News Release

Drivers Urged to Use Caution during Road Construction Activities near Wind Cave National Park

The South Dakota National Guard will be upgrading 266 Street leading into the Sanson Ranch area of Wind Cave National Park in the coming weeks.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: June 6, 2018

Contact: Tom Farrell, 605-745-1130

WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK, S.D. – The South Dakota National Guard will be upgrading 266 Street along the park’s southeastern border in the coming weeks as part of the 28th annual Golden Coyote training exercise. Trucks will be hauling gravel from the Streeter Gravel Pit along the 7-11 Road (County 101) north on County Road 5 to the turn off for 266 Street. Drivers are urged to use caution while on these roads due to the increase in traffic.

This one-mile segment of 266 Street is located outside the park and leads into the park’s Sanson Ranch area. Next year the remaining portion of the road inside the park, along with a 20-car parking lot, will be upgraded. Until then, this area of the park is closed except for ranger-led hikes beginning in late June on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

This exercise provides relevant training opportunities in support of overseas contingency operations and homeland defense. Golden Coyote has developed into one of the nation’s top training opportunities for National Guard, reserve and active-duty forces, as well as military personnel from foreign countries.