South Dakota: Wind Cave & Badlands National Parks

 

 

In addition to going to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, we also went to two national parks: Wind Cave National Park and Badlands National Park. 

 

We took a tour of Wind Cave - a very complex maze cave that has never been completely explored.

 

It really surprised me that as cautious as Kane is, he absolutely LOVED the Wind Cave tour, and he and Kolton were interested in pursuing caving as a hobby.

 

"Wind Cave is the first cave where box work was ever found in the entire world." - Kane

"I liked the fact that it's unexplored and most of it is untouched." -Kolton

"It was cold." - Karson

 

Intricate "box work" mineral deposits present in Wind Cave.
 One of very few places in the world these can be found.

Kalista standing over the original opening to
Wind Cave, as the ranger gives her presentation.

The kids getting their Jr. Ranger badges



Rocks along the Needles Highway in Custer State Park

 

We took a drive on the Needles Highway and got to see the sharp rock formations that reach into the sky. We also took a hike into the Badlands that required us to climb a big laddler to reach the end. The view at the end of the hike was of where the prairie meets the Badlands called The Wall.

Crazy Horse monument, still under construction

 

 

 

 

The Wall where the prairie meets the Badlands