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General Information
Hiking in the Wind Cave National Park can be a fun and rewarding experience as in other national parks. It is a great way to both see and experience the park.
Touring the cave; hiking in the prairie and forest; walking the nature trails; observing plants and wildlife is a great way to enjoy Wind Cave National Park. There are regularly scheduled cave tours year-round. Five types of cave tours are scheduled. See the Calendar Page for dates and times. There are 30 miles of hiking trails in the park. Two trails, the Rankin Ridge Trail and the Elk Mountain Trail are self-guiding nature trails with trail booklets.
Cave Tours Information
All cave tours are ranger-guided and leave from the visitor center. Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Long waits for tours may be encountered during peak summer visitation. To avoid waits, the best time to visit the cave is during the early hours of the day. During the summer, weekends are good times to visit; Tuesday and Wednesday are the busiest days. Reservations are recommended for the candlelight and caving tours. Reservations for organized groups are available. For more information please call: 605-745-4600. The same number is used for TTY.
Tour schedules are subject to change. For more information please call: 605-745-4600.
Specialty tours are limited to 10 people. Minimum age for the caving tour is 16 and minimum age for the candlelight tour is 8.
Group Tours
Reservations are available for organized groups for standard cave tours to occur between the hours of 8:00 and 11:30 am only. Groups are welcome to participate in regularly scheduled tours on a first-come, first-served basis. Tours are limited to 40 people.
To reserve a group cave tour please contact the park at least three weeks prior to your visit by calling 605-745-4600 or by writing to: Wind Cave National Park, RR 1, Box 190-WCNP, Hot Springs, SD 57747-9430. If your request is written, please include your phone number. You will receive written confirmation, if time allows. Reservations must be reconfirmed at least two days prior to arrival.
| Tour | Length | Fees 6 -16 17 - 61 Golden Age |
Description |
| Candlelight | 2.0 hr | $ 4.50 $ 9.00 $ 4.50 |
Children under 7 are not permitted. This tour takes place in a less developed, unlighted part of the cave. Each participant will carry a candle bucket. This tour is limited to 10 people and the minimum age is 8. This strenuous tour covers one mile of rugged trail. Shoes with non-slip soles are required. NO SANDALS! Reservations are strongly recommended. Reservations are being taken one month before the tour. |
| Fairgrounds | 1.5 hr | $ 4.50 $ 9.00 $ 4.50 |
Under 6 free. This tour includes some of the larger rooms found in the developed area of the cave. Visitors will see examples of many cave formations, including Wind Cave boxwork. The tour enters and exits the cave by elevator. This moderately strenuous tour has 450 stairs. |
| Garden of Eden | 1.0 hr | $ 3.50 $ 7.00 $ 3.50 |
Under 6 is free. The tour enters and exits the cave by elevator. The tour is less than .25 mile long, and encounters 150 stairs. You will be walking primarily through the upper level of the cave and will see cave popcorn, frostwork and boxwork. |
| Natural Entrance | 1.25 hr | $ 4.50 $ 9.00 $ 4.50 |
Under 6 is free. Visitors walk through the middle level of the cave where boxwork is abundant. This tour begins at the walk-in entrance and exits by elevator. This moderately strenuous tour has 300 stairs (mostly down). |
| Wild Cave | 4.0 | Not Permitted $ 23.00 |
Visitors will be introduced to basic, safe caving. Wear old clothes and gloves, as much of the trip will be crawling. Long pants, long sleeved shirts and sturdy, lace up boots or shoes with non-slip soles are required. Clothing worn on the Jewel Cave Wild Cave Tour are not permitted in Wind Cave. The park provides hard hats, lights and kneepads. This tour is limited to 10 people and the minimum age is 16. We require a signed consent form for those 17 and under. Please do not bring jewelry, watches and other valuables on the tour. Reservations are required. Reservations are taken one month before the tour. Reservations may only be made by telephone: 605-745-4600. Half price for holders of the Golden Age/Golden Access Passports. |
Safety and Conservation
Cave trail surfaces may be uneven, wet and slippery. Some of the cave ceilings are low, requiring some bending or stooping. Some tours are considered strenuous.
PERSONS WITH HEART CONDITIONS OR OTHER PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS SHOULD RECONSIDER.
Wear low-heeled walking shoes with non-slip soles. Do not wear sandals or shoes with leather or hard composition soles. A light jacket or sweater is recommended as the cave is 53° F (11° C).
For the protection of the cave, please do not touch the cave, remove cave rocks or formations, or step off the trail.
Photography is permitted, but please no tripods. Please stay with the tour group.
There are no restrooms in the cave. Pets are not permitted in the cave.
Please NO eating, drinking, smoking, or chewing gum or tobacco while on tour.
 |
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Description |
| Boland Ridge | 2.7 | Very strenuous | The trail begins one mile north of the National Park Service 5 and National Park Service 6 Junction. This trail climbs the ridge to panoramic views of Wind Cave National Park, the Black Hills, Red Valley and Battle Mountain |
| Centennial | 6.0 | Moderately strenuous | The southern access to the trail is on Hwy 87, 0.7 miles north of Hwy 385. The northern access is on NPS 5, 1.4 miles east of its junction with Hwy 87 |
| Cold Brook Canyon | 1.4 | Moderately strenuous | The trail begins on the west side of Hwy 385 two miles south of the Visitor Center. This trail traverses across a former prairie dog town, along the edge of a controlled fire and through Cold Brook Canyon to the park boundary fence |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Bison Flats | 3.2 | Moderately strenuous | The trail begins along the Wind Cave Canyon Trail .5 mile east of Hwy 385. This trail leads hikers across the rolling hills of the prairie. From this trail you may see panoramic views of Wind Cave National Park, Buffalo Gap and the Black Hills |
| Elk Mountain | 1.0 loop | Easy | Trail begins at the campground. Nine interpretive stops |
| Highland Creek | 8.6 | Moderately strenuous | The southern trail begins along the Wind Cave Canyon Trail one mile east of Hwy 385. The northern trail begins on NPS 5, 2.8 miles east of Hwy 87. This trail is the longest and the most diverse in the park. The trail traverses mixed-grass prairies, ponderosa pine forests and riparian habitats of Highland Creek, Beaver Creek and Wind Cave Canyon |
| Lookout Point | 1.9 | Moderately strenuous | The trail begins on the east side of Hwy 87, .5 mile north of its junction with Hwy 385. This trail follows the rolling hills of the prairie, traverses Lookout Point and ends at Beaver Creek. Take a side trip up Lookout Point to see views of the 1997 controlled fire |
| Rankin Ridge | 1.0 Loop | Moderately strenuous | Trail is a loop beginning and ending at the parking lot at Rankin Ridge. There are 14 interpretive stops placed a irregular intervals along the path |
| Sanctuary | 3.6 | Moderately strenuous | The trail begins on the east side of Hwy 87 about one mile north of the Rankin Ridge fire tower road. This trail follows the rolling hills of the prairie, crosses a large prairie dog town and ends at the Highland Creek Trail. View the Rankin Ridge fire tower at the intersection of the Centennial Trail. This trail provided a fire break for the 1988 controlled fire of 2400 acres. The trail is faint in places, but can still be easily followed |
| Wind Cave Canyon | 1.8 | Easy | The trail begins on the east side of Hwy 385 one mile north of the southern access road to the Visitor Center. This trail follows Wind Cave Canyon to the park boundary fence. Wind Cave Canyon is one of the best places in the park for bird watching. Limestone cliffs provide good nesting areas for cliff swallows and great horned owls. Standing dead trees serve as homes for red-headed and Lewis woodpeckers |
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. Always give bison plenty of room. Do not approach these animals!
Fires - No open fires are allowed in the backcountry. 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.
Permits - Permits are required for backcountry camping. These permits are free and can be acquired at the visitor center.
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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