News Release

Celebrate the season with Wind Cave’s holiday open house and annual bird count

Wind Cave’s annual Christmas Bird Count is Sunday, December 15.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: December 4, 2024

Contact: Tom Farrell, 605-745-4600

HOT SRINGS, S.D. – Holiday events this year at Wind Cave National Park begin Sunday, December 15, with the park’s annual Christmas Bird Count, followed by a holiday open house on Tuesday, December 17. 

The bird count begins at 7:30 a.m. in front of the visitor center. Staff will distribute hiking and driving routes and datasheet packets. Participants are encouraged to bring a lunch, warm clothes, and if you have them, binoculars, field guides, and spotting scopes.

The count ends at 2:30 p.m., but it is not required to attend the whole day. Smaller hiking and driving units are available. If you plan to attend, have questions, or would like to request specific units, please contact Noah Robison at [phone] or via email at e-mail us.

The count is patterned after the nationwide National Audubon Society effort to document trends in wintering birdlife throughout the United States. The count will cover all of Wind Cave National Park and areas of the Black Hills National Forest and Custer State Park. Information from the count will be provided to the South Dakota Ornithological Union.

Festivities move inside on Tuesday, December 17, when the park hosts its annual holiday open house. It will run from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the visitor center. Light refreshments will be served, and students from the Hot Springs’ third grade will present their Christmas program at 1:15 p.m.

During the open house, the public will have the opportunity to view new park exhibits and browse through the park store operated by the Black Hills Parks and Forests Association.

The visitor center will close on Christmas and New Year’s Day to allow staff to celebrate the holidays with their families. Throughout the remainder of the winter, the visitor center will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.