Since 1946
Supporting
Wonder &
Exploration
We connect people with the public lands of the Black Hills and western Nebraska through park stores, educational programs, and support for our agency partners.
Start here
What brings you out today?
Whatever brings you here, it ends up in the same place: education, conservation, and visitor services at seven public lands.
Cave country to fossil beds
- Pick your groundTwo world-class caves, an Oregon Trail landmark, Miocene fossil beds, and more than a million acres of forest and grassland.
- Time the toursRanger-led cave tours at Wind Cave and Jewel Cave sell out in season. Book early or aim for the shoulder months.
- Bring the PassportWind Cave, Jewel Cave, Scotts Bluff, and Agate Fossil Beds all stamp the Passport to Your National Parks.
Learn it outside
- Nature Connections WorkshopsIllustrated talks and hands-on programs in nature observation, animal tracks, and wildlife behavior.
- Homeschool Nature AdventuresMonthly hands-on outdoor learning days for homeschool families, all skill levels welcome.
- Seasonal programsRanger walks, family activities, and night-sky outings. Check each listing for dates, fees, and participation details.
Shop where it counts
- The real park store shelvesWe run the stores at our partner parks and forests. The online shop ships those same shelves from Hot Springs, South Dakota.
- Members save 15%A park-store benefit for eligible purchases, online and in person.
- Proceeds go back to the parksProceeds support education, conservation, and visitor services at BHPFA partner parks and forests.
Keep the work going
- Join for $30 a year15% off in every park store, early word on workshops, and dues that fund field trips, Junior Ranger programs, and trail work.
- VolunteerWork days and event help across the sites, like the Camp Bob Marshall work day in the Black Hills National Forest.
- Give onceA one-time gift goes straight to education, conservation, and visitor services at the seven sites.
Where we work
The Seven
Seven public lands, one nonprofit running the park stores and funding education at every one.
-
no. 1
National ParkWind Cave
Boxwork found almost nowhere else on Earth, under a prairie full of bison.
Half day underground -
no. 2
National MonumentJewel Cave
More than 200 miles mapped and still going. Take the Scenic Tour.
Book the tour early -
no. 3
National ForestBlack Hills
A million-plus acres of ponderosa, granite, and trail. The connective tissue of every trip.
Bring a map -
no. 4
National MonumentScotts Bluff
The landmark that guided the Oregon Trail, 800 feet above the North Platte.
Sunset from the top -
no. 5
National MonumentAgate Fossil Beds
A Miocene fossil story and Lakota history, hiding in plain sight on the panhandle.
Worth the detour -
no. 6
National Forests & Grasslands
Nebraska
Hand-planted forest and open grassland, and hardly another car in sight.
Solitude, guaranteed -
no. 7
Visitor Center
National Grasslands
The prairie, explained. Twenty minutes here upgrades the whole drive.
Stop in Wall
Programs and events
On the calendar
Night skies, workshops, work days, and story times. Most are free. The good ones fill up.
Why it matters
Buy the map, fund the field trip
Proceeds support education, conservation, and visitor services at BHPFA partner parks and forests.
From our park stores
Take the parks home
The real visitor center shelves, online. Proceeds support education, conservation, and visitor services at BHPFA partner parks and forests.
The Passport
The Ferret
Area Tokens
SmokeyJoin the association
Members make it possible
Membership supports educational work at the parks and forests you love. Join annually for $30 or choose Grass Roots monthly giving from $5.
- A 15% park-store discount on eligible purchases
- Early word on workshops and events before they fill
- Your dues fund field trips, Junior Ranger programs, and trail work