Wind Cave National Park
There's plenty of wind at Wind Cave, but there's also more to see and do than visit the world-class, namesake cave. Above ground, you'll find rolling prairie, interesting rock formations, and beautiful pine forests open to exploration. The park is also home to native wildlife such as bison, elk, pronghorn, mule deer, coyotes, and prairie dogs. more info
Care to Spelunk?
The 70-mile labyrinth of passageways in Wind Cave are undeniably Wind Cave National Park's leading attraction. Packed with crystals, suggestive underground formations, and chambers, the cave is full of geologic wonders such as "Garden of Eden" and the "Dungeon." Five types of guided tours last between 45 minutes and four hours and cover between a quarter of a mile and half a mile by electric light, candlelight, or headlamp as true cave explorers do.
Pick A Hiking Theme
You'll find 30 miles of maintained trails in the park, ranging in length from 1.4 miles to 8.6 miles. Try Wind Cave Canyon Trail for bird-watching, and the East Bison Flats Trail and Lookout Point Trail for views. Highland Creek Trail is the longest and most diverse trail in the park. There are two particularly noteworthy self-guiding nature: the Rankin Ridge Trail and Elk Mountain Trail, that attract all types of hoofers. The Rankin Ridge Trail climbs to the fire tower lookout at the highest point in the park.
Commune With Bison
In the early 1900s, bison, pronghorn, and elk were brought back to the park to live on the preserved prairie habitat. Today these animals flourish to the point where there are yearly roundups after which animals are transplanted to other parks in other parts of the country.
Cruise the Prairie Roads
Three strips of well-maintained road open up the park to wheeling spectators. Wildlife Loop Road, Iron Mountain Road, and Needles Highway dip into the backcountry's pine-spruce forests, open meadows, and rock-tipped mountains and pillars of granite.
Currently OutsideOther pages you might find helpful:
Glacier National Park
Plan a trip to Glacier National Park, Whitefish, and Kalispell Montana.
Wind Cave National Park
Hot Springs, SD is home to Wind Cave National Park, one of the longest and most spectacular caves.
