Wind Cave National Park
Wind Cave National Park is one of America's oldest national parks. The cave is also one of the longest and most complex caves in the world. The cave is famous for it’s boxwork, a unique formation rarely found elsewhere in the world. On top of the cave is endless prairie which is home to buffalo, elk, prairie dogs, and more. There are several hikes to do in the park, and several cave tours. I highly recommend doing a cave tour when you visit. It is not only really neat, but very educational.
We went to the Natural Entrance cave tour which lasted about 1.5 hours and cost $12.00. I thought it was definitely worth the price. This tour had a total of 300 stairs, mostly down, and was 2/3 of a mile long. I didn’t think it was hard at all, but some people in the party were scared of all the steps. I want to check out the other tours in the cave one day when time allows.
Wind Cave is off of Highway 385 between the towns of Pringle and Hot Springs. Driving through the park is free and the tours cost different prices.
The park is mostly wide open prairie.
Lots of buffalo roam here.
Prairie dog towns everywhere.
Exhibit displays explaining the park.
Large campground for those who want to spend the night.
Buffalo working commission - perfect place to stand.
Saw 3 coyotes on a back road between Wind Cave National Park and Custer State Park.
Wind Cave visitor center and store.
Hole where it all started - the beginning of Wind Cave.
Displays in the visitor center.
Path to the cave
Natural Entrance Tour - cave just kept going down and down and down… this shot is from the bottom of one such staircase. Stairs like this are throughout the cave on this tour.
Light everywhere in the cave to get a look at the formations over time.
Cool formations on top of cave ceiling.
Famous boxwork formations on the ceilings in the cave - very unique to only Wind Cave National Park.
Wind Cave picnic area.
Found this guy walking the Centennial Trail in Wind Cave.
Storm coming on fast.
Cool bridge on Highway 87 just north of the visitor’s center.
Just located north of Wind Cave outside the park.