Life As a National Park

At the turn of the 20th Century, the idea of protecting natural spaces was still new. Yellowstone National Park became the first protected park of its kind in 1872. The idea behind this decision was to create a “public park or pleasuring ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people”. It was with this same goal in mind that Wind Cave National Park became the 7th National Park on January 3, 1903. 

Wind Cave is not the only National Park in South Dakota. However, it was the first established in the new state and was the first cave to be designated as a park. Originally, the National Park’s main purpose was to protect the cave itself, but by 1912 the protection was increased to include the area above ground to protect the native wildlife. 

The wildlife preservation aspect came a year later in 1913 when 14 bison were reintroduced to the park from the New York Zoological Society.  Today the park above ground abounds with the descendants of those 14 original bison, antelope, deer, prairie dogs, coyotes, birds, and even elk in the nearby forest.

The Wind Cave was already well known to residents of South Dakota, going back hundreds (if not thousands) of years, despite the small, natural cave opening in the rocks. 

Native tribes in the area believed the cave to be sacred. Modern Lakota referred to the cave as “Maka Oniye” or “breathing earth”, and linked this place to their origin myth called the Emergence Story. They believed that hidden deep inside the cave was a passageway to the spirit lodge and the spirit world.

As for white settlers, the cave was not found until 1881. Two brothers, Jesse and Tom Bingham, heard a loud whistling noise coming from a hole in the ground (the cave’s only natural opening). However, it was later adventurers like Alvin McDonald who entered the cave and began its official (and unofficial) exploration.

Native Lore and Early Explorers

What gives Wind Cave its distinctive sound? The answer is the flow of air in and out of the cave due to the differences in air pressure inside and outside of the cave. However, the breathing rhythm of the cave is far from the only thing that makes this site unique. 

Did you know that Wind Cave contains roughly 95% of the world’s discovered boxwork? Boxwork is a honeycomb-like formations that occur when limestone is slowly eroded, revealing the veins of calcite. This unique pattern is very different from the stalactites and stalagmites often found in other caves, which are not found here due to Wind Cave’s relative dryness. 

During the cave’s formation 320 million years ago, parts of the limestone in the upper levels were dissolved into the cave passageways. Ocean levels fluctuated, depositing sediments in the passages and above the limestone.

Cave Formation and Geology

There’s a lot you can do at Wind Cave National Park, any time of the year. Some of the most popular activities include:

• Cave Tours: Enjoy touring some of the 80 miles of mapped passages
• Visiting the natural entrance: See the small hole that inspired the myths and legends of the cave. Be respectful as this is a deeply spiritual place to many Native groups.
• Driving Tours: This 20-mile tour will teach you about the geological history of the Black Hills.
• Solo and Group Hiking: The 30 miles of hiking trails around the park: enjoy the pristine Black Hills scenery
• Pet-Friendly Hiking: There are two dog-friendly trails near the Visitor Center.
• Wildlife Watching: The combination of prairie and forest ecosystems is home to a variety of large and small wildlife from prairie dog towns to bison ranges!
  

• Camping: Enjoy thousands of acres of undeveloped forest and prairie for tent camping. If you have an RV, swing by our beautiful RV Park for convenience and tranquility during your trip.
• Biking: Take your time to see the park on your bike. Please remember to stick to established roads.
• Horseback Riding: The sprawling grasslands and woods are perfect for horseback riding. Be mindful that there are no facilities to provide horses, and you may need a permit to bring your horse into the park. Plan ahead!
• Picnicking: The picnic areas are open to the public from sunrise to sunset year-round. Enjoy a meal during the daylight hours, and remember to clean up when you're done.