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Wind Cave National Park |
Description:
One of the world's longest and most complex caves and 28,295 acres of mixed-grass prairie, ponderosa pine forest, and associated wildlife are the main features of the park. The cave is well known for its outstanding display of boxwork, an unusual cave formation composed of thin calcite fins resembling honeycombs. The park's mixed grass prairie is one of the few remaining and is home to native wildlife such as bison, elk, pronghorn, mule deer, coyotes, and prairie dogs.
Designations:
National Park (January 9, 1903)
National Game Preserve (August 10, 1912)
Accessibility:
The visitor center, including two exhibit rooms and restrooms, is accessible. Campground restrooms and one campsite are accessible. Limited areas of the cave are accessible to wheelchairs.
Getting Around:
There are 30 miles of hiking trails in the park. U.S. Route 385, S.D. Route 87 and two backcountry roads make much of the park accessible to motor vehicles.
Two trails, the Rankin Ridge Trail and the Elk Mountain Trail are self-guiding nature trails with trail booklets.
Activites:
Auto_Touring | Biking | Camping | Educational Programs | Hiking | Horseback Riding | Wildlife Viewing | Backpacking | Bird Watching | Nature Walks | Stargazing | And more.
Facilities:
Visitor_Centers | Picnic Areas | Comfort Stations | Museum Exhibits | Tours & Guided Activities | And more.
Nature: Bison | Caves | And more.
Directions to Wind Cave National Park
Plane:
Nearest commerical airport is in Rapid City, SD.
Car:
Visitors traveling on I-90: At Rapid City, SD, exit onto U.S. Route 79 south. Follow Route 79 south approximately 50 miles to U.S. Route 18. Turn right onto U.S. Route 385 North, which will take you through Hot Springs and into Wind Cave National Park. Follow signs to the visitor center for cave tours and general park information.
Visitors can also reach the park by following U.S. Route 16 west out of Rapid City onto U.S. Route 385 south. Visitors traveling from Nebraska can follow U.S. Route 385 north to the park.
Public Transportation
No public transportation serves the park.
Attractions:
Mammoth Site
Phone:605-745-6017
Custer State Park
Angostura State Recreation Area
Phone:605-745-6996
Mickelson Trail
Black Hills National Forest
Phone:605-673-2251
Nearby Parks:
Jewel Cave National Monument in South Dakota (36 miles)
Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota (36 miles)
Badlands National Park in South Dakota (36 miles)
Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming (36 miles)
Agate Fossil Beds National Monument in Nebraska (36 miles)
Fort Laramie National Historic Site in Wyoming (36 miles)
Scotts Bluff National Monument in Nebraska (36 miles)
Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming (36 miles)
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Contact Information for Wind Cave National Park
RR 1 Box 190
Hot Springs, SD
57747-9430
Phone: 605-745-4600
Fax: 605-745-4207
Located in Hot Springs, SD
For more information on Wind Cave National Park
Information on this page provided by the NPS.
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South Dakota Road Maps (SD Maps)
South Dakota Photos