Not Many People Realize That South Dakota Is Home To One Of The Country’s Oldest National Parks

By now, you know that there are a few national parks to visit in South Dakota. But did you know that we are also home to one of the OLDEST national parks in America? Can you guess which park is the oldest? Make your guess now and read on as we discover this terrific destination:

Nestled 10 miles away from the town of Hot Springs, Wind Cave National Park is a 33,847-acre paradise that is home to some of the best all-natural wonders in South Dakota!

Established in 1903 by President Theodore Roosevelt, Wind Cave National Park is America's seventh designated park (behind the likes of Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Mount Rainier) that is rich in Native American history...

Though the area was not discovered/documented by white settlers until the early 1800s, it is believed that the native Lakota were once residents of the Park.

... wildlife ...

Bison, elk, prairie dogs, and antelope? The gang is all here at Wind Cave!

...and the pièce de résistance: its namesake Wind Cave.

Located below the never-ending prairie, Wind Cave is the 6th-longest cave in the world (at 140 miles) and is home to a whopping 95 percent of the world's discovered boxwork formations!

What is a boxwork formation? It's a type of rare mineral structure that is made up of thin blades of calcite, which results in the pictured honeycomb-looking pattern.

In addition to being one of the world's largest, Wind Cave is also the densest cave in the world, often being referred to as a 3-D maze cave.

Reservations to tour the famed Wind Cave (which vary from Historic Candlelight Tours to regular walk-throughs) can be made by calling the National Park Service at 605-745-4600.

So, what are your favorite national parks to visit in South Dakota? Tell us in the comments below.

And while visiting the area, make sure to also check out the seven best hikes in South Dakota’s Wind Cave National Park.