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Wind Cave National Park

Bison Standing in Open Plains, Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota | Shutterstock / SamanthaZurbic
Bison Standing in Open Plains, Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota | Shutterstock / SamanthaZurbic

Wind Cave National Park, located in South Dakota, is the place where mixed-grass prairies and windy underground caves meet. The first recorded discovery of Wind Cave was in 1881 when Jesse and Tom Bingham heard a loud sound of rushing air. Following the whistling noise created by the air across the open plains, they discovered the entrance to an underground cave in some limestone under a bush. The 10-inch by 16-inch oval-shaped hole blasted the Binghams with a rush of cold air giving the cave the name it has today.

Wind Cave is recognized as the densest cave system in the world and is also one of the longest, containing over 149 miles of explored passageways. Inside the cave, boxwork, popcorn, snowball, and frostwork formations are a few of the speleothems that decorate the surrounding surfaces. Guided tours, when available, are the only way to go inside the cave and see the beautiful chambers and formations that this National Park is famous for. Tours are on a first come first serve basis and require tickets be purchased for a fee.

Above ground, explore over 30 miles of hiking trails through mixed-grass prairie and ponderosa pine forest while keeping a sharp eye out for the bison, elk, mountain lions, or other animals that roam throughout the park. If you love wildlife photography, you’ll have plenty of opportunities here. Take advantage of the many trails within the park to see some pretty incredible animals! Be sure to visit the park website for current closures and conditions.

Map of Wind Cave National Park:

Top Photography Locations and Sights at Wind Cave National Park:

As photographers, we know that many of you will only have one chance in a lifetime to visit the National Parks. To make your life easier, we have compiled a list of our top photography locations and sights at Wind Cave National Park! While this is not comprehensive, and there are many more amazing sights to see, it should give you a good feel for the park.

Beaver Creek Bridge
Beaver Creek Bridge
Boland Ridge
Boland Ridge
Centennial Prairie Overlook
Centennial Prairie Overlook
Cold Brook Canyon Trail
Cold Brook Canyon Trail
East Bison Flats
East Bison Flats
Elk Mountain Trail
Elk Mountain Trail
Gobbler Pass
Gobbler Pass
Highland Creek
Highland Creek
Lookout Point Trail
Lookout Point Trail
Lookout Tower
Lookout Tower
Open Plains
Open Plains
Prairie Vista Trail
Prairie Vista Trail
Rankin Ridge Fire Tower
Rankin Ridge Fire Tower
Rankin Ridge Overlook
Rankin Ridge Overlook
Sanctuary
Sanctuary
Wind Cave Canyon
Wind Cave Canyon
Wind Cave Tour
Wind Cave Tour

Wind Cave National Park Wildlife Photography:

Wind Cave National Park is filled with wildlife and biodiversity. If you like wildlife photography, you will love what this park has to offer!

Antelope
Antelope
Coyote
Coyote
Prairie Dogs
Prairie Dogs
Sturdy Bison
Sturdy Bison
Western Meadowlark Bird
Western Meadowlark Bird
Wild Turkey
Wild Turkey

Want to learn more about Wind Cave National Park? Check out these maps, guides & books:

  • Black Hills National Forest [Map Pack Bundle] (National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map)
  • Wind Cave National Park Map & Illustrated Trails: Guide to Hiking and Exploring Wind Cave National Park
  • Wind Cave National Park: The First 100 Years (SD) (Images of America)
  • Badlands Theodore Roosevelt and Wind Cave National Parks: Wildlife Watcher’s Guide

Please note, by making purchases through our affiliate links, you are supporting our mission to celebrate and showcase our National Parks and the photographers who frequent them. As an Amazon Associate, National Park Photographer earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. We appreciate your support.

Featured National Park Photographers:

  • iStock / Becca in Colorado: East Bison Flats
  • iStock / Bo Shen: Prairie Vista Trail
  • Shutterstock / Cheri Alguire: Western Meadowlark Bird, Wild Turkey
  • Shutterstock / Jim Schwabel: Prairie Dogs
  • Shutterstock / Kelly vanDellen: Boland Ridge, Rankin Ridge Overlook, Wind Cave Canyon
  • Shutterstock / Mahmoud Ghazal: Wind Cave Tour
  • Shutterstock / Rachael Martin: Rankin Ridge Fire Tower
  • Shutterstock / Randy Runtsch: Coyote, Sturdy Bison
  • Shutterstock / SamanthaZurbick: Open Plains
  • Shutterstock / Tami Freed: Beaver Creek Bridge
  • Shutterstock / Xiaoling Keller: Antelope

Want to visit more parks? Check out our complete list of the US National Parks!


Do you want to be featured on National Park Photographer?

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