South Dakota cave was world’s first under national park protection
On January 9, 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt signed legislation to create Wind Cave National Park between Hot Springs and Custer in southwestern South Dakota. It is an understatement to note that mid-winter is not the prime time to visit this area, but come summer this region offers a lot to see and do. The Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Badlands National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park, the Wounded Knee Museum, Mammoth Site and more.
Skywalk Lake in Wind Cave National Park, now celebrating its 110th year under National Park Service protection. Photo: National Park Service
Wind Cave National Park encompasses 10,522.17 acres, not just the remarkable cave itself — one of the world’s longest — but also 30 miles of hiking trails, camping, interpretive programs and prairieland. In the summer of 2003, Wind Cave celebrated its centennial and the return of the bison. I don’t know what, if anything, might be planned for this summer, but let’s just say that eve though underground temperatures are the same year-round, this national park’s actual 110th will be a quiet birthday.