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Updated 02/11/23 7:04 PM
Wind Cave National Park
Wind Cave National Park is a place where you can see bison, elk and pronghorn and tour an interesting cave with unique formations found nowhere else.
South Dakota
2013, 2019
About The Park
Wind cave is an under-
Theodore Roosevelt established Wind Cave National Park as the seventh National Park in 1903. It’s got its name due to the rapid weather changes in that part of South Dakota causing changes in the barometric pressure which, combined with only a few small openings into the cave, lead to significant winds going into or out of the cave. In essence the cave breathes, as all caves do, but if there are large openings it isn’t as noticeable as one with only a few small openings.
The main reason people come to visit the Wind Cave National Park is to see its famous cave which is one of the longest caves in the world.
It is also one of the densest cave formations in the world with 150 miles of explored passageways. There are several different tours that a visitor can take from moderately strenuous walks to more strenuous hikes over steep slippery stairs and low passageways.
The cave is noted for its boxwork, frostwork and popcorn formations. Ninety-
Tours were suspended in the summer of 2019 due to problems with the elevator. Consult the National Park Service website (link at bottom of page) for current information regarding cave tours.
On a visit to Wind Cave you will almost certainly see bison, pronghorn and a few prairie dog towns. This is especially true if you drive the graded roads designated 5 and 6. These are fairly well maintained and, if driven slowly and carefully, will allow you to see the back country and its wildlife without damaging your vehicle.
As with any unpaved road, you don’t want to drive it in the rain, right after it rained, or if you can see rain heading your way.
The northern portions of these unpaved roads skirt the boundary of, or head into, the southernmost part of Custer State Park. A fence separates these two parks and on the other side of the fence we saw Custer’s buffalo herd, which at 1300 strong, is one of the largest herds in the world rivaling that of Yellowstone’s. We could see about 200 buffalo, many of which were close to the fence just a few feet away, along with four or five pronghorn resting in the grass. We also passed a large bull on our side of the fence in Wind Cave.
On a previous trip we encountered a pronghorn that seem to be as curious about us as we were about it. When I stopped the car it ambled over and stood right outside the open window of the car close enough to touch (which we certainly did not do). I did get the picture that you see at the top of the page which was taken without a zoom lens. Pronghorn generally are skittish and seeing this beautiful creature so close was a rare treat.
As we drove out of Wind Cave and into Custer State Park we encountered Custer’s ‘begging donkeys’. We didn’t know about them when we first saw them and gave them a lot of space since I know that wild horses can give you a nasty bite. Then we saw people getting out of their cars and petting and hugging them. The animals obviously enjoyed the attention. They were quite friendly and looking to be fed. We found out that in the nearby town of Custer they sell carrots to feed them. People give crackers to them and one lady who had donkeys on her farm said they like apples.
Wildlife
Along with the bison, pronghorn and prairie dogs already mentioned other wildlife that inhabits the park includes raccoons, elk, coyotes, skunks, badgers, cougars, bobcats, foxes and skunks. They’ve also relocated black-
Lodging
There is no lodging in the park. The nearby town of Custer has the most lodging and dining choices in the Wind Cave area. There is also lodging in Custer State Park.
Unless you have a plan to spend multiple days in Wind Cave National Park (and Custer State Park) the better option might be to stay in Rapid City, South Dakota. You will find all of the major chains and many fine local hotels, motels and bed and breakfast’s. This is centrally located to the many Rapid City area attractions (see below).
Hiking
There are a number of hiking trails that meander about the prairie grassland of various lengths and difficulty levels. There are no mountains and the hikes range from fairly flat to rolling hills. There isn’t much change in elevation. This kind of terrain is great for spotting wildlife as you can often see a good distance.
Other Points of Interest in the Rapid City area
The Rapid City area is a terrific destination where one can easily spend a week. There’s Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Custer State Park which has prairie dog towns and the largest buffalo herd in the country (more than 1300), the very scenic and unusual Needles Highway, the historic old cowboy town of Deadwood, South Dakota about 40 miles to the west, the Crazy Horse Memorial and there’s the famous Iron Mountain Road which is a loop road circling Custer State Park that has incredible views of Mount Rushmore and should not be missed!
Wind Cave National Park Photo Gallery
Rapid City Area Photo Gallery
Other Resources
Wind Cave National Park on the National Parks Service website -
Wind Cave National Park -
Other National Parks and National Monuments Within a Day’s Drive
Badlands National Park bison, bighorn sheep and South Dakota’s badlands are 103 miles from Badlands and 55 miles east of Rapid City.
Devil’s Tower National Monument this iconic monolith is about 190 miles from Badlands and about 106 miles from Rapid City.
Jewel Cave National Monument is another interesting and famous cave which is about 106 miles from Badlands and 55 miles south of Rapid City.
Rocky Mountain National Park 376 miles to the south is this gem of a National Park that consistently ranks in the top 5 most visited National Parks.
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