National Grasslands Visitor Center Hiking Medallion by L.W. Bristol Classics
$7.00
In stock
Shipping calculated in cart/checkout:Â Shipping rates for first items start at $7, calculated based on weight of total order.
Oval enameled metal hiking medallion for the National Grasslands Visitor Center in Wall, South Dakota, featuring a black-footed ferret design. Made by L.W. Bristol Classics. Attaches to hiking sticks, walking staffs, and flat surfaces with the three included nails.
- 1 3/4″ x 1 5/8″ oval enameled metal with brushed finish reverse
- Black-footed ferret design with “National Grasslands Visitor Center” text
- Three nails included for attaching to wooden hiking sticks or staffs
- Gently shapeable to curve onto a round staff; can also be glued flat to RV panels, bike frames, or scrapbooks
- Weighs 0.3 oz
- Proceeds support education, conservation, and visitor services at BHPFA partner parks and forests
In stock
60-day returns · Ships from South Dakota via USPS
National Grasslands Visitor Center Hiking Medallion by L.W. Bristol Classics
$7.00
In stock
Shipping calculated in cart/checkout:Â Shipping rates for first items start at $7, calculated based on weight of total order.
Oval enameled metal hiking medallion for the National Grasslands Visitor Center in Wall, South Dakota, featuring a black-footed ferret design. Made by L.W. Bristol Classics. Attaches to hiking sticks, walking staffs, and flat surfaces with the three included nails.
- 1 3/4″ x 1 5/8″ oval enameled metal with brushed finish reverse
- Black-footed ferret design with “National Grasslands Visitor Center” text
- Three nails included for attaching to wooden hiking sticks or staffs
- Gently shapeable to curve onto a round staff; can also be glued flat to RV panels, bike frames, or scrapbooks
- Weighs 0.3 oz
- Proceeds support education, conservation, and visitor services at BHPFA partner parks and forests
In stock
60-day returns · Ships from South Dakota via USPS
Real USPS rates, no markup. The money we save funds trail crews and internships.
Join BHPFA for $30 a year -> get your code by email in seconds. -> Use it at checkout today. Show your card at hundreds of nonprofit park stores nationwide for 10% off.
Every item is selected or approved by rangers and staff. Your purchase keeps them on the front lines.
Real USPS rates, no markup. The money we save funds trail crews and internships.
Join BHPFA for $30 a year -> get your code by email in seconds. -> Use it at checkout today. Show your card at hundreds of nonprofit park stores nationwide for 10% off.
Every item is selected or approved by rangers and staff. Your purchase keeps them on the front lines.
Description
What is this hiking medallion?
An oval enameled metal hiking medallion for the National Grasslands Visitor Center in Wall, South Dakota. The 1 3/4″ x 1 5/8″ face shows a black-footed ferret design with the visitor center name. Gold-tone raised details, colored enamel fill, and a brushed metal reverse. Three small nails included for attaching to a wooden hiking stick or walking staff. Made in the USA by L.W. Bristol Classics, a family-owned manufacturer in Bristol, Tennessee that has produced souvenir medallions, pins, and patches for parks and public lands for decades.
Hiking stick medallions work on a simple principle: pick one up at each place you visit, nail it to your walking staff, and end up with a stick that tracks where you have been. They are one of the most affordable park souvenirs around, and they hold up to trail use better than stickers.
About the National Grasslands Visitor Center
The National Grasslands Visitor Center is in Wall, South Dakota, on the edge of the Buffalo Gap National Grassland. It is run by the U.S. Forest Service and operated in partnership with BHPFA. The center covers the ecology and history of all 20 national grasslands in the United States, including the mixed-grass prairies of the Great Plains, grazing management, and wildlife conservation.
The story the visitor center tells most closely is the black-footed ferret recovery. Ferrets were declared extinct in the wild in 1979. A small population was rediscovered in Meeteetse, Wyoming in 1981, which led to a captive breeding and reintroduction program. Buffalo Gap’s Conata Basin became one of the most productive reintroduction sites in the country starting in 1994. Night spotlight tours run from late July through September for visitors who want to watch the nocturnal ferrets in their prairie dog towns.
Buffalo Gap National Grassland covers approximately 591,000 acres across four South Dakota counties. It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service as part of the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands, one of BHPFA’s partner land units.
What’s in the box
- One enameled metal hiking medallion, 1 3/4″ x 1 5/8″
- Three metal nails for attaching to a wooden hiking stick or staff
- Mounted on a display card
How to attach it
Pre-drill three small holes in your walking stick first, then press the nails through the medallion and into the holes. The medallion can be gently bent to conform to the round shape of a staff. If you are attaching to a flat surface like an RV panel, bike frame, or scrapbook, flatten it out and use strong adhesive instead.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 1 3/4″ x 1 5/8″ (oval)
- Weight: 0.3 oz
- Construction: Enameled metal with gold-tone raised details
- Reverse: Brushed metal finish
- Attachment: Three metal nails included
- Manufacturer: L.W. Bristol Classics (Bristol, TN)
- Made in: USA
Who is this for?
If you have been to the National Grasslands Visitor Center or to the Conata Basin to look for ferrets, this is the medallion to nail on. The black-footed ferret design is specific to this place in a way that generic souvenir items are not.
For hikers building a BHPFA medallion collection, this rounds out the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands section alongside the Buffalo Gap Grasslands Hiking Medallion and the Bessy Ranger District Hiking Medallion. Wall, SD is a natural stop for anyone driving I-90 across South Dakota, and the visitor center is worth the time.
For gift buyers: It pairs easily with the companion NGVC pin or patch for a small grasslands set. Lightweight enough to add to any order without changing shipping cost.
Frequently asked questions
What does the medallion design show?
A black-footed ferret with “National Grasslands Visitor Center” lettering. Gold-tone raised borders and details with colored enamel fill. The design references the most-visited exhibit at the Wall visitor center, which covers the ferret recovery program in Buffalo Gap’s Conata Basin.
How big is the medallion?
1 3/4″ wide by 1 5/8″ tall, oval shaped. Slightly larger than a large postage stamp. About the same size as other L.W. Bristol Classics hiking medallions in the BHPFA line.
Does it come with everything I need to attach it?
Yes. Three metal nails are included. You will want a small drill bit to pre-drill the holes in wood before pressing the nails in. For flat surfaces, you will need your own adhesive.
Can I put it on something other than a hiking stick?
Yes. L.W. Bristol Classics designs their medallions to work on RV panels, bike frames, and scrapbooks as well. Glue it flat to any surface, or leave it on the display card it comes on.
Is there a matching pin or patch?
Yes. BHPFA carries the National Grasslands Visitor Center Pin and the National Grasslands Visitor Center Patch in the same design family. All are $4.99.
Where is the National Grasslands Visitor Center?
In Wall, South Dakota, on US-16A near I-90 Exit 110. Wall is about 50 miles east of Rapid City. The visitor center is run by the U.S. Forest Service. There is no entrance fee.
Is Buffalo Gap National Grassland a national park?
No. Buffalo Gap is managed by the U.S. Forest Service as part of the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands. It is not an NPS unit. BHPFA is the official cooperating association for the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands.
Can I get a Passport to Your National Parks stamp at the National Grasslands Visitor Center?
No. The Passport stamp program is NPS only. USFS sites, including Buffalo Gap and the National Grasslands Visitor Center, do not have Passport cancellation stamps. If you have a Passport book, the nearest BHPFA partner sites with stamps are Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Scotts Bluff National Monument, and Agate Fossil Beds National Monument.
Does buying this support the grasslands?
Yes. BHPFA is the official nonprofit partner of Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Scotts Bluff National Monument, and Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, as well as the Black Hills National Forest and Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands. Proceeds from every purchase support education programs, conservation projects, and visitor services at these sites.
What other hiking medallions does BHPFA carry?
BHPFA has hiking medallions for Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, Black Elk Peak, Buffalo Gap National Grassland, Bessy Ranger District, and more. Browse the full collectibles section to see what’s in stock.
More National Grasslands items from BHPFA
Every Purchase Makes a Difference
When you shop with Black Hills Parks & Forests Association, you are directly funding:
- Education programs — nature workshops, Junior Ranger activities, and homeschool adventures for kids across the Black Hills
- Trail maintenance — keeping hiking trails safe and accessible at Wind Cave, Jewel Cave, and the Black Hills National Forest
- Visitor services — park store operations, interpretive programs, and the staff who help millions of visitors each year
- Conservation — supporting the long-term health of public lands in the Black Hills and Nebraska
BHPFA is the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service in the Black Hills region. We have supported these public lands since 1946.
Additional information
| Weight | 1 oz |
|---|---|
| Brand | L.W. Bristol Classics |
| Dimensions | 1 3/4" x 1 5/8" |
| Weight | 0.3 oz |
| Material | Enameled Metal |
| Country of Origin | USA |
Note on International Orders
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