Wind Cave National Park

Discover the world's most dense cave system.

Wind Cave National Park is located in the southwestern part of South Dakota. The vast underground Wind Cave features chambers like the Post Office and the Elks Room. Many of the cave’s walls are rich in honeycomb-shaped calcite formations known as boxwork. You can also see the prairies and pine forests, which are home to bison, black-footed ferrets, cougars, prairie dogs, elk, and pronghorn antelopes. Hiking trails you can explore include the Rankin Ridge, with views of the Black Hills.

Wind Cave is distinctive for its calcite fin formations called boxwork and needle-like growths called frostwork. The cave was discovered by the sound of wind coming from a hole in the ground. Guided tours of the cave are offered on a regular basis. Tour fees are about $12 per person and can only be purchased in person at the visitor center. The visitor center opens at 8 am daily, so consider arriving early to ensure you can get a cave tour ticket. If you want to spend multiple days in the park, consider camping at the Elk Mountain Campground. They have 62 campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis. It is open year-round and rarely fills up to its max capacity. Enjoy your trip to South Dakota's incredible Wind Cave with family and friends.