News Release

Holiday Open House and Annual Bird Count Help Celebrate the Season at Wind Cave National Park

A Blue Jay is one of the bird species that might be seen on the Wind Cave National Park Christmas Bird Count held on Sunday, December 16.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: December 4, 2018

Contact: Tom Farrell, 605-745-1130

WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK, S.D. – Holiday events this year at Wind Cave National Park begin Sunday, December 16,^, with the Twenty-Third Annual Wind Cave National Park Christmas Bird Count followed by the park’s holiday open house on Monday, December 17.  

Bird count participants should dress for the weather, bring field guides, and binoculars. Plan to meet at the visitor center no later than 7:30 a.m. on December 16. Afterwards, there will be a potluck supper around 4:15 p.m. in the visitor center; bring a dish to share. RSVP by calling the park at 605-745-4600.

The open house will run from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the visitor center. Light refreshments will be served, and students from the Hot Springs’ third grade will present their Christmas program at 1:30 p.m. The students will also decorate the visitor center Christmas tree.

“We’d like to thank the Hot Springs Elementary School for their support over the years in letting third graders come out and provide musical entertainment for us,” said Park Superintendent Vidal Dávila. “We look forward to this opportunity to meet with our neighbors, and we wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season.”

During the open house, the public will be able to view park exhibits and browse through the park store operated by the Black Hills Parks and Forests Association.

The Christmas Bird Count is patterned after the National Audubon Society’s effort to document trends in wintering birdlife throughout the United States. The count area will include all of Wind Cave National Park and areas of the Black Hills National Forest and Custer State Park.

The visitor center and cave will close on Christmas and New Year’s Day to allow staff to celebrate the holidays with their families. Throughout the remainder of the winter, the visitor center will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with cave tours at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.