South Dakota's Wind Cave National Park - An Overview

Too many visitors leave Wind Cave only knowing half of its beauty. While the park is well known for its cave, there is much beauty above ground. In fact, 28,295 acres of mixed-grass prairie, ponderosa pine forest, and associated wildlife are the main features of the park. The park's mixed-grass prairie is one of the few remaining and is home to native wildlife such as bison, elk, pronghorn, mule deer, coyotes, and prairie dogs.

The Organic Act signed by President Theodore Roosevelt on January 9, 1903 created Wind Cave as the nation's 7th national park. It was the world's first cave to be preserved as a national park.

The park is open year-round but offers fewer cave tours in the off-season (late September to May). Late spring to mid-summer is the best time to visit for stunning views of wildflowers.

Wind Cave National Park is located 6 miles north of Hot Springs, SD. For visitors traveling on I-90, exit onto U.S. Route 79 south. Follow Route 79 south for 50 miles to U.S. Route 385. Turn right onto U.S. Route 385 North, which will take you through Hot Springs and into Wind Cave National Park.

Visitors can also reach the park by following Route 16 west out of Rapid City onto U.S. Route 385 south. The Park is about 20 miles south of Custer, SD off U.S. Hwy 385. Do not trust your GPS to find the Visitor Center.

Visitors traveling from Nebraska should follow U.S. Route 385 north to the park or may choose to travel through Custer State Park on State Road 36 and 87. These winding roads are slower than other routes, but provide visitors with scenic views of the Black Hills, Custer State Park and Wind Cave National Park.

The nearest commercial airport is located in Rapid City, SD.

There are no fees to drive through or hike in the national park. There are fees associated with visiting the cave or camping in the park's campground. See below for rates:

Garden of Eden Cave Tour: $7.00 for adults 17 and older, $3.50 for children 6-16, children 5 and under are free, $3.50 for holders of the Golden Age (Senior)/Access Passports.

Natural Entrance Cave Tour: $9.00 for adults 17 and older, $4.50 for children 6-16, children 5 and under are free, $4.50 for holders of the Golden Age (Senior)/Access Passports.

Fairgrounds Cave Tour: $9.00 for adults 17 and older, $4.50 for children 6-16, children 5 and under are free, $4.50 for holders of the Golden Age (Senior)/Access Passports.

Historic Candlelight Cave Tour: $9.00 for adults 17 and older, $4.50 for children 8-16, $4.50 for holders of the Golden Age (Senior)/Access Passports.

Wild Cave Tour: $23.00 for adults, half price for holders of the Golden Age (Senior)/Access Passports.

Tours for Visitors with Special Needs: $5.00 for adults 17 and older, $2.50 for children 6-16, children 5 and under are free, $2.50 for holders of the Golden Age (Senior)/Access Passports.

Elk Mountain Campground: The fee during the warmer months when the water is turned on is $12.00 per site per night. When the water is turned off the fee is reduced to half-price. Holders of a Golden Age (Senior)/Access Passports received a half-price discount.

Any visitor planning a backcountry camping trip will be required to obtain a permit, available for free at the Visitor Center.

Cave Tours: Offered daily throughout the year except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day, tours are an exciting way to visit the park. All cave tours leave from the Visitor Center and many are accessible to people with disabilities. See cave tour fees in the above Fees/Permits section.

Bird Watching: Wind Cave Canyon is one of the best birding areas in the park. The limestone walls of the canyon are fantastic nesting grounds for cliff swallows and great horned owls.

Junior Ranger: Kids can become a Junior Ranger at Wind Cave National Park. Booklets are available at the bookstore.

Natural Entrance Cave Tour: Visitors walk through the middle level of the cave where Wind Cave's rare formation, called boxwork, is abundant. The moderately strenuous, 1¼ hour tour has 300 stairs (mostly down).

Fairgrounds Cave Tour: This tour includes some of the larger rooms found in the developed area of the cave. This moderately strenuous tour has 450 stairs and last 1½ hours.

Garden of Eden Cave Tour: Cave popcorn, flowstone, and boxwork are seen on this one hour tour. It is the least strenuous of the tours as visitors enter/leave via elevator.

Candlelight Cave Tour: This tour takes place in a less developed, unlighted part of the cave. Each participant will carry a candle bucket on the tour which covers one mile of rugged trail and lasts 2 hours. Reservations are strongly recommended and may only be made in person or by telephone: (605) 745-4600.

Wild Cave Tour: On this 4-hour tour, visitors will be introduced to basic, safe caving. This tour is limited to 10 people and the minimum age is 16. Signed consent is required for those 17 and under. Reservations are required and may only be made in person or by telephone: (605) 745-4600.

Discovery Activity: Join a ranger for a short talk or demonstration explaining some facet of the park. Topics may include local wildlife, plants, geology, area history, Lakota culture and cave surveying.

Prairie Hike: Explore the park's prairie and forest habitats with a ranger. Hiking boots and study shoes and water are advised for this 2-hour tour.

Campfire Program: Evening campfire talks are presented at the Elk Mountain Campground amphitheater. Topics may include wildlife, plants, geology, park management and history. The programs last about 45 minutes.

Cave Tours for Visitors with Special Needs: The visitor center and the cave are accessible to people with limited mobility. Limited areas of the cave are accessible to wheelchairs. To schedule a special tour, please call ahead (605-745-4600) or check at the information desk.

The park operates one campground and has limited food and beverage vending services in the Visitor Center. There are no lodging, gasoline, grocery, or restaurant services available in the park. These services are available in the nearby towns of Hot Springs and Custer. For information about services in Hot Springs, call (605) 745-4140 or (800) 325-6991; call (605) 673-2244 or (800)992-9818 for information about services in Custer.

Custer State Park, bordering the park to the north, has campgrounds, restaurants, motels, and some grocery services. Information is available by calling (605) 255-4515.

All public use buildings and caves are closed to pets. Pets are permitted on established roadways and roadway corridors, and may be taken on the Elk Mountain and Prairie Vista Nature Trails.

If you are interested in boarding your pet Fall River Veterinary Clinic is located in Hot Springs. Call (605) 745-3786 for more information. Mutt House, (605) 745-3999, and Anise's Personal Touch Pet Care, (605)745-7455, are also good boarding options.

By Mail:
Wind Cave National Park
26611 U.S. Highway 385
Hot Springs, South Dakota 57747

E-mail

Phone:
Visitor Information: (605) 745-4600