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Wind Cave National Park
Exploring the Cave

Cave Tours - Ranger guided tours of Wind Cave are offered on a scheduled basis year round. Fees are charged. The cave is closed on Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1. Cave tour tickets and information are available at the visitor center, where all tours begin.

Available are 3 cave tours — 2 tours are 1/2 mile; 1 tour is 1/4 mile — that follow paved, lighted walkways through underground passages decorated with boxwork and other fascinating cave formations. The Natural Entrance Tour and the Fairgrounds Tour, last 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours and require traversing 300 to 450 stairs. The shorter Garden of Eden Tour is about 3/4 of an hour and includes 150 stairs. Two special tours are offered from mid-June to mid-August. A l-mile candlelight tour allows visitors to experience Wind Cave as early visitors may have. Most of the tour route follows passages where the only light comes from handheld candle laterns. Bending, stooping and stair climbing are required on this 2 hour tour. Another special tour. the caving tour, lets visitors experience what is was like to explore a wild 3,000 foot passage of Wind Cave. Participants must be physically fit because much crawling is required on this 3- to 4-hour trip. Reservations for both special tours may be made no sooner than 1 month in advance. Contact the park for reservations or information about proper clothing, caving gear and age restrictions.

A short tour for visitors with special needs may be arranged at the visitor center.

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