Duration: 2 hours
Distance: 2/3 mile (1 kilometer)
Total stairs: 424
Difficulty: Strenuous; stairs and trail can be steep, slippery and dimly lit. Bending and stooping are required.
Description: Explore the unique geology and boxwork formations of the Blue Grotto route while learning about some of the colorful characters and events in Wind Cave’s past.
Experience the cave by candlelight the way the earliest explorers of Wind Cave saw it! This tour takes place in a less developed, unlit section of the cave. Each participant must carry a candle bucket while navigating paved and natural cave surfaces, some large steps, tight passages, slick footing, and numerous stairs. The tour is limited to 10 people and the minimum age is 8.
Wild Cave and Candlelight tour cannot be done on the same day.
Required
- Long pants to protect the cave resource and yourself. Leggings must fully cover the legs from the waist to the shoes. Pants must not have any holes in them.
- Sturdy, lace-up hiking boots or shoes (designed for trail) with aggressive tread are required. No slick-soled footwear is permitted. Tennis shoes, five-fingered toe shoes, sandals, cowboy boots, and climbing shoes of any kind are not allowed. You will not be allowed to participate in the tour if your are not wearing proper footwear.
- Clothing worn in Jewel Cave or any other cave is not permitted on this tour to prevent the spread of White-Nose Syndrome.
- For safety reasons, photography is not permitted on this tour and cameras and phones are not allowed.
