Wind Cave National Park

Wind Cave is the third-longest cave in the United States and the sixth-longest in the world. Cave tours are offered year-round. Reservations can be made anywhere from 2 to 120 days before the tour at www.recreation.gov. Same-day tickets are available at the visitor center. Arrive early; there are often more than 100 people in line waiting to buy tickets when the visitor center opens at 8 a.m.

The park also has a large surface area and is home to bison, prairie dogs, antelope, elk, coyote, mule deer, and white-tailed deer. This is a fantastic park for morning hikes, wildlife photography, or camping at the Elk Mountain Campground. There are over thirty miles of hiking trails that meander through the open prairie and ponderosa pine forests. Bison are roaming, coyotes are on the prowl, and prairie dog towns are full of pups tussling. Wind Cave is a gem for wildlife viewing!