Wind Cave National Park, located in Hot Springs, South Dakota, is renowned for its intricate and extensive cave system, which is one of the longest and most complex in the world. The cave is famous for its unique boxwork formations, a rare and delicate lattice of calcite. Established in 1903, it is one of the oldest national parks in the United States and was the first cave to be designated as a national park. Above ground, the park features a rich mix of prairie and forest ecosystems, home to a variety of wildlife including bison, elk, and prairie dogs.
The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, South Dakota, USA, is a unique paleontological treasure where visitors can explore an active excavation site. Discovered in 1974 during a construction project, the site contains the remains of over 60 mammoths, including both woolly and Columbian species, dating back approximately 26,000 years. The site operates as both a museum and a research facility, offering guided tours, educational programs, and exhibits that showcase the prehistoric life and the ongoing scientific efforts to uncover and study the ancient bones.
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