Wind Cave Overview
Above ground, this national park in South Dakota is rolling prairie and Ponderosa pine forest inhabited by bison, elk, pronghorns, and prairie dogs, but below lies the world's fourth-largest cave system.
Guide Sections
Use Wind Cave Overview 's guide sections to understand how this stop fits into the larger park plan.
Wind Cave Overview Details
Difficulty
Open
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
N/A
Region
Learn About the Park
Above ground, this national park in South Dakota is rolling prairie and Ponderosa pine forest inhabited by bison, elk, pronghorns, and prairie dogs, but below lies the world's fourth-largest cave system. Park rangers lead a variety of cave tours; no individual exploration is permitted. These range from the easy .25-mile Garden of Eden tour to the dirty, strenuous, and claustrophobic four-hour Wild Caving Tour. Another popular tour explores Wind Cave's natural entrance; a popular walk is conducted by candlelight. Back on the surface, visitors will find 30 miles of hiking trails and nearly 30,000 acres to explore. Hikes include the Prairie Vista Nature Trail near the park visitor center, a one-mile jaunt to a fire tower on the Rankin Ridge Nature Trail, and the 3.6-mile Sanctuary Trail, which passes a prairie-dog town. Hikers and drivers alike can usually catch a glimpse of the park's bison herds. Established: January 9, 1903 Area: 28,295.03 acres Website: [www.nps.gov/wica](http://www.nps.gov/wica)
