National Park Service (NPS) Route 5, a gravel road in Wind Cave National Park’s backcountry, will be closed for several months this winter for the laying and grading of new gravel base material.
NPS Route 5 is a scenic route along the park’s eastern edge that provides visitors an opportunity to view wildlife and access trailheads. The project will provide approximately 8,000 cubic yards of road base material that will be graded and compacted in place, adding 4 inches of new base. Road base gravel is used to smooth out “washboards”, holes, and erosion that occurs due to use and weather.
The project will also replace three culverts and repair broken timbers on a small wooden bridge over Highland Creek.
Currently, work is expected to begin at the junction of NPS Routes 5 and 6. The entire project is expected to be completed by the end of February.