Est. 1903 | South Dakota | 33,970 acres

Home to more than 95% of the world’s known boxwork, a delicate and intriguing geological formation of the cave, Wind Cave National Park holds more secrets than just cave attractions. Two parks in one, Wind Cave hosts a labyrinth of underground passageways as well as a verdant prairie ecosystem above ground. With miles of uninterrupted forest and grassland, visitors who merely travel the tunnels below miss out on one of the most peaceful, serene environments the National Park System can boast.

One of the smallest parks by land, Wind Cave has 3 main entrances—north, west and south. The cave and most trails lie in the western half of the park with only a few backcountry trails serviced by dirt roads in the east. The entrance to the cave is on visitor center grounds in the southern portion of the park. The only way to enter the cave is on a guided cave tour. The visitor center offers 3 tours year round with 2 additional tours in the summer months. Trails up on the prairie offer ponderosa forests, wide grasslands, herds of bison, deer and elk and turkeys. Seasonal creeks and brooks babble along these hiking paths crafting the perfect space to slow down and enjoy Wind Cave National Park.

Park Highlights

1. Natural Entrance Tour—An excellent foray into the cave, the Natural Entrance Tour is a point to point path no more than a mile long. Guests visit the natural entrance giving the cave its name and venture about half a mile underground. Some of the best boxwork formations are seen on this tour. The route ends with an elevator ride back up to the visitor center.
2. Candlelight Tour—The Candlelight Tour visits another section of the cave as the early explores would have—by candle bucket. Learn about the colorful characters and rich history of Wind Cave on this rustic, rugged tour.
3. Rankin Ridge Trail—About 7 miles north of the visitor center is Rankin Ridge Trail, a 1 mile loop to Lookout Tower, the tallest point in the park. From Lookout Tower, sweeping views unfold showcasing the wide prairie lands of the park. Hike this trail in the late afternoon for a gorgeous sunset over the grasslands.
4. Lookout Point Trail—This trail gives visitors a taste of the rolling prairie. The moderate 2.2 mile path takes hikers out into the grassland where wildlife roams free. Combine this route with a portion of the Highland Creek Trail and the Centennial Trail for a 4.5 mile loop back to the trailhead.

Best time to visit Wind Cave

The weather above ground is generally dry and hot throughout the summer. Rain showers move across the prairie frequently in the spring. And snow can temporarily shut park roads in the winter. But because Wind Cave is underground, temperatures remain 54 degrees Fahrenheit all year long, making the cave enjoyable anytime. Summer is the busiest season though facilities are rarely crowded due to tour size limitations. In our estimation, June is the best time to visit. The prairie is lush and in bloom. Temperatures are not hot yet. And summer crowds have not reached their peak.

How long should I visit Wind Cave?

Wind Cave is best explored in 1–2 days. Tours last about 1–2 hours with the exception of the Wild Cave Tour lasting up to 4 hours. But even still, these tours can be combined with a hike above ground easily in a day or two. Make sure to include sunrise or sunset in your timing as the sea of grassland is most beautiful at golden hour.

Getting to Wind Cave

Wind Cave is located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, making it a popular destination paired with Custer State Park or Mount Rushmore. If traveling from these locations, simply drive south on Highway 87 until you reach the park. The nearest major airport is the Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) in Rapid City, South Dakota. From here, rent a car and drive 1 hour south on Highway 79. Traverse west on US-16, and finally north on Highway 385 to arrive at the park.

Where to stay in Wind Cave

Elk Mountain Campground is the park’s only overnight accommodation. Open year round, Elk Mountain only has 14 tent sites and 50 RV sites. While this campground is small, it does not reach capacity quickly. For more details about Elk Mountain Campground visit Recreation.gov. An array of other campgrounds, hotels and inns are located to the north in Custer State Park.

When should I book?

Though 500,000 visitors arrive at Wind Cave each year, lodging and tours are not in high demand until a couple weeks out. While many of the more famous parks require bookings 6 months in advance, Wind Cave is more laid back and flexible in last minute bookings. Airfare prices to Rapid City might be the biggest limiting factor and data shows they are cheapest 2-3 months in advance.

How much should I budget?

A frugal 2-day trip can range from $400–$600 when factoring in costs. Here is a breakdown of what to expect:

Roundtrip Airfare to Rapid City	$250–$300
Car Rental	$100–$150/day (not including taxes/fees)
Campsite	$12/night
Hotel Lodging	$100–$200/night
Restaurant Meals	$10–$20/meal
Cave Tours	$15–$17/adult

Packing list for Wind Cave

Each park requires different gear for its unique characteristics. For Wind Cave National Park we wouldn’t want to be caught without a closed-toed shoes, rain coat, sunscreen, sack lunches (to save money) and sunglasses.

Want to learn more? Check out our detailed trip report for a peek into Wind Cave.

For more detailed information on Wind Cave National Park, visit the official park website.