Trail Run Project Logo

Wind Cave National Park

loading
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

Overview

One of the United States' oldest national parks, Wind Cave National Park is home to a secret world hidden below its scenic prairie. Above ground, visitors can explore the many trails that wind through grasslands and forested rolling hills that are inhabited by elk, bison, and pronghorn. Beneath this prairie wonderland lies one of the largest and most complex cave systems in the world - Wind Cave. Native Americans and early European explorers were drawn to the cave by the whistling wind that can be heard at its entrance. Visitors will be amazed by the incredible formations found in Wind Cave, and will undoubtedly enjoy the beautiful landscape and rich history that Wind Cave National Park has to offer.

To learn more about Wind Cave National Park, visit www.nps.gov.

Local Info

Visitor Center:
Wind Cave Visitor Center is opened daily, year round except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. The visitor center is open from 8 am to 4:30 pm with expanded hours during the summer. All cave tours leave from the visitor center. For more information on visitor center amenities and current hours of operation, click here.

Visiting Tips

Wind Cave National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Roads within the park are generally open all year long, but winter conditions can affect road status. For up to date road conditions, call the Wind Cave Visitor Center at (605) 745-1134.

Summers in the park are typically hot and dry, although thunderstorms, some producing large hail, are common. The park receives most of its rain in the spring; fall is a bit drier with warm days and cool evenings. The temperature inside Wind Cave is consistently 54 degrees year-round, and visitors should plan accordingly if planning on taking a cave tour. Long waits for cave tours can be expected during the summer. Consider visiting the cave during the morning to avoid the longest lines. Weekends are great times to come to the park during the summer as Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the most crowded days.

Fees & Passes:
There is no entry fee for Wind Cave National Park. Tickets are required for cave tours and there is a fee for camping in the park. To learn more about park fees click here.

Camping & Lodging

Camping:
The Elk Mountain Campground is the only campground in Wind Cave National Park and is open year round. Campsites are available on a first come, first served basis but the campground does not usually fill up. Running water (including potable water) and flush toilets are available in the summer. For more information on camping in the park, click here.

Backcountry camping is allowed in the northwest area of the park. A free permit is required for all backcountry camping and can be obtained at the visitor center. Check out the park's website for more information.

Lodging:
There is no lodging offered within the park. A variety of lodging options are located in the nearby towns of Hot Springs and Custer.

Food & Drink

There are no dining options located within the park. Visitors looking for grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants will find plenty of options in the nearby towns of Hot Springs and Custer.

Other Activities

With over 30 miles of hiking trails to explore above ground, and plenty to see below the surface in Wind Cave, visitors will have plenty of ways to explore the park. Additionally, backcountry camping and horseback riding are two other popular activities within the park. For those looking to extend their exploration of the area outside of the park, there are several other noteworthy national park units and state parks located nearby; click here for more information on these nearby attractions. Other options include mountain biking up the road in Rapid City or rock climbing around the park.

Gems in Wind Cave National Park - 2

Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Add Your Gems

gem Favorite Looking over the elevator building and other park buildings in Wind Cave National Park.

Wind Cave Guided Tours

(18) Hot Spr…, SD
gem Favorite A bison nibbles at roadside greenery near the prairie dog town.

Blacktail Prairie Dog Town

(9) Hot Spr…, SD

Recommended Routes in Wind Cave National Park - 3

Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Add Your Recommended Routes

Favorite It gets a little rocky and steep.
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Sanctuary/ Centennial/ Highland Creek Loop

11.2 mi 18.0 km 839' Up 255.58 m Up 839' Down 255.78 m Down

Hot Spr…, SD
Explore in 3D
Favorite Pronghorn at Wind Cave NP.
Intermediate Intermediate

Lookout Point Loop

4.9 mi 7.8 km 429' Up 130.91 m Up 428' Down 130.56 m Down

Hot Spr…, SD
Explore in 3D
Favorite Wind Cave National Park
Intermediate Intermediate

Boland Ridge Trail

5.3 mi 8.6 km 632' Up 192.52 m Up 632' Down 192.61 m Down

Hot Spr…, SD
Explore in 3D

Wind Cave National Park Running

  • 31 Miles 49 Kilometers of Trail
  • 3 Recommended Routes
  • 2 Gems Gems
  • 5 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 9 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 0 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Share what you know about this area!

Weather Averages


High
 
Low
 
Precip
 
Days w/
 
J F M A M J J A S O N D

Trails in Wind Cave National Park - 11

Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Add Your Trails

1.0 mi 1.6 km #1Rankin Ridge Trail
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Hot Springs, SD
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Hot Springs, SD 10 
8.7 mi 14.0 km #2Highland Creek Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Hot Springs, SD
Intermediate Intermediate
Hot Springs, SD
1.5 mi 2.5 km #3Cold Brook Canyon Trail
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Hot Springs, SD
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Hot Springs, SD
2.2 mi 3.6 km #4Lookout Point Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Hot Springs, SD
Intermediate Intermediate
Hot Springs, SD
3.6 mi 5.8 km #5Sanctuary Trail
Easy Easy
Hot Springs, SD
Easy Easy
Hot Springs, SD
3.7 mi 5.9 km #6East Bison Flats Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Hot Springs, SD
Intermediate Intermediate
Hot Springs, SD
1.9 mi 3.0 km #7Wind Cave Canyon Trail
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Hot Springs, SD
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Hot Springs, SD
0.7 mi 1.1 km #8Prairie Vista Trail
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Hot Springs, SD
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Hot Springs, SD
0.7 mi 1.2 km #9Elk Mountain Nature Trail
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Hot Springs, SD
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Hot Springs, SD
6.0 mi 9.6 km #10Centennial Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Hot Springs, SD
Intermediate Intermediate
Hot Springs, SD

Photos of Wind Cave National Park - 48

Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Add Your Photos

Pronghorn at Wind Cave NP.
Oct 1, 2015 near Hot Spr…, SD
Bisons in Black Hills National Forest
Sep 27, 2017 near Hot Spr…, SD
Looking east from Rankin Ridge Trail
Dec 3, 2018 near Pringle, SD
Bison seen near the Rankin Ridge Trailhead
Dec 26, 2018 near Pringle, SD
Wind Cave National Park
Apr 3, 2020 near Buffalo…, SD
Bison right on the trail!
Aug 6, 2020 near Hot Spr…, SD
A view over the prairie from the intersection of the Lookout Point Trail and Highland Creek Trail.
Nov 4, 2021 near Pringle, SD
A Buffalo bull eating alongside the trail.
Nov 4, 2021 near Pringle, SD

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.