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National park in South Dakota, United States
Photo: Dave Bunnell, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Wind Cave National Park is a national park near the town of Hot Springs in western South Dakota. The park takes its name from the unique phenomenon of air being either sucked into or blown out of a natural hole in the ground, depending on atmospheric conditions.
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This one hour tour presents some representative features of the Wind Cave. Visitors enter and leave the cave by elevator. 150 stairsteps. $7 fee, half price for under 17 or Golden Age cardholders, free for 5 and under.
This moderately strenuous, 1¼ hour tour, goes through areas of the cave where boxwork is abundant. This tour, including 300 stairsteps (mostly down), begins at the walk-in entrance and exits by elevator. $9 fee, half-price for under 17 or Golden Age cardholders, free for 5 and under.
This moderately strenuous tour, including 450 stairsteps and lasting 1½ hours, goes through the upper and middle levels of the Wind Cave. Boxwork, popcorn and other rock formations will be seen. Visitors enter and exit the cave by elevator. $9 fee, half-price for under 17 or Golden Age cardholders, free for 5 and under.
This 2 hour strenuous tour covers about a mile of rugged trail in a less developed, unlighted part of the cave. Each participant will carry a candle bucket. Due to the rough conditions, shoes (no sandals) with non-slip soles are required. This tour is limited to 10 people and the minimum age is 8. Reservations are strongly recommended. Reservations may only be made in person or by telephone at +1 605 745-4600. $9 fee, half-price for age 8-16 or Golden Age cardholders.
This 4 hour tour introduces to basic, safe caving techniques. 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. A signed consent form is required for those 17 and under. Reservations are required. Reservations may only be made in person or by telephone at +1 605 745-4600. $23 fee, half-price for Golden Age cardholders.
61 sites, 2 group sites. All sites are first-come, first-served. This 61-site campground is open all year. Two sites are handicap-accessible. Flush toilets and drinking water are available late spring through early fall. Fees are half-price when water is not available. Ranger programs are offered nightly in the amphitheater during the summer. Two group campsites are reservable.
By car
Wind Cave National Park is 6 miles north of Hot Springs. The Visitor Center is 11 miles north of Hot Springs on U.S. Route 385.
There aren't many roads in the park - two paved roads meet near the park headquarters but neither provide truly scenic drives (they just follow natural valleys between some of the park's hills).
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