• Wind Cave National Park - Two Worlds

    Wind Cave

    National Park South Dakota

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  • Elk Mountain Campground Closed

    The Elk Mountain Campground is closed and will remain closed through the summer of 2013 due to across the board budget cuts.

Wind Cave Room - Mammoths Backbone

Mammoths Backbone
Mammoths Backbone
NPS Photo by Jim Pisarowicz
 

Discovered by Jim Pisarowicz and Bob Kobza on October 22, 1986, this large trunk passage has a ridge of smooth redissolved breakdown down its center somewhat like a backbone.

Did You Know?

Natural Entrance of Wind Cave

Winds caused by changes in barometric pressure are what give Wind Cave its name.  These winds have been measured at the cave's walk-in entrance at over 70 mph. The winds at the natural entrance of the cave attracted the attention of Native Americans and early settlers.