The Wind Cave National Park consists of about sixteen square miles of
pine-covered hills in the southwestern corner of South Dakota. It is
about twelve miles north of the town of Hot Springs and about the same
distance southeast of Custer. The altitude is between four thousand
and five thousand feet. It was created in 1903. The scenery is typical
of the picturesque Black Hills region, which the Indians especially
loved.
The Park's special attraction is a large natural cavern. This has
recesses said to have been traced for ninety-six miles, but never
thoroughly explored. Its name is due to the strong air-currents
noticeable at the entrance, which sometimes blow one way and sometimes
another. Bridges, stairways, landings, and paths through the cave's
mysterious passageways permit visitors to reach its natural splendors,
which are seen by the light of burning candles or magnesium ribbon.
The cave was discovered in 1881. Its temperature varies only between
forty and forty-seven degrees the year round. Some of its known
passages are almost five hundred feet below the surface of the earth,
and wind over, under, and around one another. The formations are
mostly of limestone. Among the features of this interesting
underground world are a spring and a miniature lake, beautiful calcite
crystals, exposed geodes, boxwork forms, and other attractive natural
formations.
The Park is the permanent home of a herd of buffaloes, presented to
the Government by the American Bison Society. Herds of elk and
antelope are also found in an inclosed section. Many white-tailed deer
running wild in the region annually seek shelter within the Park from
the attacks of hunters. Grouse and quail are increasing in numbers
under National-Park protection.