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Campground Information
In Wind Cave National Park, there is one campground, Elk Mountain Campground. This campground has 75 campsites, and is located one mile from the visitor center. The campground has flush toilets and running water during the summer months. There are no showers, dump stations or electrical hookups. Other camping is available throughout the area in federal, state and private campgrounds.
Elk Mountain Campground offers campers a unique opportunity to view the plants and animals of the southern Black Hills. Campers, whether in a tent or a motor home, are responsible for maintaining the natural state of these habitats. After camping, leave the site better than you found it.
| Campground | Open | Close | Sites | Dump Station | Fire Grates | Flush Toilets | Water | Tables | Fee |
| Elk Mountain | 01 Apr | Oct | 75 | No | Yes | Summer | Summer | Yes | $10.00 * |
* The campground fee is $10.00 a night per site from mid-May through mid-September. The fee is $5.00 per night from 01 Apr to mid-May and from mid-Sep to 26 Oct - facilities at the campground are reduced. Visitors holding a Golden Age or Golden Access Passport pay a half price fee.
Campfires
Firewood is available at bins located throughout the campground. This wood is for use only at Elk Mountain Campground. Help preserve the park resources by using this wood and by not removing wood from the forest. The threat of fire is moderate to high most of the year. Build fires only in the designated fire grates provided. Never leave fires unattended and make sure wood and charcoal fires are completely extinguished before leaving.
Campground Host
The campground host resides on Site 22 at the entrance to A Loop. This person can answer many of your questions and provide assistance.
Campsites
Occupancy is on a first-come, first-served basis. Each site accommodates up to eight people and two vehicles. This limit reduces impacts on the soil and vegetation. Altering the terrain by ditching or leveling the ground is prohibited. Campers with recreational vehicles must park at established campsites within the designated parking area. There is a limit of 14 days occupancy for the campground. Sites 24 and 69 are for campers with a handicapped license or a disabled permit.
Emergency Assistance
Contact the campground host in site 22 or use the pay telephone to call 911 or 605-745-4600 during business hours.
Pets
Help preserve the environment at Wind Cave National Park by keeping all dogs, cats and other pets on a leash at all times. Pets running loose disrupt the native wildlife, can disturb other park visitors and are sometimes the targets of larger wild animals.
Quiet Hours
Quiet hours are between 10:00 pm to 6:00 am. Maintain your neighbor's right to quiet by respecting the quiet hours.
Recycling Program
You can recycle materials while camping. Please place recyclables at the locations marked for recycling. Items that can be collected here are glass bottles and jars, aluminum beverage cans and plastic containers with the PETE 1 or HDPE 2 markings. Please rinse all recyclable before placing them in the containers.
Registration
The campground fee is $10.00 a night per site from mid-May through mid-September. From 01 Apr to mid-May and from mid-Sep to 26 Oct, facilities at the campground are reduced. The fee is $5.00 per night during these times. Visitors holding a Golden Age or Golden Access Passport pay a half price fee. After selecting a site, return to the fee station to register and pay for the site. Drop fees into the designated box. The campground is closed from 27 Oct to 31 Mar.
Security
Protect your valuables. Do not invite theft at your campsite. Keep all valuables with you at all times. Keep extra equipment or personal items out of sight and locked in your car.
Waste Water
Please do not dump waste water on the ground. Trailer dump stations are located in Hot Springs and Custer. Camper service sinks are available in each comfort station. Remember, a very delicate cave lies beneath the campground and our actions may have negative impact to it.
Wildlife
The animals found around the campground and throughout the park are wild. An animal that becomes habituated to people may beg or become a nuisance. Respect wildlife. Please do not feed or harass the animals that live in Elk Mountain Campground or in the park.
Group Camping
Group campsites have been developed in Elk Mountain Campground for groups which are larger than our normal campsite can accommodate. Groups are welcome to use the regular campsites but are restricted to 2 vehicles and 8 people per site. Groups utilizing the group sites will be charged $1.00 / person, to be paid upon arrival.
Groups will be placed in site #60 located in D-Loop. If your group is small, we may have another group occupy the site at the same time. If this is the case, you will be advised in advance not to use all of the space. The designated site is quite large and we will not bunch groups together too closely. A campground host is located in site #22 and it would be helpful to check in there upon arrival. If the host(s) are unavailable, contact a Park Ranger.
Please send the information below and contact the Group Camping Coordinator at 605-745-4600 with any changes or questions. Group camping is available by reservation. Contact the park for information and reservations.
Group Campsite Reservation Request
Wind Cave National Park
RR 1 Box 190-WCNP
Hot Springs, SD 57747-9430
Send the following information:
Group Name and Address
Contact Person and Telephone
Arrival Date
Departure Date
Number of People
Number of Vehicles: Car, Van, Bus
Number of Tents: Small, Medium, Large
Backcountry Camping
The backcountry of Wind Cave National Park offers visitors a great opportunity to experience and enjoy the abundant resources of the park. Backcountry camping is limited to the northwest area of the park. This is the areas of; north of Beaver Creek, east of Highway 87, south of National Park Service 5 and west of Highland Creek Trail. Within this area are several different habitats - prairie, forest, and riparian - with a variety of plants and animals living there. There are maintained and marked trails within that section and throughout the park, however, the entire park is open to hiking.
Bison
While in the backcountry, be alert for the presence of bison (buffalo). These animals may appear tame, but they are extremely unpredictable! During the summer mating season they are particularly dangerous and may charge without warning. Campsites should be located away from wallows or mineral licks. Bison tend to frequent these areas. Always give bison plenty of room. Do not approach these animals!
Campsites
All backcountry campsites must be at least .25 mile from, and out of sight of any paved or improved dirt road. Campsites also must be 100 feet away from any trail or any water source.
Fires
No open fires are allowed in the backcountry. All cooking must be done on self-contained fuel stoves. Campfires leave permanent scars on the land and are frequently the cause of wildfires. The threat of wildfire is moderate to extreme most of the year.
Insects
Ticks and deer flies can be plentiful in the park. They are generally found in the wetter areas of the park.
Litter
All litter must be packed out of the backcountry and disposed of properly. The park's visitor center, picnic area, and Elk Mountain Campground have receptacles for recyclable items. Litter is unsightly and ruins the park experience for everyone. Please remember, cigarette butts are litter, too.
Minimum Impact Camping
Please practice low impact camping and hiking techniques. Leave no trace of your visit, make no changes.
Permits
All backcountry campers must have a backcountry use permit in their possession. These permits are free and can be obtained at the Wind Cave visitor center information desk or at the Centennial trailheads. Permits help park managers gather information needed to make wise resource management decisions. Because the mission of the park service is to preserve and protect the natural resources, a variety of needs must be considered.
Rattlesnakes
Also be aware of the possible presence of prairie rattlesnakes. While these animals are timid, they, like any wild animal, can be dangerous if surprised or provoked. Rattlesnakes can be found anywhere in the park, but be particularly alert when near cliffs, rocky areas and prairie dog towns.
Resource Protection
Do not disturb or remove plants, wildlife, antlers or bones, or any other cultural or natural feature. These features are all part of the ecosystem and are important to the park history or for the survival of other animals and plants. They are protected by federal law.
Travel
Pets, bicycles, motorized equipment, firearms and hunting are prohibited in the backcountry.
Water
It is recommended that you carry all the drinking water you will need. There are only a few water sources within the park. Any water obtained in the backcountry should be boiled or filtered.
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This site is in no way associated with the United States Government, the Department of the Interior or the National Park Service
