News

Scotts Bluff National Monument and Bird Conservancy of the Rockies are partnering to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day on May 11, 2024 from 2-4 pm. World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is an annual awareness-raising campaign that recognizes the amazing journeys of migratory birds and inspires worldwide conservation of migratory birds and their habitats.  

 To celebrate this day and our feathered friends that spend the summer months with us here in western Nebraska, we are offering a free birding outing to a lesser-known area of the Monument. Participants will meet at the Visitor Center for a brief orientation and then board the park’s shuttle to travel to our destination. Because space is limited to 11 individuals, registration is required. Register by calling the Scotts Bluff visitor center at 308-436-9700. Binoculars and field guides will be available to borrow. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather. Birders of all abilities are welcome. Please join us! 

It’s time to Spring Up the Bluff! This fun race is brought to you by Bluffs Physical Therapy and NEXT Young Professionals.
The race begins and ends on Summit Road, totaling a distance of 1.6 miles.
This year’s categories are:
• Tiny Trotters (ages 5-12)
• Silver Stride (ages 55+)
• Fast Track Challenge (any solo runner)
• Handoff Hustle (relay team)
• Fast and Fur-ious (run with your dog - must be on a leash)
It costs $20 to register.
Register by April 27th for a guaranteed t-shirt and swag bag.
Day-of registration will begin at 3:30 PM.
All proceeds go to the Scottsbluff National Monument!

Register Here!

This workshop is designed for those with previous knowledge of Leave No Trace who interact with park and public land visitors (e.g., rangers, interpreters, naturalists, guides/outfitters, friends’ groups, volunteers, communications specialists, etc.)

Registration required 

Topics may include: 

• Overview of Leave No Trace principles, practices, and ethics, including both the hows and whys behind the importance of practicing Leave No Trace. 
•  Leave No Trace guidelines to practice, promote, and share whether in the backcountry, front country, your favorite local parks, or in your everyday life. 
•  Tips, tools, and best practices for effectively communicating and teaching Leave No Trace to others (both online and in-person), including interactive activities and techniques such as Authority of the Resource, if applicable. 
•  Programs and resources of the Leave No Trace organization and ways to get more involved. 
•  Area/activity-specific content (e.g., mountain biking, canoeing, deserts, coastal, etc.) can be included upon request. 
• We will include a service project of cleaning up trash on the Mickelson Trail behind the Trailhouse during class

Please come prepared with gear to be outside, a water bottle, a notebook, snacks, and gloves for picking up trash. The first part of the class will be indoors at the Trailhouse, and the second part will be outside. 

Thank you for registering! Your fee helps cover supplies and rental space costs. 

• • Date: 5/23/2024
  • Time: 7:30 pm- 9:30 pm
  • Location: Bismark Lake, Black Hills National Forest, Custer, SD
  • Cost: Family Rate (2 adults, 1-3 children under 18)- $20, Individual- $10, Children Under 18- $4
• Register Here

Come join experienced instructors for a fun-filled learning experience under the full moon. We will be exploring nature with moonlit tracking, storytelling, listening for and interpreting the call of local owls, nature observation, scouting for wildlife, and exploring the night sky. It is suggested to bring a red lense flashlight. This class is designed for the whole family, but children should be accompanied by an adult.

Who can come? 

This is open to anyone! Families are encouraged, ages 5 and up are recommended. This is open to all skills levels -beginners welcome!  Please leave pets at home.

What to expect

Parking and getting to the event: We will share the exact meeting location the week of the event. It will take place near the Bismarck Lake Campground.

Admission: Payment online is recommended. You may drop payment off at our office at the Wind Cave National Park Visitor Center, 26611 US Hwy 385, Hot Springs, SD. We also will accept cash and checks on the day of the event. If you prefer to pay in person please choose invoice when when completing your registration under the payment portion.  

Amenities: There will be vault toilets available.  We plan to be outside for 2 hours. Interested in extending the fun? Book a campsite: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/231837

If you need to request any accommodation(s) for the program, please do so in the health concerns portion of registration. We will do our best to accommodate the needs of all of our participants so everyone can enjoy the program with us. Questions? Please contact Andrea bhpf@blackhillsparks.org

• • Date: 5/24/2024
  • Time: 9 am- 1 pm
  • Location: Bismark Lake, Black Hills National Forest, Custer, SD
  • Cost: Family Rate (2 adults, 1-3 children under 18)- $45, Individual- $20, Children Under 12- $10
• Register Here

Join our expert instructors to learn essential outdoor skills. Through hands-on practice you will learn skills that humans have used for thousands of years to survive. Topics include ancient fire building technqiues (bow drills, ferro rods) nature navigation, shelter construction, and what to carry in your backpack. Anyone who takes part in outdoor recreation such as hiking, mountain biking, and hunting will benefit from having these basic, but important, outdoor essential skills.

Who can come? 

This is open to anyone! Families are encouraged, and ages 5 and up are recommended. This is open to all skill levels -beginners welcome!  Please leave pets at home.

What to expect

Parking and getting to the event: We will share the exact meeting location the week of the event. It will take place near the Bismarck Lake Campground.

Admission: Payment online is recommended. You may drop payment off at our office at the Wind Cave National Park Visitor Center, 26611 US Hwy 385, Hot Springs, SD. We also will accept cash and checks on the day of the event. If you prefer to pay in person please choose invoice when when completing your registration under the payment portion.  

Amenities: There will be vault toilets available.  We plan to be outside for 2 hours. Interested in extending the fun? Book a campsite: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/231837

If you need to request any accommodation(s) for the program, please do so in the health concerns portion of registration. We will do our best to accommodate the needs of all of our participants so everyone can enjoy the program with us. Questions? Please contact Andrea at bhpf@blackhillsparks.org