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Wind Cave National Park

Wind Cave National Park
Located near Hot Springs, SD

Buffalo Trail at Wind Cave National Park
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Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota is located in the western region of the state, near the town of Hot Springs. American Indians in the Black Hills related stories of a place that emitted winds through a hole in the earth. During the late 1800s two men found the site when they heard a gust of air emanating from the hole; however it was not until the 1890s after the hole had been enlarged, that Alvin McDonald ventured into the Wind Cave, and discovered the vastness of this underground marvel. The maze of cave 'rooms' that existed were mapped by the young man during the next few years, following a mining claim by his father which allowed them to explore and bring tourists in the cave system. It was not until a dispute entered into the courts that a decision was adjudicated indicating that since neither of the parties was mining the caves or homesteading the land, neither had a right to be there. Shortly after this time the Wind Cave National Park was created to protect the natural resources of this unique and wondrous cave system.

Wind Cave National Park Campgrounds - Topo Maps

Drive Through Wind CaveWind Cave BridgeWind Cave Buffalowind_cave_campground.jpgWind Cave Prairie Dogs

This was the first cave anywhere in the world to have such a designation, which has since been mapped by other explorers, with new areas discovered yearly. Wind Cave is one of the longest and densest caves in the world. Renowned for its awe inspiring formations as boxwork (strands of mineral calcite forming boxes or honeycombs) and frostwork which can only be described as works of art resembling asymmetrical snowflakes often mounted upon other formations of popcorn (small round calcite structures). The predominance of discovered boxwork is located in the Wind Caves. The grounds above the caves offer their own allure, including the largest natural mixed-grass prairie in the United States. The diversity of the ecosystem protected by the Park Service offers recreational opportunities for hikers and backpackers with sightings of bison, pronghorn antelope, elk, coyotes and prairie dogs roaming the Park. Aside from 30 some odd miles of hiking trails, there are roads that run through the park making it accessible for everyone. The Visitor Center has films and exhibits of the history and geology of the cave, along with wildlife and natural history. Their campground is open year-round with cave tours available most of the year.

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Wind Cave National Park:
>Wind Cave National Park Visitor Center Location.
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