WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK SD - Visitors can get their first look at the new 5,555 acres of land recently acquired by Wind Cave National Park on Saturday, October 15. A dedication ceremony beginning at 10:30 a.m. will be held on the property. Gates into the property will open at 9 a.m. The ceremony will take place outdoors atop a small hill. Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather and wear sturdy footwear.
Access to the ceremony will be from Red Valley Road north of the 7-11 Road. People wishing to attend can access the 7-11 Road (County Road 101) north of Hot Springs from either Highway 385 or Highway 79. Directional signs will be posted to facilitate travel. The route onto the property is normally closed, but it will be open Saturday for the dedication ceremony. (Click here for a map of the area.)
Light refreshments will be served following the ceremony. Visitors will be able to walk to the base of the buffalo jump but will need to plan for a three-quarter-mile round trip walk. Arrangements have been made for visitors with mobility issues.
A planning effort beginning this fall will look at visitor access and use. As part of the planning process, the park hopes to host some open house events on the new land to aid in the planning process. Otherwise, the new land will be closed to visitor use until the planning is complete and visitor facilities operational.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
