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Visiting Wonderland Cave: A Black Hills Hidden Gem

June 8, 2021

Wonderland Cave is a true Black Hills Hidden Gem and is absolutely worth a trip if you’re looking for things to do in the Black Hills or while visiting Deadwood or Sturgis. This 60-million-year-old cavern has a fascinating discovery story that dates back to the Civil War. You’ll see stalactites, stalagmites, helictites, and a wide variety of curious crystalline formations.

Where is Wonderland Cave Located in South Dakota?

Wonderland Cave is located in Nemo, South Dakota, just 45 minutes outside the historic city of Deadwood or Rapid City and 20 minutes from Sturgis. Depending on which way you go, you might end up on an unpaved road or two, but they’re nothing crazy and any standard sedan should be able to navigate them without any trouble.

Wonderland Cave Hours and Tours

May Hours 9am - 5pm

Summer Hours 9am - 6pm

Fall Hours (September and October) 9am - 5pm

Tours are every 30 minutes and last approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. No reservations needed or accepted.

Wonderland Cave Prices

$17 per adult (anyone over 13 years old)

$8.50 per child (ages 6-12)

Free for children 5 and under

what else should you know about visiting wonderland cave?

To visit Wonderland Cave, you’ll need to descend 127 steps and return up the same set of stairs. Unfortunately, there is no elevator or other accessibility entrance, so it’s important to know this in advance if that’s a concern. Otherwise, the tour guides are very good about reminding visitors to take their time and to go at your own pace.

How Many Caves Are In South Dakota?

If you love caves, there are several to add onto your South Dakota bucket list! The caves listed below are all located within the Black Hills.

Wind Cave National Park - Known for its curious boxwork formations that resemble honeycombs, Wind Cave is also one of the longest and most complex cave systems in the world.

Jewel Cave National Monument - Explore the third longest cave in the world with over 208 miles of known passages.

Rushmore Cave - A cave tour that’s part of Rush Mountain Adventure Park.

Black Hills Caverns - A former gold-seekers cavern now open to the public and still being actively explored.

Spearfish Community Caves - Bluff caves at the end of a 0.6-mile out and back trail in Spearfish Canyon

Photographs and text by Elaine Skylar Neal/Travels and Curiosities

More Cool Places to Visit in the Black Hills

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Image Credits:

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