What is so special about Wind Cave?

The cave is well known for its outstanding display of boxwork, an unusual cave formation composed of thin calcite fins resembling honeycombs. The park's mixed-grass prairie is one of the few remaining and is home to native wildlife such as bison, elk, pronghorn, mule deer, coyotes, and prairie dogs.



People Also Ask

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

The tour enters and exits the cave by elevator and there are 450 stairs along the 2/3 mile route with one flight of 89 steps going up.

MORE DETAILS

How Long Does It Take to Go Through Cave of the Winds? On average, it takes 45 minutes to 1.5 hours to go through Cave of the Winds. You can choose to spend more or less time, but I recommend taking it slow to soak it all in. During my visit, I spent about 1 hour and 15 minutes exploring the Cave of the Winds.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Explore this 3.0-mile out-and-back trail near Mesa, Arizona. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 58 min to complete.

MORE DETAILS