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Wind Cave National Park, above ground
Although Wind Cave National Park is best known as one of the largest caves in the world, there is plenty of scenic beauty above ground as well, as this photograph shows. The 28,295-acre park includes a mix of prairie grasses and pine stands within its gently rolling hills and is well populated with buffalo and other wildlife. 

Wind Cave

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Distance 27 miles
Time Needed: Several hours or all day.  See our Southern Hills Itinerary
Best Time To Go: Anytime but check with National Park Service for the current cave tour schedule. In summer, tours depart every 20 minutes or so but there's usually a wait before you can join one. In the off season, the visitor center is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with tours scheduled at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Directions: Follow US 16A and Hwy. 244 to US 385. Then take 385 south about 18 miles to park entrance
Cost: There are no fees to drive through or hike in the park. There are however fees for camping and various tours, see text below.
Highlights: Cave Tours, Wildlife, Scenery
Description:
Mt. Rushmore is Open All Year.Open All Year

Recommended. Kids like the big rooms.

Last Update:
10 Feb 2004
      According to the National Park Service, Wind Cave is the 10th largest cave in the world. The cave is open for the basic tours all year, however the historic and spelunking tours are available only in summer.
      The cave has some spectacularly large rooms and is a favorite with children. The main features of the cave are the winds gushing in or out depending on the barometeric pressure and the rare boxwork formations. Only two caves in the world are known to have them. 
       During the summer season a number of different cave tours are available. These include: 
  • Garden of Eden Cave Tour -- This is the most common tour. It is a one-hour tour that enters and leaves the cave by elevator and hits the highlights. It is considered slightly sttrenuous with 150 stairs. The cost is$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/Golden Access Passports.
  • Natural Entrance Cave Tour -- 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). Cost: $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/Golden Access Passports.
  •  Fairgrounds Cave Tour -- 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.  Cost: $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/Golden Access Passports.
  •  Historic Candlelight Cave Tour --  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. Cost: $9.00 for adults 17 and older, $4.50 for children 8-16, $4.50 for holders of the Golden Age/Golden Access Passports.  Reservations are strongly recommended. Reservations may only be made by telephone, up to 30 days in advance of the tour.
  • Wild Cave Spelunking Tour -- Much of this 4-hour tour involves crawling, so it may not be for everyone. Visitors are introduced to basic, safe caving. Clothing requirements include long pants, long-sleeved shirts, lace-up boots or shoes with non-slip soles and gloves. The park provides hard hats, lights and kneepads. Thes tour is limited to 10 people and the minimum age is 16. The cost is $23.  Reservations are required.  Reservations may only be made by telephone, up to 30 days in advance of the tour.
  •  Tours for Visitors with Special Needs- This tour includes only limited areas of the cave that are accessible to wheelchairs.The cost is:$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/Golden Access Passports.
      The park itself, just to the south of Custer State Park, is home to a good sized buffalo herd, several prairie dog villages  and much wildlife. The area above ground is scenic and a favorite with hikers.
      An exceptional web site about Wind Cave can be found at http://www.wind.cave.national-park.com also the Great Outdoor Recreation site has extensive information about hiking and other outdoor activities in the park.  
      Info: 605-745-4600.  Wind Cave National Park, RR1, Box 190-wcnp, Hot Springs, SD, 57747-9430.
 
 

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