Model Room

Overview

The Model Room—historically called Odd Fellows Hall—sits deep inside Wind Cave and earned its name from ceiling features that early guides thought resembled Odd Fellows symbols like the All‑Seeing Eye and Three Links. Stories from that era also mention a rock shaped like a goat and a breakdown block dubbed the “wreck of the Spanish warship Colon.” Accounts place the chamber roughly 350 feet below the entrance, nearly two miles from the start, in the cave’s “sixth tier.” Some features changed or were lost as trails were developed over time.

Can you see it today?

This is a historically named chamber, and not every historic stop is on today’s public routes. Tour offerings and paths vary by season and conditions, so check at the Visitor Center to see whether any current tour passes Odd Fellows Hall/Model Room.

What to expect underground

All access is on ranger‑led tours that begin at the Visitor Center. Tours commonly sell out in busy seasons; reservations are offered with limited same‑day sales, and payment is by card. Underground it’s around 54°F (12°C), lighting is dim, and there are many stairs—bring a light layer and shoes with good traction. There are no restrooms or water in the cave, and food, drinks (including water), and bags are not allowed on tours. Photography is generally allowed on standard tours, but not on Candlelight or Wild Cave tours.

Best time to visit

Book as early as you can. If you’re trying for same‑day tickets, arrive before opening. The Visitor Center tends to be busiest late morning through early afternoon; early‑morning or later‑afternoon tour times are usually calmer, especially midweek. In a cave, lighting is fixed, so timing matters more for crowds than for photography.

Why it’s interesting

The Model Room captures the late‑1800s/early‑1900s naming craze when guides gave fanciful titles to rooms and formations to spark imaginations and rival other famous caves. It’s a window into the park’s storytelling tradition and the scale of its multi‑level maze of passages.

Surface bonus

Before or after your tour, keep an eye out for prairie dogs and bison along park roads and near prairie pullouts—great viewing from a safe distance.