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Exploring the National Parks

139: Exploring Wind Cave National Park: Best Tips + Activities

Exploring the National Parks

Dirt In My Shoes

Science, Society & Culture:places & Travel, Nature, Places & Travel, Society & Culture

4.8653 Ratings

🗓️ 4 March 2026

⏱️ 47 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Wind Cave National Park is one of the most underrated stops in the Black Hills, and it is absolutely worth digging a little deeper for. Come with us into the prairies of South Dakota for rare cave beauty, bison sightings, and the kind of quiet that makes you exhale. In this episode, we cover: Why Wind Cave is so underrated, and why I recommend it even when people say Jewel Cave is “prettier” How to get cave tour tickets (and why you should not wait until the day of) Which three tours to choose from as a first time visitor, plus options for special tours What to expect on your tour (temperature, what you can and cannot bring, and tips if you have kids) Easy, high reward things to do above ground, including wildlife drives, a short scenic hike, and a quick trip to Hot Springs Your task for today: Have you been to Wind Cave National Park? Tell us what you loved, and share your best photos (because this park is famously hard to photograph!). Head over to our post on the @DirtInMyShoes Facebook or Instagram page and share with us! Don’t miss the full show notes packed with all the links we mentioned so you can plan your adventures like a pro: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/exploring-wind-cave-national-park-best-tips-activities/  Planning your own Wind Cave National Park adventure? Dirt in My Shoes South Dakota Itinerary: https://shop.dirtinmyshoes.com/products/south-dakota-itinerary  Dirt In My Shoes Wind Cave National Park Planning Resources: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/wind-cave-national-park/  Episode 29: The Black Hills (Wind Cave, Custer State Park, Wind Cave, and more!): https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/29-the-black-hills-wind-cave-custer-state-park-jewel-cave-and-more/  Master Reservation List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/list/ National Park Checklist: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-parks-checklist/  Trip Packing List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/pack/

Transcript

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0:00.0

Today we are heading to the depths of South Dakota.

0:04.1

Ooh.

0:04.6

And I'm really excited for this.

0:06.6

But first, the past few weeks have taught me something about myself that I don't think anyone else in the world knows about.

0:12.8

Do I know?

0:13.9

I don't think so.

0:15.1

Okay.

0:15.7

I'm excited.

0:16.4

Yeah.

0:16.8

Don't be that excited.

0:17.9

But I just thought it was funny.

0:18.9

I have a very unnatural hatred to book jackets.

0:27.0

Oh my gosh, book jackets.

0:29.1

Book jackets.

0:30.1

I cannot stand the things.

0:32.9

This is the Exploring the National Parks podcast with Dirt in My Shoes.

0:39.6

My name is Ash and I'm a former park ranger and the founder of Dirt in My Shoes. I think that the parks are best seen from the trail

0:44.8

and I'm here to make National Park Trip Planning easy. And I'm John. I carry the kids on the trails,

0:50.9

tell stories and notice all the things that Ash doesn't care about much,

0:55.6

like rocks.

1:00.9

Join us as we show you around America's spectacular national parks.

1:05.0

We're sharing our favorite places, fun facts, adventures, and misadventures.

...

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