Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota has one of the world’s longest cave systems, with 136 miles mapped. The park also features prairies, forests, and wildlife, including elk and bison. The cave generates winds up to 70 mph and has been explored since its discovery in 1881. Visitors can take ranger-led tours and camp in the park.
Wind Cave National Park is located in the Black Hills of South Dakota. It is known for having one of the longest cave systems in the world. The area within the park boundaries comprises 28,295 acres (approximately 11,450 hectares). Above ground, park features include grassy prairies and ponderosa pine forests. There are also abundant forms of wildlife in Wind Cave National Park, including elk, bison, and mule deer. No one knows exactly how far underground the Cave of the Wind extends, and it is still being explored to this day. The cave owes its name to the fact that the tunnels inside generate winds of up to 70 miles per hour (about 112 km).
Native American stories about Wind Cave go back several centuries. White settlers found the cave in 1881 by following a whistle. As Jesse and Tom Bingham approached the cave entrance, the wind from the tunnel blew off Tom’s hat. The winds from the cave actually change direction based on the difference in barometric pressure between the cave and the surface. Mining claims have been established in the cave, but have yielded nothing of value. Claim owners then started offering paid tours to see the cave system. The cave became a popular tourist attraction, and President Theodore Roosevelt designated Wind Cave National Park in 1903.
Visitors often come on ranger-led tours of Wind Cave National Park. The cave’s tunnels have been mapped out more than 136 miles (about 218 km) as of 2011, and more are being explored every year. As of 2011, it is the fourth longest discovered cave in the world. Cave tours are available all year round. Visitors can tour approximately half a mile (less than 1km) of the cave. An elevator and stairs were built at the entrance. Park rangers warn that visitors should take extra care when visiting the cave, as the steps can be wet and slippery. The park gets crowded with tourists in the summer and there is often a wait to buy tickets to visit the cave.
Camping is an option when visiting Wind Cave National Park. Campsites for both tents and mobile homes are available. Water and toilet facilities are available from spring to autumn at the campsites. Visitors can stay up to two weeks to see the park’s wildlife, forests, and grasslands. More than a dozen nature trails are maintained for visitors to hike. Other activities include educational programs with park rangers and tours of Wind Cave for the disabled.
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