WINDY CAVE NATIONAL PARK
Located an hour's drive southwest of Rapid City is one of the longest and most complex caves in the world. Wind Cave National Park was the 7th National Park developed and has beauty both above and below the surface.
Above ground, visitors can explore 28,000 acres of mixed-grass prairie, hike on 30 miles of trails. Below the surface, ranger-guided tours go through narrow passageways filled with intricate boxwork and other geological phenomenons. There are hikes of multiple length, time and stairs including one for people with disabilities. For example, the "Garden of Eden" tour takes one hour and has 150 steps. There is a charge for each of the underground tours; that charge will be discounted if one is over 62 and possess a National Park pass i.e. the "Garden of Eden" tour cost 2 seniors $10.00. https://www.visitrapidcity.com/wind-cave-national-park
Driving to Wind Cave National Park can be a gorgous experience as there are many Buffalo/Bison that roam free range along the roads. Also look for huge communities of prarie dogs sticking their heads up from their dens.
Going to Wind Cave is often done in conjuction with driving through Custer State Park- a must drive if one's time permits. Custer State Park contains 71,000 acres and is one of the largest state parks in the USA. Two roads to take inside the park are Iron Mountain Road and Needles Highway.
If time permits, the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site and Jewel Cave National Momument (the world's third longest cave) are designations to consider.
Many combine a trip to Mount Rushmore National Monument with a trip to Wind Cave National Park and Custer State Park--all apart of a beautiful area known as the Blackhills.
Close by is the Devils Tower National Momument that requires a major parking fee to get close to it. However, one can see it well by driving up to the admissions point.
A related national park is Badlands National Park--that is located about a four hour drive from this area.
Above ground, visitors can explore 28,000 acres of mixed-grass prairie, hike on 30 miles of trails. Below the surface, ranger-guided tours go through narrow passageways filled with intricate boxwork and other geological phenomenons. There are hikes of multiple length, time and stairs including one for people with disabilities. For example, the "Garden of Eden" tour takes one hour and has 150 steps. There is a charge for each of the underground tours; that charge will be discounted if one is over 62 and possess a National Park pass i.e. the "Garden of Eden" tour cost 2 seniors $10.00. https://www.visitrapidcity.com/wind-cave-national-park
Driving to Wind Cave National Park can be a gorgous experience as there are many Buffalo/Bison that roam free range along the roads. Also look for huge communities of prarie dogs sticking their heads up from their dens.
Going to Wind Cave is often done in conjuction with driving through Custer State Park- a must drive if one's time permits. Custer State Park contains 71,000 acres and is one of the largest state parks in the USA. Two roads to take inside the park are Iron Mountain Road and Needles Highway.
If time permits, the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site and Jewel Cave National Momument (the world's third longest cave) are designations to consider.
Many combine a trip to Mount Rushmore National Monument with a trip to Wind Cave National Park and Custer State Park--all apart of a beautiful area known as the Blackhills.
Close by is the Devils Tower National Momument that requires a major parking fee to get close to it. However, one can see it well by driving up to the admissions point.
A related national park is Badlands National Park--that is located about a four hour drive from this area.
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