Cave tours have resumed at Wind Cave National Park/NPS file

Temporary repairs have enabled cave tours at Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota to resume ahead of the upcoming three-day weekend, which will culminate in the park’s Native Americans’ Day celebration Monday, October 9. However, the cave's entire elevator system is scheduled to be replaced next year and will lead to additional tour impacts.

"We are very happy to offer cave tours again and look forward to hosting people this Monday who want to see the cave and experience some of the art and living culture of our Native American communities,” said Superintendent Leigh Welling. 

Native Americans’ Day events kick off in the Visitors Center Auditorium at 9 a.m. local time on October 9th with a welcome from Superintendent Welling, followed by remarks from National Park Service Native American Affairs Liaison, Dorothy FireCloud.

Others on the morning schedule include metalsmith Jhon Goes in Center, and award-winning fashion designer Tosa Two Heart. The dedication of the sculpture “Cȟaŋgléška-Wakȟaŋ”, or “Sacred Hoop,” will occur in the lobby at 11:30 a.m. with artist Kelly Looking Horse.

Activities move outside at 1:30 p.m. with world-renowned hoop dancers Starr Chief Eagle and Jasmine Bell. At 3:30 p.m. Emmy Her Many Horses, a Sicangu Lakota author, musician, and actress will conclude activities with a presentation entitled “Classical, Traditional, Ancestral: What Makes it Native?”

The winter cave tour schedule begins Sunday, October 15, with tours of the Garden of Eden at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. This is an hour-long tour with 150 stairs on it. There will be a 90-minute Fairgrounds Tour at 1 p.m. with 450 stairs on it.

The cave temperature is 54 degrees year-around and a light coat or sweater is recommended along with good walking shoes.

To provide more reliable service, the entire elevator system is being replaced and modernized in 2024. Information about closures and tour impacts will be provided as the construction schedule is determined.