Wind Cave National Park
The first cave to be designated a national park, Wind Cave National Park features the world's largest concentration of rare boxwork formations along with 33,970 acres of forest and prairie on the surface that act as a natural sanctuary for wildlife.
Below you’ll find more trip planning tools & frequently asked visitor questions to help you plan your next great adventure to Wind Cave National Park!
Due to high visitation, cave tours often sell out 2-3 hours in advance and may sell out for the entire day by mid-day. Tickets may be purchased in advance via Recreation.gov. Also, effective June 15, 2022, on-site payments for cave tours, campground fees, as well as Interagency Passes at Wind Cave National Park, are by credit and debit card only.
NOTE: Masks are required for everyone at Wind Cave, including inside all park buildings and on cave tours, regardless of vaccination status. See the Wind Cave website for the most current information.
An uncommon structure of honeycomb-patterned projecting calcite from cave walls is the finest example of boxwork in the world.
A sacred place for the Lakota, their oral tradition tells the story that this is where humans first emerged from within the earth to live on the surface.
In and around Wind Cave you will see the buffalo roam and the antelope play in their natural habitat. Many wildlife species can be seen from the window of your car.
Descend into the cave on a ranger-guided tour and feel the barometric breath of one of the world's longest caves. For more information on tours, scroll down to the FAQ section.
This 33,970-acre attraction is as impressive above ground as it is below. Its unique ecosystem is home to elk, buffalo, antelope, deer, prairie dogs and black-footed ferrets. Choose from over 30 miles of hiking trails and see if you can spot the diverse wildlife.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the tour information for Wind Cave National Park?
All cave access is by ranger-guided tour only. Capacity is limited. Tickets are first-come, first-served on the day of the tour, so it's recommended you get in line by 6:30 a.m. for your best chance to secure tickets. For more information, click here.
What is the closest airport to Wind Cave National Park?
Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) serves as the main flight hub for all destinations in the Black Hills and western South Dakota. It’s located 48 miles from Wind Cave National Park and is serviced by Allegiant, American Airlines, Delta, United and Boutique Air.
What is the driving distance to nearby U.S. cities from Wind Cave National Park?
Rapid City — the nearest metro area — is 45 miles from the park entrance. Other cities in the region include Gillette, Wyoming (131 miles away); Casper, Wyoming (206 miles away); Denver (340 miles away) and Minneapolis (612 miles away).
What is the best time of year to visit Wind Cave National Park?
The warmer months tend to be the best for visiting Wind Cave National Park — the “shoulder” seasons of spring and fall are especially beautiful.
What are the busiest times of week to visit Wind Cave National Park?
Spring, summer and fall can be very busy here; waits can be long and tours often sell out an hour or two in advance. In fact, they often sell out for the day by lunchtime. There is less demand for tours in winter, though even in the off-season, it is wise to get there well ahead of your desired tour so you can secure your spot. Even better: book your tour in advance.
What is the climate, geographic information and history of Wind Cave National Park?
Spring is the wettest time of year, with comfortable temperatures hovering between 50 and 70 degrees F. Summers tend to be hot and dry, and fall is generally pleasant, with warm days and cool evenings. Winters in Wind Cave National Park are gorgeous but potentially dangerous; check road conditions before heading out, as park roads may be closed. Wind Cave National Park is unique among national parks for its dual preservation goals: to protect the cave system for which it’s named, and for the conservation of its unique mixed-grass prairie habitat. Wind Cave’s history dates back to long before Euro-American explorers entered the region; it has been part of Lakota oral tradition for many, many generations. The cave was first documented in 1881 by brothers Tom and Jesse Bingham and, after a mining company explored the area — finding no valuable materials — it became a tourist attraction, later to be named Wind Cave National Park.
A sacred site with allure both above and below the surface.
26611 US Highway 385
Hot Springs, SD57747
United States
This striking South Dakota landscape boasts a maze of buttes, canyons, pinnacles and spires. Skeletons of three-toed horses and saber-toothed cats are among the many fossilized species found here. Wildlife abounds in the park’s 244,000 acres and can often be seen while hiking, camping and traveling the Badlands Loop Scenic Byway.
America's Shrine of Democracy, Mount Rushmore National Memorial features the 60-foot faces of four great American presidents who represent the birth, growth, development and preservation of this country.
The third-longest cave in the world features a variety of tours below the surface and a 1,279-acre park with nature trails above ground.
Few truly wild places remain in this country. Custer State Park is one of them. Nearly 1,300 bison wander the park’s 71,000 acres, which they share with pronghorn antelope, elk, mountain goats and a band of burros.
Walk in the footsteps of historic Old West legends like Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and Seth Bullock. This 1870s gold rush town became a National Historic Landmark in 1961. Today, it teems with Black Hills entertainment and things to do including concerts, casinos, museums, historic sites, spas and parades.
History and adventure abound along and on the waters of the Mighty Mo’. Free-flowing sections and four reservoirs — Lake Oahe, Lake Sharpe, Lake Francis Case and Lewis & Clark Lake — are prime for fishing, boating and water recreation.
The first cave to be designated a national park, Wind Cave National Park features the world's largest concentration of rare boxwork formations along with 33,851 acres of forest and prairie on the surface, creating a sanctuary for wildlife.
Korczak Ziolkowski began work on Crazy Horse Memorial in 1948. Once complete, this tribute to the Lakota leader will be the largest mountain carving in South Dakota, and the world. The on-site Indian Museum of North America and the Native American Educational & Cultural Center also provide opportunities to learn and explore.