Wind Cave NP

[DEC-1982]

For those who have been on the tours inside the cave, which ones would you recommend? Budgeting 2-2.5 hours for this
Garden of Eden tour 0.25 miles
Natural Entrance Tour 0.6 miles
Fairgrounds Tour 0.7 miles
Candlelight Tour 0.7 miles
Don't plan to do the fifth one, Wild Cave Tour

I don't have a feeling for how long these tours take. Also, should I do reservations in advance?

We plan to spend the rest of the day on the surface inside the NP.

 

[audreyh1]

We stayed in Custer SP and visited Mount Rushmore and other Black Hills sites. How did we miss Wind Cave NP?

 

[stepford]

How did we miss Wind Cave NP?

Well, it is underground.

 

[mattbaxx]

DW and I did the Fairgrounds Tour in 2017 and really enjoyed it. I'm pretty sure we had reservations. We chose it because it was described as the most strenuous and fit in our free time for the day. In our mid 50s at the time and fairly fit it was well within our abilities. We have seen quite a few caves and this one did not disappoint. The nat'l park website offers duration times. I often find I'm faster than the posted duration times. Since this one was a guided tour it was probably pretty accurate.

 

[DEC-1982]

Well, it is underground.

Yes and no. Although in Teddy Roosevelt's time it was only the cave, there are 30 miles of hiking trails. I understand the Sanson Ranch (5556 acres) was purchased in 2011.

 

[DEC-1982]

DW and I did the Fairgrounds Tour in 2017 and really enjoyed it. I'm pretty sure we had reservations. We chose it because it was described as the most strenuous and fit in our free time for the day. In our mid 50s at the time and fairly fit it was well within our abilities. We have seen quite a few caves and this one did not disappoint. The nat'l park website offers duration times. I often find I'm faster than the posted duration times. Since this one was a guided tour it was probably pretty accurate.

Thank you mattbaxx. I will check the website; I had forgotten to do this. So far, I have only read the section from the National Geographic "Guide to National Parks of the United States" for my information.

Having been to Carlsbad Caverns NP, DW wasn't keen on this one, but I have a strong feeling Wind Cave (the caves part) is very different from Carlsbad Caverns.

 

[stepford]

Yes and no. Although in Teddy Roosevelt's time it was only the cave, there are 30 miles of hiking trails. I understand the Sanson Ranch (5556 acres) was purchased in 2011.

That's interesting. We only did the cave tour when we visited a dozen years ago. Is the above ground portion worth the visit?

 

[audreyh1]

We have visited several state and national parks with caves, plus 1 private and a few overseas. I have enjoyed every one. Each has been unique. A notable one which is privately owned is near Sonora TX on I-10, Caverns of Sonoran is a small highly active cave and is like walking through a treasure chest. Another that was super cool (pun!) was an ice cave way up in the Austrian Alps. Numerous other caves we still really enjoyed especially those with reflecting pools. Onondaga cave near St. Louis MO was memorable for that and nice lighting too.

 

[NW-Bound]

For those who have been on the tours inside the cave, which ones would you recommend? Budgeting 2-2.5 hours for this
Garden of Eden tour 0.25 miles
Natural Entrance Tour 0.6 miles
Fairgrounds Tour 0.7 miles
Candlelight Tour 0.7 miles
Don't plan to do the fifth one, Wild Cave Tour

I don't have a feeling for how long these tours take. Also, should I do reservations in advance?

We plan to spend the rest of the day on the surface inside the NP.

In an RV trip many years ago, we stayed a few days in the Wind Cave NP campground. We took a cave tour or two, but the above tours do not ring any bell. Old age senility is here!

 

[Montecfo]

We have visited several state and national parks with caves, plus 1 private and a few overseas. I have enjoyed every one. Each has been unique. A notable one which is privately owned is near Sonora TX on I-10, Caverns of Sonoran is a small highly active cave and is like walking through a treasure chest. Another that was super cool (pun!) was an ice cave way up in the Austrian Alps. Numerous other caves we still really enjoyed especially those with reflecting pools. Onondaga cave near St. Louis MO was memorable for that and nice lighting too.

We also love caves. Sonora is great. We have a lot up here in Virgina too including Luray Caverns which they say is best east of Mississippi and I believe.

In SD we also missed Wind Cave but we went to a cave, I think Crystal Cave. We did it with lanterns. Really cool.

I guess there is also Jewel Cave nearby, have not done that either.

Need to return!

 

[old medic]

We also love caves. Sonora is great. We have a lot up here in Virgina too including Luray Caverns which they say is best east of Mississippi and I believe.

Have drove by Luray several times a year since 78 and have never stopped. But if they can beat Mammoth Caves .... DANG.... Been in many caves, Smoke Hole Caverns in WV near Senica Rocks was one of the most interesting.

 

[Hyper]

DW and I just went through Jewel Caves near Custer a couple weeks ago.

 

[DEC-1982]

Is the above ground portion worth the visit?

I haven't been there yet. But this is what I have compiled so far, a list to cull from, mostly from the NPS app, nps.gov site and other reading

9.1 Prairie Vista - 1 mile loop trail 30-45 min
9.2 Rankin Ridge Nature Trail - 1 mile loop, 30-60 min
9.3 Wind Cave Canyon Trail - 3.6 miles, 75-90 min, for bird watching
9.4 Elk Mountain Nature Trail - 1 mile loop 30-60 min
9.5 Wind Cave Natural Entrance 10-20 minutes
9.6 Cold Brook Canyon 2.8 miles out and back 1-2 hours
9.7 Lookout Point 2.2 miles 1-2 hours

9.8 Wind Cave Geology Driving Tour 20 miles 60-90 min

I was eyeing this (below) also but I suspect it would take too much time or it would crowd out all the other trails. It looked really nice

Wind Cave: Hiking the Lookout Point & Centennial Loop - Sailingstone Travel

While most known for its cave tours, Wind Cave National Park's Lookout Point Trail & Centennial Loop hike shouldn't be missed.

sailingstonetravel.com

 

[DEC-1982]

I have enjoyed reading the other posts. Great ideas for the future.

 

[Montecfo]

Have drove by Luray several times a year since 78 and have never stopped. But if they can beat Mammoth Caves .... DANG.... Been in many caves, Smoke Hole Caverns in WV near Senica Rocks was one of the most interesting.

Just to be clear, Luray's greatness is in its beautiful formations. They are everywhere. Mammoth's greatness is essentially it's huge size. Luray is much smaller but there are also other cavern systems nearby within a few miles (Shenandoah Caverns, Endless Caverns, Skyline Caverns, Grand Caverns) all off of I-81 kind of circling Luray. Worth a stop.

Very different experiences, and as Audreyh1 was saying, each is unique.

Will have to try Smoke Hole Caverns!

 

[old medic]

Will have to try Smoke Hole Caverns!

We want to hit them all along 81 The problem is always time.
What's wild about Smoke Hole is the 1st part has been used for thousands of years and most the formations are gone from human occupation. Then a 2nd section was found opened And its totally different.

 

[CO-guy]

We visited Wind Cave NP a few years ago. We had considered the tours, but people line up in chairs, sleeping bags and tents before sunrise to get any available spots, so definitely make reservations.

We camped there one night and our plan was to hike and bike around the park if we couldn't get a tour, but bison ended up cutting both backup plans short. That wasn't an issue at Custer SP and elsewhere, but I would stick with using a vehicle for surface exploration of Wind Cave. On the upside, we loved spending the day at Moccasin Springs just a few miles south of the park entrance in Hot Springs, SD. Solid restaurant options in town as well.

 

[audreyh1]

We spent several days at Custer State Park back in early 2000s. It’s a huge state park, 71,000 acres. The State Game Lodge had great meals - fine dining with lots of game options including my first ever braised bison short ribs - delicious! There were many terrific scenic drives, including a fun one out to Mount Rushmore. Tons of wildlife. Overall very restful. We stayed in a “cabin” a pretty upscale outbuilding not far from the lodge.

Just mentioning it for anyone visiting that area.

 

[Montecfo]

We spent several days at Custer State Park back in early 2000s. It’s a huge state park, 71,000 acres. The State Game Lodge had great meals - fine dining with lots of game options including my first ever braised bison short ribs - delicious! There were many terrific scenic drives, including a fun one out to Mount Rushmore. Tons of wildlife. Overall very restful. We stated in a “cabin” a pretty upscale out building not far from the lodge.

Just mentioning it for anyone visiting that area.

Yes. And lots else to do in the area: Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Mammoth site, Badlands, Needles Highway and much more.
One of my favorite US destinations.

 

[Gremlin]

Yes. And lots else to do in the area: Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Mammoth site, Badlands, Needles Highway and much more.
One of my favorite US destinations.

DH has instructions that, if I die before him, he is to sprinkle my ashes at the base of the Cathedral Spires along Needles Highway.

 

[DEC-1982]

We visited Wind Cave NP a few years ago. We had considered the tours, but people line up in chairs, sleeping bags and tents before sunrise to get any available spots, so definitely make reservations.

I was looking at the reservations yesterday afternoon, and was shocked that some had already gone for the day we planned to be there.

 

[Luvdogs]

We're heading in that area and to Glacier in June; just decided a few days ago and getting hotel reservations has been difficult-3rd choice, 4th choice...

 

[CO-guy]

I was looking at the reservations yesterday afternoon, and was shocked that some had already gone for the day we planned to be there.

Yes, it's a bucket list for a lot of folks, so book as early as possible.

 

[camfused]

I did the natural entrance tour. It was a nice tour and easy enough to walk. It was 100+ degrees that day, so it was much appreciated underground. Be sure to take to Wildlife Loop road in Custer State Park too.