Wind Cave National Park
Wind Cave National Park protects two very different worlds - one deep within the earth, the other a sunlit world of many resources. 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. — nps.gov
Wind Cave National Park at a glance
- State
- South Dakota
- Established
- January 9, 1903
- Size
- 33,971 acres
- 2025 visits
- 606,258
- Busiest-park rank
- #37 of 63
- Entrance
- Free entry
Best time to visit
When is Wind Cave quiet?
Wind Cave is busiest in July and quietest in February. For a quieter visit outside the dead of the off-season, May is the quietest shoulder-season month, going by National Park Service visitor counts for 2021–2025.
In 2025 the park logged 606,258 recreation visits, the #37 busiest of the 63 national parks. Quiet months can also mean closed roads or facilities, so check current conditions before you go.
Crowd calendar, all 63 parks →Is Wind Cave open right now? →
Average visits by month
2021–2025 · NPS IRMAQuietest: FebruaryBusiest: July
Fees & passes
What it costs to visit Wind Cave
Wind Cave National Park charges no entrance fee.
From the NPS fees data, checked October 1, 2026.
Reservations · 2026
No park-wide reservation
The National Park Service lists no timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Wind Cave National Park. Campgrounds, tours and backcountry permits may still need booking, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.
Things to do
Things to do in Wind Cave
- Visit Wind Cave's Natural Entrance10-20 Minutes · All year
You can still see the largest natural opening into Wind Cave without going on a tour. This small hole is one of the only known natural entrances into the cave. Lakota oral tradition speaks of how the first bison and…
Pets OK - Bird Watching in Wind Cave15-60 Minutes · All year
Wind Cave has many opportunities to view birds throughout the year. Although you can bird watch anywhere in the park, the Elk Mountain Campground and visitor center offer the best chances to see a diversity of species…
Pets OK - Become a Wind Cave Junior Ranger20-45 Minutes · All year
Kids of all ages can become a Wind Cave Junior Ranger. Complete the activity book, learn about the park, and take the pledge to earn a Junior Ranger badge.
- Pet Friendly Hikes30-60 Minutes · All year
If you are traveling with a furry friend, Wind Cave has two pet friendly trails. Both are close to the visitor center and about one mile in length.
Pets OK - Take a Cave Tour60-90 Minutes · All year
Visit one of the world's longest and most complex caves.
Reservation/permitFee - Wind Cave Geology Driving Tour60-90 Minutes · All year
The geology driving tour is a great way to see the park while learning about the rich geologic history of the Black Hills. On this 20 mile long tour, you will travel back in time and view Wind Cave's rock record to get…
- Backcountry Camping at Wind CaveAll year
Experienced hikers may enjoy camping in Wind Cave's scenic backcountry. Thousands of acres of undeveloped forest and prairie provide countless sites for hikers to pitch a tent and camp.
- Bike Wind CaveSpring, Summer, Fall
Explore Wind Cave by bike. Although bikes are limited to established roads, this is a great activity for those who want to take their time to sightsee in the park.
Pets OK
Show all 14 things to doShow fewer
- Hiking at Wind CaveAll year
- Horseback Riding in Wind CaveAll year
- Pets OK
- Picnic at Wind CaveSpring, Summer, FallPets OK
- Watch Wind Cave WildlifeAll year
From the National Park Service (checked October 1, 2026). Each title opens its nps.gov page with current conditions.
By activity
- Auto and ATV33
- Backcountry Camping51
- Backcountry Hiking43
- Biking44
- Birdwatching48
- Camping60
- Car or Front Country Camping41
- Caving7
- Food46
- Front-Country Hiking42
- Group Camping33
- Guided Tours54
- Hiking60
- Horse Trekking32
- Museum Exhibits36
- Picnicking34
- Road Biking25
- RV Camping28
- Scenic Driving30
- Self-Guided Tours - Auto19
- Wildlife Watching53
The number shows how many of the 63 national parks offer each activity.
Weather
Weather at Wind Cave
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.
From the National Park Service.
Getting there
Getting to Wind Cave
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.
26611 US Highway 385, Hot Springs, SD, 57747 · Directions on nps.gov
Nearby
National parks near Wind Cave
- Badlands National Park48 mi~1 h drive (est.)
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park249 mi~6 h drive (est.)
- Rocky Mountain National Park251 mi~6 h drive (est.)
- Yellowstone National Park360 mi~9 h drive (est.)
- Grand Teton National Park363 mi~9 h drive (est.)
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park411 mi~10 h drive (est.)
Straight-line distance between park centers; drive times are rough estimates.
Closest big cities: Denver (274 mi) · Kansas City (554 mi)
Road trip
Theodore Roosevelt, Badlands & Wind Cave
3 parks, about 294 miles between them (~7 h of driving, estimated).
Wind Cave is the orange dot. Tap any park to tick it off your checklist.
Photos of Wind Cave National Park
FAQ
Wind Cave, quickly
- When is the best time to visit Wind Cave National Park?
- If you want fewer people, go in May, the quietest shoulder-season month. July is the busiest month on average, and February the quietest, based on NPS recreation visits for 2021–2025. Check nps.gov for seasonal road and facility closures before you go.
- How much does it cost to visit Wind Cave National Park?
- Wind Cave National Park has no entrance fee, according to the National Park Service. Some tours, campgrounds or permits may still cost money.
- Do you need a reservation for Wind Cave National Park in 2026?
- The National Park Service lists no park-wide timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Wind Cave National Park. Campgrounds, tours and some popular hikes may still need bookings, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.
- What are some things to do in Wind Cave National Park?
- The National Park Service lists 14 things to do in Wind Cave National Park, including Visit Wind Cave's Natural Entrance, Bird Watching in Wind Cave, Become a Wind Cave Junior Ranger, Pet Friendly Hikes, Take a Cave Tour. Each has its own page on nps.gov with current conditions.
- When did Wind Cave National Park become a national park?
- Wind Cave National Park was established as a national park on January 9, 1903.
- What is the closest national park to Wind Cave?
- Badlands National Park, about 48 miles away in a straight line (roughly 1 hours' drive, estimated).
Sources · 3
- 1.Wind Cave National Park — official site · National Park Service
- 2.NPS Data API — /parks (all park units) · National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior)
- 3.Wind Cave National Park — Visitor Use Statistics · National Park Service (IRMA)
About this page
Park facts, photos, fees and visitor counts come from the National Park Service (NPS Data API and Visitor Use Statistics), last checked October 1, 2026. Park'd is an independent app and is not affiliated with the National Park Service. For official, current information, visit nps.gov/wica.
Park'd · free on iPhone & Android
Been to Wind Cave? Log it.
Park'd keeps your national parks map, trips, photos and stats in one place on iPhone and Android. Check off Wind Cave, add the trip, and see how many of the 63 you've got left.
