Cave Restoration Camp 2007 - Public Domain image, National Parks Galle...
Cave Restoration Camp 2007 Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Cave Restoration Camp 2007 - Public Domain image, National Parks Galle...
Cave Restoration Camp 2007 Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
early entrance into Wind Cave - Public Domain image, National Parks Ga...
early entrance into Wind Cave Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Stagecoach in front of Hot Springs Hotel
The Wind Cave stagecoach made regular trips to carry visitors from Hot Springs to the cave.
Alvin McDonald - Wind Cave national park
A portrait of Wind Cave's first major explorer, Alvin McDonald.
Early tour of Wind Cave - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Early tour of Wind Cave Public domain photograph of 19th-century group portrait, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
American bison in the snow, Wind Cave National Park, 2014.
American bison (Bison bison) are also sometimes called American buffalo. These large animals once roamed North American grasslands in massive herds. Probably not surprisingly, they nearly went extinct due to co... More
Boxwork in the Elk's Room - Public Domain image, National Parks Galler...
The boxwork on the ceiling of the Elk's Room is a popular photography subject and has been featured on many postcards and other souvenirs.
Bishop Fowler Loop - National Parks Gallery
The name "Bishop Fowler" is written into the soft limestone above the passage that goes into this route through the cave. Bishop Fowler was a prominent figure in the Methodist Church. He helped establish the Bl... More
National parks: Fairgrounds - public domain image
The Fairgrounds was first entered by George A. Stabler, Alvin McDonald, Elmer McDonald, and J.D. McDonald on March 20, 1892. This room was the largest discovered in Wind Cave until the Club Room was found in 1... More
Alvin McDonald, Paul Alexander Johnstone, and John Moore
Professor Johnstone was famous at the time for his "psychic" powers and was challenged to find a lady's hat pin hidden while blindfolded in Wind Cave in 1893. Moore was a newspaper writer for Deadwood's Daily T... More
Group in Wind Cave in Model Room
Group in Wind Cave in Model Room after cave survey of 1902
Group in Wind Cave in Model Room
Group in Wind Cave in Model Room after 1902 survey
Bison - National Parks Gallery - Public domain zoological illustration
Bison are the largest and most prolific mammal species found in Wind Cave National Park. Reintroduced to the park in 1913, this bison herd is one of the most genetically diverse herds in existence. Wind Cave's ... More
Newborn elk fawn waits for the return of its mother, Wind Cave Nationa...
Elk calves, especially newborns, do their best to stay hidden and undetected by predators until mother returns for the next feeding. IMPORTANT: if you see a fawn anywhere, LEAVE IT ALONE. They are NOT abandoned... More
Mountain Mahogany - Wind Cave national park
Cercocarpus mountanus - native; Alternate names: Alder-leaf mountain mahogany, true mountain mahogany
Prairie Rattlesnake with Visible Rattle
Prairie rattlesnakes are common in the park in rocky areas and around prairie dog towns. You may also see them on roads after sunset enjoying the warm pavement. They are the only venomous snake in South Dakota.... More
Getting Directions - Wind Cave national park
Although bison are not known known for their ability to read, it never hurts to look at a map. These majestic animals may be encountered on park trails at any time, but are unpredictable and dangerous. Visitors... More
Bur Oak - Wind Cave national park
Quercus macrocarpa - native; Alternate names: Burr oak, mossycup oak; One of the few deciduous trees found in the park. The acorns have a hairy fringe around the edge.
Ferret Closeup - Wind Cave national park
Black-footed ferrets have a darker mask than domestic ferrets, but range from light tan to brown with black legs.
American Elm - Wind Cave national park
Alternate names: White elm, water elm, common elm; Blooms February - April; A common deciduous tree in the park usually found near shady seasonal creek beds and ravines.
American Elm Saplings - National Parks Gallery
Ulmus americana - native; Alternate names: White elm, water elm, common elm; Blooms February - April; A common deciduous tree in the park usually found near shady seasonal creek beds and ravines.
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Fires and Firefighting. Fire at Wind Cave National Park.
Getting Directions - Wind Cave national park
Although bison are not known for their ability to read, it never hurts to look at a map. These majestic animals may be encountered on park trails at any time and are unpredictable and dangerous. Visitors must g... More
Poison Ivy - Wind Cave national park
Toxicodendron radicans - native; Blooms April - June; A common shrub throughout the park. The plant always has three leaves that are usually shiny and normally grows in patches. In the fall, the leaves turn bri... More
Male Black-backed Woodpecker - Public Domain image, National Parks Gal...
The black-backed woodpecker is a rare sight east of the Rocky Mountains, though their range extends across southern Canada as well. The Black Hills are the easternmost part of their range in the United States.
Prickly Rose- free images of flowers
Rosa acicularis - native; Alternate names: Bristly rose, prickly wild rose; Blooms June - July; Flowers range from almost white to bright pink. Stems have thorns unlike meadow rose.
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Man sitting inside of a cave in Wind Cave National Park.
Wind Cave National Park - Homestead National Monument of America
“I have spent several vacations in the Wind Cave Park area. On a visit to the park, I remember being in awe of the cave formations and the beautiful designs they created. I was challenged to create a quilt th... More
Mountain Ninebark- free images of flowers
Physocarpus monogynus - native; Alternate names: Ninebark, low ninebark; Blooms June - July; More info:
Green Ash - Wind Cave national park
Fraxinus pennsylvanica - native; Alternate names: Red ash, swamp ash, river ash, water ash; Blooms April - June; Mature trees have clusters of long winged seeds or samaras. These trees are rare in Wind Cave and... More
Wild Plum- free images of flowers
Prunus americana - native; Alternate names: American plum; Bloom season: April - May; The tart fruits become ripe in July and August. Once the pit is removed, the fruit can be eaten raw and has been used by nat... More
Wind Cave Headquarters Area - Public Domain image, National Parks Gall...
A 1920s-era photo of the headquarters area of Wind Cave National Park.
Wildlife Ranger Estes Suter with Bison Herd
Wildlife Ranger Estes Suter inspects the park's bison herd. Public domain photograph of a car, automobile, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Beaver Creek Bridge in Winter - Public Domain image, National Parks Ga...
This concrete bridge was built in 1929 and is one of two bridges in the park. It spans Beaver Creek on the way north to Custer State Park. Only one-way traffic is allowed on the bridge.
Beaver Creek Bridge with Bison - Public Domain image, National Parks G...
This concrete bridge was built in 1929 and is one of two bridges in the park. It spans Beaver Creek on the way north to Custer State Park. Only one-way traffic is allowed on the bridge.
Tourist Attraction - Beaver Creek Bridge
This concrete bridge was built in 1929 and is one of two bridges in the park. It spans Beaver Creek on the way north to Custer State Park. Only one-way traffic is allowed on the bridge.
Beaver Creek Bridge - National Parks Gallery
This concrete bridge was built in 1929 and spans Beaver Creek on the way north to Custer State Park. The bridge is narrow and only allows for one-way traffic.
Beaver Creek Bridge - National Parks Gallery
This concrete bridge was built in 1929 and is one of two bridges in the park. It spans Beaver Creek on the way north to Custer State Park. Only one-way traffic is allowed on the bridge.
Visitor Center from Prairie Vista Trail
The visitor center was built in 1936 by the CCC and is where all cave tours start and end. The Prairie Vista Trail is a 1 mile trail that takes you to the top of the hill behind the visitor center.
Cave Entrance February 1938 - Public Domain image, National Parks Gall...
Cave Entrance February 1938 Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Garden Gate - National Parks Gallery
This climb was first negociated by Dave Schnute, and Herb and Jan Conn on October 19, 1964. It is a climb that requires the caver to climb up one side and then immediately to climb down the other side. Named b... More
Windy City Lake - National Parks Gallery
Originally discovered by Chris Hill on August 1, 1970, and named after the Windy City Grotto. Windy City Lake is the largest body of water yet discovered in Wind Cave. In 1999, the water table in this area rose... More
Figure Eight Room - National Parks Gallery
The Figure 8 Room was discovered by Andy Flurkey, Chris Hill, and Bob Reinstatler on August 1, 1971. The outline of this major intersection in Half-Mile Hall resembles a large "8", giving the room its name. Th... More
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Fires and Firefighting. NPS employees spraying the ground in Wind Cave National Park.
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Fires and Firefighting. Wind Cave National Park after a fire.
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Fires and Firefighting. Fire at Wind Cave National Park.
Cold Bison on Highland Creek - Public Domain image, National Parks Gal...
Bison may be encountered on any of the park's hiking trails except for the Prairie Vista Trail and Elk Mountain Campground Trail.
Black Footed Ferret 02 - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Black Footed Ferret Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Panorama 001 - Wind Cave national park
Prairie panoramic scene with twilight lighting
Vega Lake - Wind Cave national park
The Vega area is a good sized room with nice calcite rafts at the end of Perverted Alley. This room is located under Highway 385. This area was discovered by Stan Allison, Harry Burgess, Paul Burger, and Dave ... More
Panorama 003 - Wind Cave national park
Prairie panoramic scene with daylight and prominent rocks
Panorama 002 - Wind Cave national park
Prairie panoramic scene with daylight Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Bull Elk in the Sun - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Elk are most active at dusk and dawn and bed down during the middle of the day.
Dogtooth Spar - Wind Cave national park
Vugs are common along tour routes and other places where chunks of rock have been broken or fallen off the wall. Vugs are very similar to geodes and are usually lined with calcite crystals. Because of the cryst... More
Best Friends - Wind Cave national park
Calves begin to turn brown when they are about two months old. The calf on the left is at least a month older than the calf on the right.
Bullsnake Closeup - free images of reptiles
Bullsnakes are the most commonly seen species of snake in the park. They are often mistaken for rattlesnakes because of their similar color pattern. They do not have a rattle on the end of their tail and have a... More
Large Wildlife on Road - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Bison can create "bison jams" by stopping traffic as they cross or stand in the road. Plan for delays due to wildlife when visiting or traveling through the park.
Tiger Salamander in the Walk-in Entrance
On rare occasion, salamanders may be seen inside the cave's natural entrance or walk-in entrance. They are drawn to the cave's high humidity and darkness, but because of light from tour routes and human presenc... More
Frostwork Growing on Cave Popcorn
Frostwork and cave popcorn are made of very similar minerals; aragonite and calcite. Both are calcium based. It's very common to see cave popcorn and frostwork growing in the same area.
Bobcat on Patrol - National Parks Gallery
The bobcat is found across the country, but shy and difficult to see. They are opportunistic hunters and hunt prairie dogs among other small animals.
Littleleaf Pussytoes- free images of flowers
Antennaria microphylla - native; Blooms April - July; More info: Public domain scan of drawing, botanical illustration, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Plains Wallflower- free images of flowers
Erysimum capitatum - native; Alternate names: Sand dune wallflower; Blooms April; More info:
Bush Morning Glory - Flowers from National Park Gallery
Ipomoea leptophylla - native; Alternate names: Bush moonflower, manroot; Blooms June - August; More info:
Crystalline Boxwork - Wind Cave national park
When viewed from the right angle in the right light, the calcite crystals that make up boxwork sparkle in the light.
Dotted Gayfeather- free images of flowers
Liatris punctata - native; Alternate names: Dotted blazingstar, narrow-leaved blazingstar; Blooms August - October; More info:
Yellow Sweet Clover - National Parks Gallery
Melilotus officinalis - invasive; Alternate names: Yellow melilot, common melilot; Blooms May - August; Named for the sweet smell it produces. Can decrease quality of rangeland and cause illness in livestock if... More
Golden Currant- free images of flowers
Ribes aureum - native; Alternate names: Buffalo currant, clove currant, Missouri currant; Blooms April - May; This plant is sometimes cultivated for its sweet berries. It's also called the clove currant because... More
Blanket Flower- free images of flowers
Gaillardia pulchella - native; Alternate names: Firewheel, Indian blanket, girasol rojo; Blooms May - August; This brightly colored flower is a relative of the sunflower. After blooming, it leaves behind a sphe... More
Snow-on-the-Mountain - Public domain botanical illustration
Euphorbia marginata - native; Alternate names: Smoke-on-the-prairie, variegated spurge, whitemargined spurge; Blooms July - October; More info:
National parks: Chokecherry - public domain image
Prunus virginiana - native; Alternate names: Bitter-berry, Virginia bird cherry, western chokecherry; Blooms April - July; Although the tart berries have a large pit, they are edible once they turn black. The b... More
Plains Milkweed- free images of flowers
Asclepias pumila - native; Blooms June - September; More info: Public domain photograph of a wildflower close up, nature, flowers, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Black-footed Ferret at Burrow - Public Domain image, National Parks Ga...
Black-footed ferrets were first reintroduced to Wind Cave in 2007.
Low Larkspur- free images of flowers
Delphinium bicolor - native; Alternate names: Little larkspur; Blooms May - July; More info:
Western Salsify- free images of flowers
Tragopogon dubuis - invasive; Alternate names: Goatsbeard, yellow salsify, wild oysterplant; Blooms May - July; Introduced from Europe. Commonly mistaken for large dandelions, they exhibit similar traits and bl... More
Meadow Rose- free images of flowers
Rosa blanda - native; Alternate names: Smooth rose, early wild rose; Blooms June - August; Flowers range from almost white to bright pink. Stems are smooth unlike prickly rose.
Death Camas- free images of flowers
Toxicoscordion venenosum - native; Alternate names: Zigadenus venenosus, meadow death camas; Blooms June - August; All parts are poisonous to humans and many animals hence its common name.
Black-footed Ferret Reintroduction
A park biologist releases a black-footed ferret into a prairie dog burrow. This was the first black-footed ferret reintroduced to Wind Cave National Park.
Pigtail Bridge - Wind Cave national park
The pigtail bridge on SD Hwy 87 is one of two bridges in the park. After crossing over part of the highway, the road turns sharply to pass underneath the bridge. Only one-way traffic is allowed on the bridge.
Tiger Salamander - Wind Cave national park
On rare occasion, salamanders may be found inside the cave's natural entrance or walk-in entrance. More often, they are found in prairie dog burrows. They are much more common in the park during wet summers.
Stiff Tickseed- free images of flowers
Coreopsis palmata - native; Alternate names: Stiff coreopsis, finger corepsis; Bloom season: July - August; More info:
Field Bindweed- free images of flowers
Convulvus arvensis - invasive; Alternate names: Lesser bindweed, European bindweed, withy wind, perennial morning glory, small-flowered morning glory, creeping jenny, possession vine; Blooms May - September; Th... More
Wild Licorice- free images of flowers
Glycyrrhiza lepidota - native; Alternate names: American licorice; Blooms June - July; After the flowers have bloomed, the fruit grows in clusters of spiky brown pods that resemble burs and are visible through ... More
Bushy-tailed Woodrat - National Parks Gallery
Woodrats or packrats are the most common animal seen in the cave. They use the cave as a shelter to build their nests and are able to find their way through the dark by following scent trails. Though they usual... More
Pale Evening-primrose - Flowers from National Park Gallery
Oenothera albicaulis - native; Alternate names: White-stem evening-primrose; Blooms April - July; More info:
Black-footed Ferret Going for a Stroll
Black-footed ferrets were first reintroduced to Wind Cave in 2007.
Release of the first black-footed ferret into Wind Cave National Park ...
Biological technician Barb Muenchau releases the first black-footed ferret out of its artificial burrow into Wind Cave National Park on July 4, 2007.
Yellow Evening Primrose - Flowers from National Park Gallery
Calylophus serrulatus - native; Alternate names: Yellow sundrops, plains evening primrose; Blooms April - July; More info:
Woolly Verbena- free images of flowers
Verbena stricta - native; Alternate names: Hoary verbena, hoary vervain, tall vervain; Blooms July - September; This hardy plant is native to much of North America and is very common in the park. It can be foun... More
Yellow Toadflax- free images of flowers
Linaria vulgaris - invasive; Alternate names: Butter-and-eggs, wild snapdragon, Jacob's ladder; Blooms June - October; Native to Siberia and Central Asia and introduced to North America by accident.
Bluestem Pricklypoppy- free images of flowers
Argemone polyanthemos - native; Alternate names: Pricklepoppy, white pricklypoppy, crested pricklypoppy, thistle poppy; Blooms April - October; More info:
Dame's Rocket- free images of flowers
Hesperis matronalis - invasive; Alternate names: Sweet rocket, damask-violet, mother-of-the-evening, gilliflower, summer lilac; Blooms May - August; More info:
Sagebrush Buttercup- free images of flowers
Ranunculus glaberrimus - native; Blooms March - June; More info: Public domain photograph of a wildflower close up, nature, flowers, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Spiny Phlox- free images of flowers
Phlox hoodii - native; Alternate names: Hood's phlox, carpet phlox Blooms April - May; More info:
Pigtail Bridge - Wind Cave national park
The pigtail bridge on SD Hwy 87 is one of two bridges in the park. After crossing over part of the highway, the road turns sharply to pass underneath the bridge. Only one-way traffic is allowed on the bridge.
National parks: Clammyweed - public domain image
Polanisia dodecandra - native; Alternate names: Redwhisker clammyweed; Blooms May - October; More info:
Evan's Plunge - Wind Cave national park
Discovered by Jim Pisarowicz and Bob Kobza on October 22, 1986, Evans Plunge is a small lake just beyond Lake Land and named after the explorers favorite haunt after a long caving trip (especially the hot tubs)... More
Badger and Young - National Parks Gallery
A badger and her kit stroll through the prairie. Badgers give birth to one to five young at a time.
Evans Plunge - Wind Cave national park
Evans Plunge Public domain photograph of quarry workers, mining, miners, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Dogtooth Spar next to the 89 Stairs
Vugs are common along tour routes and other places where chunks of rock have been broken or fallen off the wall. Vugs are very similar to geodes and are usually lined with calcite crystals. Because of the cryst... More