If you find yourself in South Dakota during the long Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday weekend, swing by Wind Cave National Park to take one of the free cave tours being offered then.
The tours will be offered at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. on January 14, 15, and 16. Visitors will walk along the Garden of Eden Tour route and view boxwork formations for which the cave is famous. This 1/4-mile tour is moderately strenuous with approximately 150 steps and lasts one hour.
“This is an excellent opportunity to visit Wind Cave without the summer crowds,” said park Superintendent Vidal Davila. “The cave temperature is 53 degrees year around. Bring a light coat or sweater and some sturdy walking shoes to experience one of the world’s longest caves.”
Tickets are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. All tours begin at the visitor center located ½-mile off US Highway 385.
For more information, contact Wind Cave National Park at 605-745-4600.
Comments
Interesting to see here, and on the Mesa Verde post, the idea of "Hoping to boost visitation during the slow winter months . . ." and therefore the offer of discounts or freebies. I guess I never thought of site visitation being that important to park management; just the opposite, perhaps - less people; less wear, tear, and stress. Then again, there is a prestige factor, I suppose, and maybe some competition for limited NPS resources based on visitation numbers?