Wind Cave Bison Patch
$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.
An embroidered bison patch for Wind Cave National Park, made by L.W. Bristol Classics. The design puts one of the park’s free-roaming bison front and center, with an iron-on backing that attaches to jackets, packs, hats, and canvas bags.
- 2 5/8″ x 3 1/4″, fully embroidered bison design specific to Wind Cave
- Iron-on backing for quick attachment; can also be hand-sewn for a permanent hold
- Approximately 0.2 oz, lightweight for travel or mailing as a gift
- 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 Patch
$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.
An embroidered bison patch for Wind Cave National Park, made by L.W. Bristol Classics. The design puts one of the park’s free-roaming bison front and center, with an iron-on backing that attaches to jackets, packs, hats, and canvas bags.
- 2 5/8″ x 3 1/4″, fully embroidered bison design specific to Wind Cave
- Iron-on backing for quick attachment; can also be hand-sewn for a permanent hold
- Approximately 0.2 oz, lightweight for travel or mailing as a gift
- 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 the Wind Cave Bison Patch?
This embroidered patch puts Wind Cave’s bison herd at the center of the design, which is fitting. The park’s above-ground ecosystem is one of its most compelling features: a mixed-grass prairie and ponderosa pine forest shared by bison, elk, pronghorn, and prairie dog colonies. The bison herd descended from 14 animals transferred from the Bronx Zoo in 1913, making it one of the earliest bison restoration herds in North America.
The patch is made by L.W. Bristol Classics, a manufacturer in Bristol, Tennessee that has produced custom embroidered souvenirs for national and state parks for decades. Their products show up across park stores throughout the country. This one is sold through BHPFA, the official nonprofit partner of Wind Cave National Park.
About Wind Cave National Park
Wind Cave National Park sits in the southern Black Hills of South Dakota, about 11 miles north of Hot Springs. Established January 9, 1903, signed by Theodore Roosevelt, it was the seventh national park in the United States and the first created specifically to protect a cave.
The cave itself has about 161 miles of surveyed passages, fourth-longest in the United States and seventh in the world. The defining geological feature is boxwork: honeycomb-patterned calcite fins that formed when calcite filled cracks in the limestone and the surrounding rock eroded away. Wind Cave holds an estimated 95% of the world’s known boxwork.
But the prairie above gets less attention than it deserves. The park manages one of the few places in the Great Plains where the pre-settlement grassland ecosystem still functions with its large grazers in place. The bison herd is the most visible part of that, and most visitors spot bison from the road before they ever set foot in the visitor center.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 2 5/8″ x 3 1/4″
- Weight: approximately 0.2 oz
- Construction: fully embroidered
- Backing: iron-on adhesive (can also be hand-sewn)
- Manufacturer: L.W. Bristol Classics, Bristol, TN
Who is this for?
If you drove through Wind Cave and watched bison cross the road, this patch marks that. Patch collectors who work through the national parks treat these as the physical record of where they have been, and the bison is the animal most associated with Wind Cave’s above-ground landscape.
It also works as a standalone piece on a hiking pack, denim jacket, or canvas tote. At under 3 1/2 inches and roughly 0.2 oz, it sits flat without pulling the fabric. It ships easily as a small gift or add-on to a larger order.
How to attach the patch
The patch has an iron-on adhesive backing. Place it face-up on the fabric, cover with a thin pressing cloth, and press with a hot iron (no steam) for 20 to 30 seconds. For gear that sees regular use or washing, a few hand stitches around the edge will hold it permanently. Avoid hot-cycle machine washing and do not bleach.
Frequently asked questions
What does the patch design show?
The patch features an American bison, the animal most identified with Wind Cave National Park’s prairie ecosystem. The bison herd at Wind Cave descended from 14 animals brought from the Bronx Zoo in 1913, one of the earliest restoration herds in the country.
Can I iron this onto any fabric?
The iron-on backing bonds to most woven fabrics: denim, cotton, canvas, and nylon. It won’t adhere properly to synthetic athletic fabrics or leather. For stretchy materials, sewing is more reliable than ironing.
Does the patch stay on after washing?
Iron-on adhesive holds well on woven fabrics but can lift at the edges after repeated machine washing. For long-term durability, sew around the perimeter after ironing. Machine wash on a gentle cycle in cold water and air dry.
How big is 2 5/8″ x 3 1/4″?
Roughly the size of a playing card, or slightly smaller than a standard patch on a scout sash. It fits comfortably on a jacket front panel, backpack strap, or the side of a canvas bag.
What is the difference between this patch and the Wind Cave Classic Patch?
The Wind Cave Classic Patch is a 3-inch round patch depicting both the surface prairie and the cave system below. The Bison Patch focuses on the bison design specifically and is a different shape and size. Both are made by L.W. Bristol Classics for BHPFA.
What other patches does BHPFA carry?
BHPFA stocks patches for Jewel Cave National Monument, Scotts Bluff National Monument, the Black Hills National Forest, and other regional public lands sites. See the full patch collection.
Does buying this support Wind Cave National Park?
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.
Can I get my Passport stamped at Wind Cave?
Yes. Wind Cave National Park is an NPS site with a Passport cancellation stamp available at the visitor center. BHPFA also carries the Passport to Your National Parks Classic Edition if you are just getting started.
More Wind Cave souvenirs
- Wind Cave Classic Patch (3″ round, surface and cave design)
- Wind Cave Classic Pin
- All Wind Cave products
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 | 2 5/8" x 3 1/4" |
| Weight | 0.2 oz |
| Material | Embroidered fabric with iron-on adhesive backing |
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.
