National park · South Dakota

Wind Cave National Park

The first cave designated a national park anywhere in the world (1903) and the sacred Lakota emergence site, Maka Oniye — one of the longest and densest cave systems on Earth, famous for its rare honeycomb 'boxwork' calcite formations.

Entrance
No fee listed by NPS
Hours
Open 24 hours daily Wind Cave National Park
Established
January 3, 1903
Region
Great Plains & Heartland
Wind Cave National Park
Photo: NPS Photo · Public domain (US National Park Service)
The Wind Cave National Park patch

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History

Wind Cave National Park is historically significant as the first cave designated a national park in the world and the sixth national park in the United States. It holds a sacred place in Lakota culture and symbolizes their emergence from the underworld.

Key events

  1. January 9, 1903Wind Cave National Park established by President Theodore Roosevelt as the world's first national park established to protect a cave.
  2. 1881Wind Cave first 'discovered' by Anglo settlers Jesse and Tom Bingham (the Lakota considered it sacred long before).
  3. 1912Wind Cave became one of the first NPS units to reintroduce a bison herd from the Bronx Zoo.

Trails

  • Natural Entrance Tour (Cave) 1.25 mi · Moderate
  • Rankin Ridge Trail 1 mi · Easy
  • Cold Brook Canyon Trail 2.8 mi · Moderate
  • Wind Cave Canyon Trail 1.8 mi · Easy
  • Lookout Point Trail 5 mi · Moderate

Plan your visit

Hours · Wind Cave National Park

Open 24 hours, every day

The park is open all day, every day. Snow or severe weather can limit access to some areas of the park, especially in winter. Visitor Center hours and cave tour schedules vary throughout the year. Visit the park website or call 605.745.4600 for current conditions.

Entrance fees

NPS lists no entrance fee for this park.

Fees and hours as of May 2026. Check current details on NPS.gov

When to go

  • Summer. All cave tours available, prairie wildlife active
  • Fall. Bison rutting season, elk bugling, fewer crowds
  • Spring. Baby wildlife, wildflowers, pleasant hiking
  • Winter. Cave stays 54°F, solitude, wildlife easier to spot

Wildlife

BisonElkPrairie dogsPronghornBlack-footed ferretsMule deerCoyotesBurrowing owls

Nearby patches

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