NPS Photo

Ranger and Young Visitors in the Elks Room along the Fairgrounds Cave Tour

This 1½ hour tour explores both the upper and middle levels of Wind Cave. Boxwork is abundant along the trail in the middle level of the cave. In the upper level, the trail winds through the larger rooms where popcorn and frostwork can be seen. This is our most strenuous walking tour. The tour enters and exits the cave by elevator and there are 450 stairs along the one-half mile route with one flight of 89 steps going up.

Scheduled Tours

Fairgrounds Cave Tours will resume in June of 2008.

Features

• The tour enters and exits the cave by elevator.
• The tour lasts 1½ hours, is ½ mile long, and encounters 450 stairs.
• You will be walking through both upper and middle levels of the cave. Larger rooms, boxwork, and other speleothems can be seen on this tour.

Fees*

Some rooms seen on this tour:

Elks Room | Fairgrounds | Fallen Flats | Summer Avenue | Temple

Safety and Conservation

Cave trails are dimly lighted and trail surfaces may be uneven, wet and slippery. Some of the cave ceilings are low, requiring some bending or stooping. Tours are moderately strenuous.

PERSONS WITH HEART CONDITIONS OR OTHER PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS SHOULD RECONSIDER.

Wear low-heeled walking shoes with non-slip soles. Do not wear sandals or shoes with leather or hard composition soles. A light jacket or sweater is recommended as the cave is 53° F [11° C].

For the protection of the cave, please do not touch the cave, remove cave rocks or formations, or step off the trail. Photography is permitted, but please no tripods. Please stay with the tour group.

There are no restrooms in the cave. Pets are not permitted in the cave.

PLEASE NO EATING, DRINKING, SMOKING, OR CHEWING GUM OR TOBACCO WHILE ON TOUR.