2017-01-14 04:37:21
MONUMENTAL WORKS OF MAN & NATURE Minuteman Missile National Historic Site Exploring hidden treasures at Jewel Cave National Monument, Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, and Wind Cave National Park. JEWEL CAVE NATIONAL MONUMENT With over 180 miles of explored passageways, Jewel Cave ranks as one of the longest caves in the world. Brilliant color and fragile rocks reveal an amazing ecosystem not visible anywhere else. Jewel Cave has much to offer to a wide range of those interested in its natural glory. Guided cave tours provide opportunities for viewing this pristine cave system filed with calcite crystals and other wonders such as stalactites, stalagmites, draperies, frostwork, boxwork, flowstone, and hydromagnesite balloons. MINUTEMAN MISSILE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE Get a first-hand look at once-classified nuclear missile sites now preserved as a national park. The visitor center, open 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily, is located off I-90 at Exit 131 and features exhibits about the Cold War era. Ranger-guided tours of the Delta-01 underground control center are by reservation only and limited to 6 people per tour. Reservations can be made by phone at 866-601-5129 or online at: http://go.nps.gov/delta-01tour. Visitors can also see a nuclear missile at the Delta-09 silo, located off I-90 at Exit 116, open daily from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. IND CAVE NATIONAL PARK Wind Cave has grown to be one of the world’s largest known caves and is known for its outstanding display of boxwork—an unusual cave formation composed of thin calcite fins resembling honeycombs. Along with this massive cave, Wind Cave also features 28,295 acres of mixed-grass prairie, Ponderosa pine forest and wildlife. The park’s mixed-grass prairie is one of the few remaining and is home to native wildlife such as bison, elk, pronghorn, mule deer, coyotes and prairie dogs.
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