Situated under the Black Hills are two massive caves, claiming to be the third and fourth largest caves in the world.
Jewel
Cave, at more than 145 miles long, and Wind Cave, at more than 130
miles long, are located less than 18 geographic miles apart, but are
completely different in size and structure.
Jewel Cave is about 7 square miles big and Wind Cave is 1 square mile.
Jewel
Cave is a National Monument, while Wind Cave is a National Park,
surrounded by 28000 acres of roaming buffalo, deer, birds, and antelope.
Jewel
Cave is mostly covered in popcorn and dogtooth spar formations, while
Wind Cave has 98% of the world’s Boxwork formation, an intricate pattern
that can often resemble spiderwebs. Both offer a variety of tours
ranging from introductory 20-minute tours that are easy on the knees, to
1 1/2 hour-long tours that take you up and down stairs and ramps, to
spelunking tours that require you to crawl on your hands and knees
through spaces no wider than a microwave.
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| Jewel Cave "Popcorn" Formations |
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| Jewel Cave "Dogtooth Spar" Formations |
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| Hiking the Trails of Wind Cave National Park |
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"Boxwork" Formation
© Cara Parker, 2009. Photos and text may not be reproduced without the written consent of Cara Parker. |
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