CuteCamper
Wind Cave National Park
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. Named for barometric winds at its entrance, this maze of passages is home to boxwork, a unique formation rarely found elsewhere.
RecAreaDirections
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.
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Permits info
Facilities
Wind Cave National Park Tours Ticket Facility
Welcome to Wind Cave National Park, home to the world’s 7th longest cave and one of the world’s most complex maze-cave systems. Most cave rooms are small, connected by narrow passages with low ceilings. Boxwork, a rare and delicate cave formation, emerges from the cave walls and ceilings throughout. Guided tours are the only way to experience Wind Cave. Advance tickets may be purchased through this website. Same-day tickets are also available the day of the tour at the park visitor center. Tours often sell out prior to tour times. See Seasons & Booking for details. The park’s surface is home to and one of the last remaining islands of mixed-grass prairie in North America. Rare wildlife including bison, elk, pronghorn antelope, and prairie dogs roam over 30,000 acres. Several roads and 30 miles of trails are available to explore the rolling prairie and ponderosa pine forests. There is no fee to enter the park or hike the trails.
Elk Mountain Campground Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
- Elk Mountain Campground, which straddles the edge of a ponderosa pine forest and open prairie, offers unique opportunities to view the diverse flora and fauna of the southern Black Hills. These campsites are available in both forested and open environments.
- This is a cashless campground, only credit cards will be accepted through rec.gov in the summer and through credit card slips in the winter.
- We hope you enjoy the reservation process and thank you for considering camping at Wind Cave National Park.
Elk Mountain Campground Permit Regulations:
- In the peak season (summer), all sites are available. You may book sites in advance or use same-day booking. However, you must reserve and pay for your site on rec.gov before occupying it.
- In the off-season( (winter), only B loop sites will be open. Visitors must: Obtain a campsite envelope from the fee kiosk, select a vacant campsite in B Loop, complete envelope information, detach camping permit stub and clip onto campsite number post, enclose credit card payment slip in envelope, seal, and drop into depository (iron ranger).
Facilities
This 63-site campground is open all year with sites available on a reservation basis from May 20th to September 30th. In the off-season, only B-loop is available. Sites 17 and 49 are handicap-accessible. Flush toilets and drinking water are available from late spring through early fall. Fees are half-price when water is not available. Ranger programs are offered most nights in the amphitheater during the summer. Two group campsites are able to be reserved 10 months out.
contact_info
This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (605) 745-4600.Wind Cave Visitor Center Facility
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.
