NPS Dashboard

Bison cow and calf

rolling hills of forest and prairie landscape

Rankin Ridge view

Boxwork

a caver with pads and helmet crawling in the cave

Wind Cave explorer

Prairie Dogs

Wind Cave National Park

Alerts

Evening Programs Will Start at 8:30 pm Beginning August 10, 2025

Beginning August 10, 2025, Evening Programs in the Elk Mountain Campground will start at 8:30 pm. Evening Programs will be held nightly through September 1, 2025.

Centennial Trailhead Parking

Reminder: Overnight parking without a camping permit is prohibited. Permits are not issued specifically for parking. Shuttles are available in the Black Hills for through hikers on the Centennial Trail.

Wind Cave moves to cashless fee collection

Payments for cave tours, campground fees, as well as Interagency Passes at Wind Cave National Park, will be by credit/ debit cards or digital payments only. Cash and check payments will no longer be accepted.

Weather forecast

Sun, Aug 12

Min: 26.68°C

Max: 28.04°C

Few clouds

Mon, Aug 13

Min: 17.21°C

Max: 35.14°C

Few clouds

Tue, Aug 14

Min: 18.57°C

Max: 36.08°C

Scattered clouds

Wed, Aug 15

Min: 20.85°C

Max: 33.53°C

Scattered clouds

Thu, Aug 16

Min: 21.4°C

Max: 30.9°C

Scattered clouds

Fri, Aug 17

Min: 18.35°C

Max: 29.21°C

Few clouds

Air Quality

Good (0-50)

Air quality is satisfactory, and there is little to no health risk.

To-Do Activities

Auto and ATV

Scenic Driving

Biking

Road Biking

Camping

Backcountry Camping

Car or Front Country Camping

Group Camping

RV Camping

Caving

Food

Picnicking

Guided Tours

Self-Guided Tours - Auto

Hiking

Backcountry Hiking

Front-Country Hiking

Horse Trekking

Junior Ranger Program

Wildlife Watching

Birdwatching

Park Film

Museum Exhibits

Shopping

Bookstore and Park Store

Things to explore

Sorry, Not have any trail or things you can explore

Campgrounds and More

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.

Standard Park Information

Standard Opening Information: 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.

Park Directions Information: 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.
Directions URL

Our Operating Hours

wednesday: All Day

monday: All Day

thursday: All Day

sunday: All Day

tuesday: All Day

friday: All Day

saturday: All Day

Weather Specific Information

Spring: Highs range from 50-70°F with highly variable weather. Spring is the park's wettest season. Summer: Hot and generally dry with daytime temperatures regularly exceeding 80°F (27°C). Strong thunderstorms are common and can produce large hail and lightning. Fall: Generally dry with warm days and cool nights. Highs 50-60°F. Lows below freezing are common. Winter: Highs are in the high 30s with lows around 10°F. Snowfall averages 30 inches annually, periodically closing park roads.

Collect your National Park stamps!

No stamping center found.