Wind Cave

Wind Cave National Park

The first cave to be designated a national park, Wind Cave National Park features the world's largest concentration of rare boxwork formations along with 33,970 acres of forest and prairie on the surface that act as a natural sanctuary for wildlife.

Below you’ll find more trip planning tools & frequently asked visitor questions to help you plan your next great adventure to Wind Cave National Park!

Due to high visitation, cave tours often sell out 2-3 hours in advance and may sell out for the entire day by mid-day. Tickets may be purchased in advance via Recreation.gov. Also, effective June 15, 2022, on-site payments for cave tours, campground fees, as well as Interagency Passes at Wind Cave National Park, are by credit and debit card only.

NOTE: Masks are required for everyone at Wind Cave, including inside all park buildings and on cave tours, regardless of vaccination status. See the Wind Cave website for the most current information.

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While You're Here
See Boxwork Formations

An uncommon structure of honeycomb-patterned projecting calcite from cave walls is the finest example of boxwork in the world.

Wind Cave
A Sacred Place

A sacred place for the Lakota, their oral tradition tells the story that this is where humans first emerged from within the earth to live on the surface.

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Experience the wildlife

In and around Wind Cave you will see the buffalo roam and the antelope play in their natural habitat. Many wildlife species can be seen from the window of your car.

 
While You're Here
Wind Cave tour
Hold Onto Your Hats

Descend into the cave on a ranger-guided tour and feel the barometric breath of one of the world's longest caves. For more information on tours, scroll down to the FAQ section.

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A Wildlife Sanctuary

This 33,970-acre attraction is as impressive above ground as it is below. Its unique ecosystem is home to elk, buffalo, antelope, deer, prairie dogs and black-footed ferrets. Choose from over 30 miles of hiking trails and see if you can spot the diverse wildlife.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q:

What is the tour information for Wind Cave National Park?

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What is the closest airport to Wind Cave National Park?

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What is the driving distance to nearby U.S. cities from Wind Cave National Park?

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What is the best time of year to visit Wind Cave National Park?

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 What are the busiest times of week to visit Wind Cave National Park?

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What is the climate, geographic information and history of Wind Cave National Park?

IT TOOK MORE THAN 40 MILLION YEARS OF WATER DRIP, DRIP, DRIPPING TO CREATE WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK. SEE WHAT DISCOVERIES WILL BE WAITING
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Plan Your Visit

A sacred site with allure both above and below the surface.

Wind Cave Map location

26611 US Highway 385
Hot Springs, SD57747
United States

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Badlands National Park

This striking South Dakota landscape boasts a maze of buttes, canyons, pinnacles and spires. Skeletons of three-toed horses and saber-toothed cats are among the many fossilized species found here. Wildlife abounds in the park’s 244,000 acres and can often be seen while hiking, camping and traveling the Badlands Loop Scenic Byway.

badlands national park
Badlands
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Mount Rushmore National Memorial

America's Shrine of Democracy, Mount Rushmore National Memorial features the 60-foot faces of four great American presidents who represent the birth, growth, development and preservation of this country. 

Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore
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Jewel Cave National Monument

The third-longest cave in the world features a variety of tours below the surface and a 1,279-acre park with nature trails above ground.

Jewel Cave Interior
Jewel Cave
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Custer State Park

Few truly wild places remain in this country. Custer State Park is one of them. Nearly 1,300 bison wander the park’s 71,000 acres, which they share with pronghorn antelope, elk, mountain goats and a band of burros.

Needles Highway
Custer State Park
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Historic Deadwood

Walk in the footsteps of historic Old West legends like Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and Seth Bullock. This 1870s gold rush town became a National Historic Landmark in 1961. Today, it teems with Black Hills entertainment and things to do including concerts, casinos, museums, historic sites, spas and parades.

Deadwood
Deadwood reanactors
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Missouri River

History and adventure abound along and on the waters of the Mighty Mo’. Free-flowing sections and four reservoirs — Lake Oahe, Lake Sharpe, Lake Francis Case and Lewis & Clark Lake — are prime for fishing, boating and water recreation.

Missouri River Fishing
Pierre Missouri River
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Wind Cave National Park

The first cave to be designated a national park, Wind Cave National Park features the world's largest concentration of rare boxwork formations along with 33,851 acres of forest and prairie on the surface, creating a sanctuary for wildlife.

Wind Cave National Park
Wind Cave
Great 8
Crazy Horse Memorial

Korczak Ziolkowski began work on Crazy Horse Memorial in 1948. Once complete, this tribute to the Lakota leader will be the largest mountain carving in South Dakota, and the world. The on-site Indian Museum of North America and the Native American Educational & Cultural Center also provide opportunities to learn and explore.

Crazy Horse Memorial
Crazy Horse
Badlands
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Mount Rushmore
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Jewel Cave
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Custer State Park
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Deadwood reanactors
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Pierre Missouri River
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Wind Cave
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Crazy Horse
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Trip Planning Resources
Illustrated image of three bison grazing in Custer State Park. The Needles rock formation is visible in the background.
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