Park Hours (Today)
All Day
Wind Cave Visitor Center: 8:00AM - 6:00PM
Miza AI
Plan your Wind Cave trip
About the Park
Wind Cave National Park protects two very different worlds - one deep within the earth, the other a sunlit world of many resources. Bison, elk, and other wildlife roam the rolling prairie grasslands and forested hillsides of one of America's oldest national parks. Below the remnant island of intact prairie sits Wind Cave, one of the longest and most complex caves in the world.
Ready to explore Wind Cave National Park?
Take the stress out of planning. Our AI will automatically sequence your stops, find the best hotels, and optimize your driving time in seconds.
What to See & Do
Wind Cave Geology Driving Tour
The geology driving tour is a great way to see the park while learning about the rich geologic history of the Black Hills. On this 20 mile long tour, you will travel back in time and view Wind Cave's rock record to get a glimpse into its past.
Picnic at Wind Cave
Looking for a quiet place to enjoy a picnic? Whether you're looking for a good picnic spot or just a place to eat lunch while waiting for a tour, the picnic area is open year-round from sunrise to sunset.
Watch Wind Cave Wildlife
View some of North America's most iconic wildlife while enjoying Black Hills scenery. Wind Cave's combination of prairie and forest ecosystems allows visitors to view a number of animals in their natural environment.
Visit Wind Cave's Natural Entrance
You can still see the largest natural opening into Wind Cave without going on a tour. This small hole is one of the only known natural entrances into the cave. Lakota oral tradition speaks of how the first bison and humans emerged from this deeply spiritual place.
Take a Cave Tour
Visit one of the world's longest and most complex caves.
See Prairie Dogs in Their Prairie Dog Towns
Information about the Prairie Dog of Wind Cave National Park.
Self-Guided Tours
Rankin Ridge Nature Trail
The Rankin Ridge trail takes you through a ponderosa pine forest. At several points along the trail you may view the peaks of the Black Hills to the west, and the plains to the east. Rankin Ridge trail is a loop trail, beginning and ending at the parking lot. There are 14 interpretive stops placed at irregular intervals along the path. Your guided tour ends a short distance beyond the fire tower. From the last stop to the parking lot is about a 15 minute walk.
Geology Driving Tour - Self-Guided
The geology driving tour is a great way to see the park while learning about the rich geologic history of the Black Hills. On this 20 mile long tour, you will travel back in time and view Wind Cave's rock record to get a glimpse into its past.
Elk Mountain Nature Trail
This trail encompasses a blend of prairie, forest and riparian areas which together create the beauty of Wind Cave National Park. While hiking the trail and visiting the nine interpretive stops, you will become more familiar with these areas, how they were shaped and how they interact. A fence keeps the bison out of the area, but an occasional prairie rattlesnake may be seen. Pets are permitted on this trail but must be on a leash.
Visitor Centers
Wind Cave Visitor Center
The visitor center is open daily except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Days. All cave tours are ranger-led and leave from the visitor center.
Where to Stay
Elk Mountain Campground
This 64-site campground is open year round. Sites can be reserved at www.recreation.gov. Two sites are handicap-accessible. Flush toilets and drinking water are available late May through September. Fees are half-price when water is not available. Payment is by credit or debit card only. Two group campsites are also available through www.recreation.gov.
Getting Here & Transit
How to Get Here
Wind Cave National Park is located in South Dakota about 11 miles north of Hot Springs, or about 22 miles south of Custer, on US Highway 385. The park Visitor Center, where all cave tours begin, is approximately 1/2 mile west of the highway.
Park Amenities
Permits & Reservations
Permits may be required
Some activities in Wind Cave National Park — including backcountry camping, certain trails, and climbing routes — require advance permits. Check the official NPS website for current requirements before your visit.
Operating Hours
Wind Cave National Park
The park is open all day, every day. Snow or severe weather can limit access to some areas of the park, especially in winter. Visitor Center hours and cave tour schedules vary throughout the year. Visit the park website or call 605.745.4600 for current conditions.
- MondayAll Day
- TuesdayAll Day
- WednesdayAll Day
- ThursdayAll Day
- FridayAll Day
- SaturdayAll Day
- SundayAll Day
Photos
a bison cow and calf on the prairie
criss-cross-patterned calcite fins of the cave feature boxwork
rolling hills of forest and prairie landscape
a caver with pads and helmet crawling in the cave
When to Go
Crowd CalendarPlan your trip around peak seasons to avoid crowds or embrace the energy of the busy months. Our crowd predictions are based on historical NPS Visitor Use Statistics.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Build your Wind Cave itinerary
Tell Miza your dates, pace, and interests—get a day-by-day plan with hikes, drives, and must-see stops.
Best Time
May-September
Trip Length
2-4 days
Searching for the best hotel deals near Wind Cave National Park...
Planning Wind Cave
These common questions go deeper into logistics and planning. For real-time updates on road closures and current conditions, always check the Alerts section above.