Wind Cave National Park - Hot Springs, South Dakota

Wind Cave was on our list of places to see in the area, so along with John and Terri, we drove the twenty miles to Wind Cave National Park. Wind Cave is the 4th largest cave in the world with more than 135 miles of explored passages. The cave is famous for its boxwork formations. It is only one of two discovered caves that contain these formations. We opted for the 1 1/2 hour guided Fairgrounds Tour. The cave is much drier than other caves we have visited (i.e. Carlsbad Caverns). Formations such as stalactites and stalagmites are rare in Wind Cave. After the tour we had lunch in Custer and visited the local bookstore.

Example of boxwork

Popcorn and Frostwork formations.

Steep and narrow passages