Can you go in Wind Cave without a tour?

There are no self-guided tours into Wind Cave. However, the park maintains over 30 miles of hiking trails and three self-guided nature trails where teachers and students are welcome to explore the prairies and forests of the park. Teachers are welcome to take their students on any of these trails.



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Highways and Paved Roads Most visits to Wind Cave National Park take you on US Highway 385 or South Dakota Highway 87, the two main paved roads in the park. Both offer scenic views as well as many pullouts with wayside exhibits and parking for enjoying the scenery or watching wildlife.

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There are no entrance fees to enjoy the trails, scenic drives, and visitor center at Wind Cave National Park.

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Whether it's your first time to the cave or your tenth, there are several things to keep in mind while planning your trip. To go into the cave, you must purchase a ticket. All access is by a ranger guided tour and all tours leave from the Visitor Center.

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Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 58 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, running, and walking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime.

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It is the policy of Wind Cave National Park to allow filming and photography when and where possible, while adhering to this mandate.

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Groundwater is an important resource for the park and, in particular, for Wind Cave. Groundwater drips from the ceiling of the cave at numerous locations and exists in ponds, lakes, and streams on the cave floor.

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For Kids. Ranger guided cave tours, nature trails, and campfire programs are just some of the ways for kids and families to enjoy Wind Cave. Complete the activity book, learn about the park, and take the pledge to earn a Junior Ranger badge.

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The sound led them to a small hole in the ground, the cave's only natural opening. A wind was said to blow with such force out of the hole that it knocked Jesse's hat off. That wind, which gave the cave its name, is created by differences between atmospheric pressures in the cave and outside.

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Unlike other caves in the NPS system, Wind Cave has few stalactites and stalagmites because it's quite dry. What it's most known for is its calcite boxwork formations—Wind Cave contains 95% of the world's known boxwork.

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