When you want to visit the Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota, go during the summer season. Although the park is open 24 hours a day every day of the year, going there during the winter season can become so chilly, believe me. My mom and I went there around mid of May and still it felt a little chilly inside the cave. No wonder everyone is advised to bring a sweatshirt when entering the cave.
Wind Cave is one of the longest caves in the world. You will never regret taking the guided tours and knowing the history behind the rare formations inside the Wind Cave.
Tickets for most cave tours are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. It is better to arrive early as it becomes crowded during summer times.
While waiting for the tour to start, venture inside the building and enjoy the exhibits. There are exhibits on the ground floor and at the basement.
Everyone is directed to this shed, where people gather for the start of the tour.
The park ranger leads everyone to the cave’s tiny opening and explains the wind behavior inside the cave. Don’t worry you won’t be entering through the hole. You descend and return by elevator.
Once you have entered the cave, the descent begins. The steps could become steep at times, but it’s fairly lit. So you have nothing to worry. If you bring someone with a cane, it may not be a good idea.
Expect a lot of ducking if you’re tall.
The wide open plains above contrast the massive cave system underneath it.
What makes the cave unique? It has an amazing amount of a rare cave formation called boxwork.
It’s a long descent — about 400+ steps with the long tour.
There will be a lot of walking in confined spaces, so obviously the place is not for the claustrophobic.
Alvin Frank McDonald, the 16 yr old explorer, has been credited with doing the first explorations and mapping of the cave, according to the story.
Don’t expect to see stalagmites and stalactites. The cave was formed by wind not by water!
It is without a doubt one of the most impressive caves I have ever explored. The tour takes about 1.5hrs. No food or water allowed in the cave. Most importantly, wear good shoes.
The Wind Cave National Park Visitor Center is located 11 miles north of Hot Springs, South Dakota, just west of US Highway 385.
Contact.
Address: 26611 US Hwy 385, Wind Cave National Park, SD 57747-6027
Phone Number: (605) 745-4600
Hours.
The park is open all day, every day. The visitor center is open daily except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Days. Follow these links for visitor center hours and the current cave tour schedule or see the quick overview below. Tour schedules are subject to change. Call 605.745.4600 to confirm tour times.
Entrance Fees.
There are no fees to drive through or hike in the park. For cave tour fees, see below:
– Garden of Eden Cave Tour – $10.00 for adults 17 and older, $5.00 for children 6-16, children 5 and under are free, $5.00 for holders of the Golden Age (Senior)/Access Passports.
– Natural Entrance Cave Tour – $12.00 for adults 17 and older, $6.00 for children 6-16, children 5 and under are free, $6.00 for holders of the Golden Age (Senior)/Access Passports.
– Fairgrounds Cave Tour – $12.00 for adults 17 and older, $6.00 for children 6-16, children 5 and under are free, $6.00 for holders of the Golden Age (Senior)/Access Passports.
– Historic Candlelight Cave Tour – $12.00 for adults 17 and older, $6.00 for children 8-16, $6.00 for holders of the Golden Age (Senior)/Access Passports. Reservations are strongly recommended and may only be made by telephone up to 30 days in advance of the tour. Call (605) 745-4600.
– Wild Cave Tour – $30.00 for adults, half price for holders of the Golden Age (Senior)/Access Passports. Reservations are required and may only be made by telephone up to 30 days in advance of the tour. Call (605) 745-4600.
– 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. Sign-language capable rangers are available for the hearing impaired.
Also: See my other travel adventures here.
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