Places

part of a stone building with a brown wood overhang, a block in the corner of the wall is dated 1938
The elevator building was finished in 1938 by the CCC and is part of the Historic District.

NPS Photo / Abby Rimstidt

Wind Cave National Park was established on January 9, 1903, making it one of the nation's oldest national parks. Wind Cave National Park is also the first national park in the world to protect a cave.

People have lived in the area long before the park was established, and these significant places, both above and below ground are protected as part of the national park. Learn more about the places in Wind Cave and the history behind them.

 
  • several old wood buildings in a green grassy valley next to a small stream with a few trees

    Sanson Ranch

    Learn about the historic Sanson Homestead, part of Wind Cave's newest land addition.

  • a short reddish stone cliff above a grassy meadow

    Buffalo Jump

    Before the introduction of the horse, the native people of the Great Plains used buffalo jumps as an efficient way to hunt bison.

  • a large yellow building with brown trim and a brown roof with a park sign and flag in front of it

    Historic District

    Many structures in the park are historically significant and recognized as fine examples of National Park Service architecture.

  • a man in caving gear crouching in a low cave passage next to a shallow clear pool of water

    Wind Cave Room Names

    The names of rooms in Wind Cave were given by the cave explorers who surveyed these places.

Last updated: October 15, 2020

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

26611 US Highway 385
Hot Springs, SD 57747

Phone:

605 745-4600

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