Wind Cave

Overview

Wind Cave National Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota protects one of the longest and most complex caves in the world, with over 160 miles of mapped passages beneath a rolling prairie surface where bison, elk, and pronghorn graze. The cave is named for the strong winds that blow in and out of its natural entrance, caused by barometric pressure changes — a phenomenon noted by the Lakota people and documented by the first European explorers in 1881. Wind Cave is geologically distinctive for its boxwork formations — thin, honeycomb-like calcite fins protruding from cave walls and ceilings that are found in only a handful of caves worldwide. Over 95% of the world's known boxwork is in Wind Cave. Ranger-led tours descend into the cave through different routes, from the easy Garden of Eden Tour to the challenging Candlelight Tour, where visitors navigate by candle lantern through unlit passages. Above ground, the park preserves one of the last remaining mixed-grass prairies in North America, where a herd of approximately 400 bison roams alongside elk, pronghorn, and prairie dogs. The Rankin Ridge Trail climbs to a fire tower with panoramic views of the Black Hills, and the park's open grasslands and ponderosa pine forests offer excellent wildlife viewing with far fewer visitors than nearby Custer State Park.

Things to Do

• Take a ranger-led cave tour to see boxwork formations
• Explore by candlelight on the Candlelight Tour
• Watch bison and elk graze on the open prairie
• Hike the Rankin Ridge Trail to the fire lookout tower
• Visit the prairie dog town along the park road
• Drive through the park at dawn for wildlife viewing
• Combine with Custer State Park and Mount Rushmore

Wildlife

Keep an eye out for these animals during your visit:

Weather & Best Time to Visit

Continental climate with warm summers (80-90°F) and cold winters. The cave maintains a constant 54°F year-round. Spring and fall are pleasant on the surface with fewer visitors.