Park Service coup: 5,500 acres added to South Dakota park

Sacred to the Lakota Sioux, it was the first cave in the world to ever be declared a national park. When first "discovered" by moderns who heard the sound of a rushing wind blasting out from a hole in the ground, history says the blast was strong enough to blow a hat off the head. Over 135 miles of passages mark it the fifth largest known cave on the planet.

But not everything here is underground, up "topside," the largest remaining natural mixed-grass prairie in the United States attracts bison, elk, pronghorn, mule deer, coyotes, and prairie dogs. It is home to one of America's most ecologically-significant bison herds, which dates back to bison relocated to the park from the Bronx Zoo and Yellowstone in the early 20th century.

Wind Cave National Park recently got a boost with the addition of 5,555 acres of former ranchland, including a thousand-year-old buffalo jump and a historic homestead. In an arrangement that yoked the government and a non-profit group, a land deal was swung that truly enhances the scope of Wind Cave. Non-profit group The Conservation Fund, a nonprofit snapped up the property at auction from the Casey family last year and transferred it to the Park Service. It was the culmination of a process started in 2000 when the family approached the Service about selling the land to the park.

In 2005, Congress passed legislation to expand the park pending an appropriation to purchase the land. When the land was put up for auction by the Casey family, The Conservation Fund purchased the property to hold for the NPS until federal funding became available.

What will be done with the "new" land? Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis says, "We look forward to providing educational programs about the buffalo jump and historic ranch to area school children and all our visitors." Jarvis refers to Native Americans who hunted buffalo on the newly acquired land over a thousand years ago, driving them over buffalo jumps, or cliffs.

The Service has plenty of planning to do about the future use of the land and is hopeful to get insight from park visitors on how this should develop. For RVers, the park's Elk Mountain Campground provides a spot to make camp and a point to explore from The campground is open all year although flush toilets and water are only available during part of the year. The campground fee is $12.00 a night per site when water and toilet facilities are available. In late fall through early spring when the water is turned off, the fee is $6.00 a night per site. Visitors holding a Senior or Access Pass, or a Golden Age or Golden Access Pass pay half price a night per site.

Wind Cave National Park is firmly planted on the South Dakota prairie, 52 road miles south of Rapid City. The park is open year around, and you can plan your visit by visiting the park's web site.