Wind Cave National Park - Hot Springs, South Dakota

 Print This Post

Wind Cave National Park - Hot Springs, South Dakota

This is one of the world’s longest and most complex caves.

When most people think about the importance of Wind Cave they tend to dwell on boxwork and the cave’s vast length. Over many years of exploration and mapping, Wind Cave has grown to be one of the world’s largest known caves. Currently over 127.10 miles [204.55 km] of passages have been mapped in Wind Cave. This places Wind Cave as the third longest cave in the United States and fourth longest cave in the world. As people explore the cave, they learn more about the geology and formation of the cave, and about how it became the world-class resource that it is today.

American Indians of the area have known about the opening to Wind Cave for centuries. However, the first recorded finding of Wind Cave was in 1881. Jesse and Tom Bingham were attracted to the cave by a whistling noise. As the story goes, wind was blowing out of the cave entrance with such force that it blew off Tom’s hat. A few days later when Jesse returned to show this phenomenon to some friends, he was surprised to find the wind had switched directions and his hat was sucked into the cave. Today, we understand that the direction of the wind is related to the difference in atmospheric pressure between the cave and the surface.

The first person reported to have entered the cave was Charlie Crary in the fall of 1881. He claimed to have left twine to mark his trail, and others entering the cave later found his twine. These early explorers were the first to see a rare cave formation called boxwork.

On January 3, 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt signed the bill creating Wind Cave National Park. It was the eigth national park and the first one created to protect a cave. The parklands at that time were small and there were no bison, elk, or pronghorn. They came later as the park boundaries expanded.

In 1912, the American Bison Society was looking for a place to reestablish a bison herd. Because of the excellent prairie habitat around the park, a national game preserve was established bordering Wind Cave. It was managed by the U.S. Biological Survey. In 1913 and 1914, the animals began to arrive. Fourteen bison came from the New York Zoological Society, 21 elk arrived from Wyoming and 13 pronghorn came from Alberta, Canada.

Directions: Wind Cave National Park is located 6 miles north of Hot Springs, SD. The Visitor Center is 11 miles north of Hot Springs on U.S. Route 385.

For visitors traveling on I-90: At Rapid City, SD, exit onto U.S. Route 79 south. Follow Route 79 south approximately 50 miles to U.S. Route 385. Turn right onto U.S. Route 385 North, which will take you through Hot Springs and into Wind Cave National Park. Follow signs to the visitor center for cave tours and general park information.

Visitors can also reach the park by following Route 16 west out of Rapid City onto U.S. Route 385 south. The Park is about 20 miles south of Custer, SD.

Visitors traveling from Nebraska can follow U.S. Route 385 north to the park.

Visitors may also travel through Custer State Park on State Road 36 and 87. These winding roads are slower than other routes, but provide visitors with scenic views of the Black Hills, Custer State Park and Wind Cave National Park.

Hours: Park open year-round. Visitor center open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Days.

Tour Fees: There are no fees to drive through or hike in the park. There are fees associated with visiting the cave or camping in the park’s campground.

1. Garden of Eden Cave Tour - $7.00 for adults 17 and older, $3.50 for children 6-16, children 5 and under are free, $3.50 for holders of the Golden Age (Senior)/Access Passports.

Representative features of Wind Cave are seen on this tour which enters and leaves the cave by elevator. This one hour tour is our least strenuous with 150 stairs.

2. Natural Entrance Cave Tour - $9.00 for adults 17 and older, $4.50 for children 6-16, children 5 and under are free, $4.50 for holders of the Golden Age (Senior)/Access Passports.

Visitors walk through the middle level of the cave where boxwork is abundant. This tour begins at the walk-in entrance and exits by elevator. This moderately strenuous, 1¼ hour tour has 300 stairs (mostly down).

3. Fairgrounds Cave Tour - $9.00 for adults 17 and older, $4.50 for children 6-16, children 5 and under are free, $4.50 for holders of the Golden Age (Senior)/Access Passports.

This tour includes some of the larger rooms found in the developed area of the cave. Visitors will see examples of many cave formations, including Wind Cave boxwork. The tour enters and exits the cave by elevator. This moderately strenuous tour has 450 stairs and lasts 1½ hours.

4. Historic Candlelight Cave Tour - $9.00 for adults 17 and older, $4.50 for children 8-16, $4.50 for holders of the Golden Age (Senior)/Access Passports.

Experience the cave by candlelight. This tour takes place in a less developed, unlighted part of the cave. Each participant will carry a candle bucket. Shoes with non-slip soles are required. No sandals! This tour is limited to 10 people and the minimum age is 8. This strenuous tour covers one mile of rugged trail and lasts 2 hours. Reservations are strongly recommended. Reservations may only be made by telephone, up to 30 days in advance of the tour - (605) 745-4600.

5. Wild Cave Tour - $23.00 for adults, half price for holders of the Golden Age (Senior)/Access Passports.

Explore the cave away from the developed trails. On this 4-hour tour visitors will be introduced to basic, safe caving. Wear old clothes and gloves, as much of the trip will be crawling. Long pants, long sleeved shirts and sturdy, lace up boots or shoes with non-slip soles are required. The park provides hard hats, lights and kneepads. Please do not bring jewelry, watches and other valuables on the tour. This tour is limited to 10 people and the minimum age is 16. We require a signed consent form for those 17 and under. Reservations are required. Reservations may only be made by telephone, up to 30 days in advance of the tour - (605) 745-4600.

6. Tours for Visitors with Special Needs - $5.00 for adults 17 and older, $2.50 for children 6-16, children 5 and under are free, $2.50 for holders of the Golden Age (Senior)/Access Passports.

Limited areas of the cave are accessible to wheelchairs. Please call ahead (605-745-4600) to make special arrangements or ask at the information desk for a special tour.

7. Elk Mountain Campground. The campground is opened year-round. The fee during the warmer months when the water is turned on is $12.00 per site per night. When the water is turned off the fee is reduced to half-price. Holders of a Golden Age (Senior)/Access Passports received a half-price discount.