Wind Cave National Park Active and Adventure Vacations

Wind Cave National Park Active and Adventure Travel Guide

Other Guides for Wind Cave National Park

Active and Adventure Destinations Near Wind Cave National Park

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Spelunkers in Snowdrift Avenue in Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota
Snowdrift Avenue in Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota (courtesy, National Park Service)

Wind Cave National Park Active and Adventure Highlights

By Travel Expert: Brian Kevin
  • While Wind Cave, one of the world's longest and most complex caves, certainly steals the show, there's more to the park, including 28,295 acres of mixed-grass prairie, ponderosa pine forest, and associated wildlife.
  • Guided tours are the only way to explore the caves here, as the vast majority of the Wind Cave is off-limits to cavers unless they are under the Park Service's direct supervision.
  • The park offers a tour through undeveloped portions of the cave, which requires a tutorial on basic caving skills and gear. This four-hour tour is the only way to get off the beaten path at Wind Cave. Reserve a spot for these trips a month in advance.

Wind Cave National Park Overview

For several centuries, American Indians have told stories of holes in the Black Hills through which the wind would blow and howl. But the first recorded discovery of Wind Cave came in 1881 when brothers Jesse and Tom Bingham were lured to the cave by a whistling noise. As the legend goes, the wind was rushing from the cave entrance with such force...

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Hotels

expert favorite hotel
Sojourner Inn
1729 Minnekahta Ave.
Hot Springs, SD 57747
Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Distance: 8.4 Miles
(from destination center)
Active Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel Parks and Outdoors travel
Budget Host Hills Inn
640 S. 6th Street
Hot Springs, SD
Hotel Class: 2 class stars
Distance: 9.0 Miles
(from destination center)
Active Expert Rating
2.0 out of 5
2.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel
from: $53
Best Western Sundowner Inn
737 S 6th Street
Hot Springs, SD
Hotel Class: 2 class stars
Distance: 9.1 Miles
(from destination center)
Active Expert Rating
2.0 out of 5
2.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel
All Wind Cave National Park Hotels
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Attractions

expert favorite attraction
Angostura Recreation Area
10 miles SE of Hot Springs off US Hwy. 385/18
13157 N. Angostura Rd.
Hot Springs, South Dakota 57747 Map
Distance: 8.5 Miles (from destination center)
Description: Angostura Reservoir is a recreation area offering... Read More
Active Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel Parks and Outdoors travel
expert favorite attraction
Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary
14 miles south of Hot Springs off Hwy. 71
P.O. Box 998
Hot Springs, South Dakota 57747 Map
Distance: 8.5 Miles (from destination center)
Description: The Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary spans 11,000... Read More
Active Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel Parks and Outdoors travel
Evans Plunge
1145 North River St.
Hot Springs, South Dakota Map
Distance: 8.1 Miles (from destination center)
Description: Evans Plunge is the world's largest warm-water... Read More
Active Expert Rating
3.0 out of 5
3.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel Parks and Outdoors travel
All Wind Cave National Park Attractions

Feature Articles

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Wind Cave National Park Active and Adventure Travel Guides

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