Long before European fur traders and eastern miners arrived, Lakota Sioux considered the area now known as Wind Cave National Park sacred. They spoke of a “hole that breathes cool air” and left tipi rings near the cave’s only natural entrance. Sioux legend describes this opening as the site where bison first emerged to roam the prairies. The reason the cave is so “windy” though is all about air pressure. Air flows into the abyss when pressure outside the cave is greater than pressure inside. However, when pressure is greater inside the cave, gusts of air blow out of its natural opening. The cave itself is unique because it doesn’t have the typical dripping water & limestone cave creations like stalagmites & stalactites – instead it features an unusual type of calcite crystal formation called boxwork, which creates a honeycomb appearance.

After much of the wildlife in the area was eliminated due to over hunting, today the park is home to one of four free-roaming, genetically pure bison herds on publicly owned lands. Pronghorn are seen in the prairies and elk can be heard bugling in the backcountry.