Wind Cave National Park
Explore South Dakota’s hidden gem, home to one of the longest caves in the world, prairie wildlife, and scenic trails.
Wind Cave National Park protects one of the longest and most complex caves in the world, along with the mixed-grass prairie ecosystem above it.
Location
Located in southwestern South Dakota, USA.
Quick Facts
Size: 33,847 acres
Year Established: 1903
Unique Features: Boxwork cave formations, prairie wildlife.
Explore fascinating cave formations and enjoy wildlife sightings on the picturesque prairie.
Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota is home to one of the longest and most complex cave systems in the world. What makes it truly unique is its rare boxwork formations—thin, honeycomb-like calcite structures that decorate the cave ceilings and walls. Wind Cave has the largest concentration of boxwork found anywhere on Earth, making it a geological wonder. The cave was named for the strong barometric winds that rush in and out of its natural entrance, a phenomenon early explorers noticed before its vast underground chambers were even mapped.