Wind Cave Bison Hiking Medallion
$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.
Shaped enameled metal hiking medallion featuring a bison design for Wind Cave National Park, made by L.W. Bristol Classics. Fits the standard hiking stick medallion size and mounts with included nails.
- 1 3/8″ x 1 3/4″ shaped medallion, enameled metal with brushed finish reverse
- Three metal nails included for attaching to a hiking stick, walking staff, or paddle
- Weight: 0.3 oz
- Shapeable to fit a round staff; can also be glued flat to a display board or bike frame
- Proceeds support Wind Cave National Park and other BHPFA partner parks and forests.
In stock
60-day returns · Ships from South Dakota via USPS
Wind Cave Bison Hiking Medallion
$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.
Shaped enameled metal hiking medallion featuring a bison design for Wind Cave National Park, made by L.W. Bristol Classics. Fits the standard hiking stick medallion size and mounts with included nails.
- 1 3/8″ x 1 3/4″ shaped medallion, enameled metal with brushed finish reverse
- Three metal nails included for attaching to a hiking stick, walking staff, or paddle
- Weight: 0.3 oz
- Shapeable to fit a round staff; can also be glued flat to a display board or bike frame
- Proceeds support Wind Cave National Park and other 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?
A shaped enameled metal medallion for Wind Cave National Park, made by L.W. Bristol Classics of Bristol, TN. The design centers on a bison, the most visible wildlife in the park’s mixed-grass prairie. “Wind Cave National Park” circles the border with “Hot Springs, SD” along the bottom. Gold-tone raised details and colored enamel give the piece some depth. The reverse has a brushed metal finish.
At 1 3/8″ x 1 3/4″, it fits the standard hiking stick medallion format used across the LW Bristol Classics national park line. It goes right next to medallions from other parks you’ve visited.
What’s in the box
- One enameled metal hiking medallion, 1 3/8″ x 1 3/4″
- Three metal nails for attaching to a wooden hiking stick, staff, or paddle
- Mounted on a display card
How to attach it
Pre-drill three small holes in your walking stick, then press the nails through the medallion and into the holes. The medallion bends slightly to follow the curve of a round staff. For flat surfaces like a display board, RV panel, or bike frame, flatten it out and use a strong adhesive instead of the nails.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 1 3/8″ x 1 3/4″
- Weight: 0.3 oz
- Construction: Enameled metal with raised bison design
- Reverse: Brushed metal finish
- Attachment: Three metal nails included
- Manufacturer: L.W. Bristol Classics (Bristol, TN)
About Wind Cave National Park
Wind Cave is in the southern Black Hills of South Dakota, about 11 miles north of Hot Springs. Established January 9, 1903, it was the seventh national park in the United States and the first created specifically to protect a cave.
Tom and Jesse Bingham heard wind rushing from a small hole in 1881. Surveyors have mapped about 161 miles of passages since, making it the seventh-longest cave in the world and fourth-longest in the US. The cave’s defining feature is boxwork, honeycomb-patterned calcite fins that line the walls and ceilings. Wind Cave holds an estimated 95% of the world’s known boxwork.
Above ground, the park protects mixed-grass prairie and ponderosa pine forest. A free-roaming bison herd of around 350 to 400 head descends from 14 animals transferred from the Bronx Zoo in 1913, one of the earliest bison restoration efforts in North America. That herd is the subject of this medallion.
Who is this for?
Hikers and walking stick collectors who’ve spent time at Wind Cave. The bison-specific design makes it a good choice if the above-ground prairie experience is what you want to commemorate rather than the cave itself. (The Wind Cave Classic Hiking Medallion, SKU 1013, covers both halves of the park in a single round design.)
Bison fans. Wind Cave runs one of the oldest bison restoration programs in North America. If that history matters to you, this is the more focused souvenir.
Gift buyers. And 0.3 oz, it’s easy to add to any order. Pairs well with the Wind Cave Bison Pin (SKU 2253) if you want a matching set in different formats.
About the hiking medallion tradition
The hobby traces back to alpine Europe, where hikers hammered metal markers onto their walking staffs at mountain huts and summits. The US version built around national parks and landmarks keeps the same idea: collect one wherever you go, nail it to your stick, and end up with a physical record of where you’ve been.
L.W. Bristol Classics has been producing these for parks, trails, and historic sites across the country since the 1980s. BHPFA carries several in the line for partner parks. Browse the Collectibles section to see what’s in stock for Jewel Cave, Agate Fossil Beds, Scotts Bluff, and other sites.
Frequently asked questions
What does the bison design look like?
The medallion centers on a bison with “Wind Cave National Park” running around the border and “Hot Springs, SD” at the bottom. Gold-tone raised details and colored enamel fill in the scene. The reverse is plain brushed metal with three small mounting holes.
How big is this medallion?
1 3/8 inches wide by 1 3/4 inches tall. The shaped format follows the contour of the design rather than being cut into a standard circle.
Does it come with mounting hardware?
Yes. Three metal nails are included. Pre-drill small holes in your wooden hiking stick before pressing the nails in. For flat surfaces, use your own adhesive in place of the nails.
Can I put it somewhere other than a hiking stick?
Yes. LW Bristol Classics medallions attach to paddles, canes, and flat surfaces like display boards, RV panels, and bike frames. You can also leave it on the display card as a tabletop piece.
How is this different from the Wind Cave Classic Hiking Medallion?
The Classic (SKU 1013) is 1 3/4″ round and shows both the underground cave passage and the prairie above ground on a single circular face. This Bison version focuses only on the bison and is shaped to follow the design rather than trimmed to a circle. Both are $4.99 and made by LW Bristol Classics.
Is there a matching pin?
The Wind Cave Bison Pin (SKU 2253) uses the bison design in a pin format. Browse the pins section to see the full Wind Cave pin collection.
Does buying this support national parks?
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.
Where can I get my Passport to Your National Parks stamped near here?
BHPFA partner sites with Passport stamps: Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Scotts Bluff National Monument, and Agate Fossil Beds National Monument.
More BHPFA hiking medallions
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 3/8" x 1 3/4" |
| Weight | 0.3 oz |
| Material | Enameled Metal |
Note on International Orders
Some countries charge import duties, VAT, or handling fees on delivery. These are set by your local government and are not included in our checkout total. Customers are responsible for paying any such charges before receiving their package.
