Learning
About the Cave and the Park
- Natural
Entrance Cave Tour
- Visitors
walk through the middle level of the cave where boxwork is abundant. This tour
begins at the walk-in entrance and exits by elevator. This moderately strenuous,
1¼ hour tour has 300 stairs (mostly down).
- Fairgrounds
Cave Tour
- This
tour includes some of the larger rooms found in the developed area of the cave.
Visitors will see examples of many cave formations, including Wind Cave boxwork.
The tour enters and exits the cave by elevator. This moderately strenuous tour
has 450 stairs and last 1½ hours.
- Garden
of Eden Cave Tour
- Representative features
of Wind Cave are seen on this tour which enters and leaves the cave by
elevator. This one hour tour is our least strenuous with 150 stairs.
- Candlelight
Cave Tour
- Experience
the cave by candlelight. This tour takes place in a less developed,
unlighted part of the cave. Each participant will carry a candle
bucket. Shoes with non-slip soles are required. No sandals! This
tour is limited to 10 people and the minimum age is 8. This strenuous
tour covers one mile of rugged trail and lasts 2 hours. Reservations
are strongly recommended. Reservations may only be made in person
or by telephone - (605) 745-4600.
- Wild
Cave Tour
- Explore the
cave away from the developed trails. On this 4-hour tour visitors
will be introduced to basic, safe caving. Wear old clothes and
gloves, as much of the trip will be crawling. Long pants, long
sleeved shirts and sturdy, lace up boots or shoes with non-slip
soles are required. The park provides hard hats, lights and kneepads.
Please do not bring jewelry, watches and other valuables on the
tour. This tour is limited to 10 people and the minimum age is
16. We require a signed consent form for those 17 and under. Reservations
are required. Reservations may only be made in person or by telephone
- (605) 745-4600.
- Discovery
Activity
- Join
a ranger for a short talk or demonstration explaining some facet of the park.
Topics may include local wildlife, plants, geology, area history, Lakota culture
and cave surveying. Check at the visitor center for meeting place and topic.
- Prairie
Hike
- Explore
the park's prairie and forest habitats with a ranger. This 2-hour activity will
meet at the visitor center and then drive to a nearby trailhead. Hiking boots
and study shoes and water are advised. Check at the visitor center for details.
- Campfire
Program
- Become
better acquainted with Wind Cave National Park. Evening campfire talks are presented
at the Elk Mountain Campground amphitheater. Topics may include wildlife, plants,
geology, park management and history. Nightly program titles are posted at the
visitor center. The programs last about 45 minutes.
- Cave
Tours for Visitors with Special Needs
- The visitor
center and the cave are accessible to people with limited mobility.
Limited areas of the cave are accessible to wheelchairs. To schedule
a special tour, please call ahead (605-745-4600) or check at the
information desk. There are fees charged for these services. For
more information, call the park at 605-745-4600.
Program
Schedule
Wind
Cave National Park 1903-2003 Video Real VIdeo
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