Wind Cave National Park
One of the world's longest and most complex caves, beneath a stretch of mixed-grass prairie with free-ranging bison.
Wind Cave protects two quite different things. Below ground is one of the longest caves known, notable for boxwork — a delicate honeycomb of calcite fins found here in greater quantity than anywhere else on Earth.
Above it is one of the few remaining stretches of mixed-grass prairie, with bison, elk and prairie dogs. Plenty of visitors come for the cave and find the surface just as memorable.
The cave is seen on ranger-led tours only, and they vary in length and difficulty. The cave takes its name from the air that moves through the entrance as pressure changes, sometimes strongly enough to hear.
What is the best national park for spelunking?
The best spelunking is in a national park that is home to a variety of caves. There are many different types of caves to explore, and each one has its own unique features.
The best spelunking is in a national park that is home to a variety of caves. There are many different types of caves to explore, and each one has its own unique features.
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