Outbound Collective logo

Tour Wind Cave

Hot Springs, South Dakota

4.8/5
based on 5 reviews

Details

Distance

0.67 miles

Elevation Gain

6 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Jason Hatfield

The 6th largest and densest cave system in the world.

Established in 1903, Wind Cave National Park is home to over 140 miles of mapped cave passages. The cave features 95% of the world's known boxwork calcite formations and got its name from the sound of rushing wind created at its few small openings.

A guided tour is the only way to see the cave system unless you are in the park's limited volunteer cave exploring group. Depending on the time of year, up to 5 different tours are offered: nps.gov/wica/planyourvisit/schedule.htm. Tickets are only available the same day on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Read More

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Photography
Hiking
Easy Parking
Family Friendly
Groups
Scenic

Tour Wind Cave Reviews

It’s a dry cave so do not expect stalagmite formations. Instead the cave is filled with boxwork and other magnificent formations. Can be a lot of walking but definitely worth the time!!

😃

Explorer

11/19/20

I went mid-summer in July, so the crowds should have been expected (pre-pandemic). While I liked the cave, I think I was underwhelmed because I visited Carlsbad Caverns less than a year before. The history of it is still fascinating. I actually found the rolling green hills outside of it on the drive in full of wildflowers and trees just as exciting. It was a strange juxtaposition because you're basically walking above the cave system you had no idea was there.

I explored with the wild cave trip under candlelight. Pretty awesome, but a few tight squeezes and you will get dirty and it takes most of the day. All worth it.

It's the 6th longest cave in the world and they are still discovering more passage ways every year... about 3 miles a year. I highly recommend taking a tour. I'd like to go back and try the wild cave tour where crawling is required.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Camp at Elk Mountain Campground in Wind Cave National Park

Hike the Lookout Point Loop at Wind Cave National Park

Photograph Sunset at Wind Cave NP

Fly Fish French Creek

Hike the Stockade Lake Trail

Drive the Custer State Park Wildlife Loop

Go Great Places in South Dakota

In the Mount Rushmore state, travels to South Dakota are full of one-of-a-kind adventure with wide-open spaces as endless as the horizons. Between legendary landscapes and scenic drives, you can always find space that shifts life into park. When you’re ready, go great places.

Learn More