevation and is partially hard surface cement and partially packed gravel.
Front (South) Gate is 400 feet of hard surface cement then 150 feet of packed gravel.
Back (North) Gate is 220 feet of hard surface cement then 440 feet of packed gravel.
During summer months (May - September) cart rides are available to shuttle visitors to the fort site.
Navigating the Fort and Courtyard
One manual wheelchair is available for use at fort site. Ask at the Front Desk in the Bourgeois House Visitor Center.
The fort grounds and courtyard is packed gravel and grass. Muddy conditions may occur during wet weather.
The Trade House has two steps to access, 7 inches and 11 inches, and a doorway opening of 34.5 inches. When the Trade House is open (summer season), the Living History Interpreter can exit the Trade House to give their interpretive program. The Bourgeois House Visitor Center also has a park video of a Trade House Talk with images and views into the Trade House.
The Clerk's Office has an 35 inch wide entrance door, and a 1.5 inch threshold step.
The Southwest Bastion is accessible by a staircase to the second story.
Visitor seating is available in front of the Clerks Office, at the back/north gate and on the Bourgeois House porch.
Exploring the Bourgeois House Visitor Center
One permanent ramp and one portable ramp allows wheeled (manual or motorized) access to Visitor Center. Staff will deploy the portable ramp upon request or upon notice it is needed.
All visitor amenities are on the first floor, flooring surface is low pile carpet, tile and wood flooring.
Visitor seating is available in the visitor center park store area.
The Visitor Center's main floor, including museum with park videos, park store and restrooms allows access for a manual or motorized wheelchair or mobility device.
Front door of the Visitor Center measures 35 inches wide.
Door entering the museum is 35 inches wide.
Door to the family/accessible bathroom is 32 1/2 inches wide.
Seating in the form of folding chairs is available while watching park videos.
Park Trails
Trail connecting the lower and upper parking is a hard-surfaced (cement) sidewalk path. This path follows the Missouri River with interpretive signage.
Trail to Missouri River, located in upper parking lot, is partially hard-surfaced (cement), transitions to large crushed rock and then transitions to Missouri River sand/dirt with some willow stumps. Trail length fluctuates with the high/low water of the Missouri River.
(Closed) Bodmer Trail is a two mile round trip mown grass trail through pasture land. This trail has manually operating cattle gates. Possible rodent holes/burrows, cattle depressions and refuse may exist on the trail.
