If you love dark night skies and bugling elk, you’ll love camping in Wind Cave National Park. There is nothing better than spending a night under the stars after your cave tour!
The Elk Mountain Campground is the only campground at Wind Cave, located right in the heart of the park. Camping here is ideal if you want to immerse yourself in the park’s beauty.
What You Need to Know About Camping in Wind Cave
- Each standard campsite only accommodates eight people. If you have a larger group, you will need to book two campsites or a group site.
- There is a 14-day stay limit.
- All sites are reservable during the summer months! Plan ahead and make a reservation if you’d like to camp at Wind Cave during its busy season.
- A maximum of 2 vehicles is allowed at each campsite (RVs, 5th Wheels, and trailers count as a vehicle).
- A dump station is not available in the park. You will need to drive to Hot Springs or Custer to dump your RV.
This article covers the only frontcountry campground in Wind Cave. If you want to backpack into the park and camp overnight in the backcountry, you’ll need to secure a free permit. More information about this process and your backcountry camping options can be found here.
Getting to the Campground at Wind Cave
Check out the Wind Cave National Park map before you go. The Elk Mountain Campground is located just north of the Wind Cave Visitor Center.
How to Get a Campsite at Wind Cave
During Wind Cave’s busy season (May-September), the campground fills up nightly. To make sure you get an ideal spot for your trip, be sure to reserve a site in advance!
You can reserve any site, even group campsites, ten months in advance. Sites don’t get snatched up that quickly though, so even if you’re taking a last-minute trip, it’s worth checking to see if you can get a reservation.
If you’re not able to get a reservation, you can still stop by the visitor center to see if anything is available while you’re there.
From October through most of May, the campground doesn’t accept reservations. Campsites are distributed on a first-come-first-served basis and can be reserved at the visitor center.
Elk Mountain Campground
Camping at the Elk Mountain Campground is a great way to see the best of the park — there’s no better way to get the full Wind Cave experience than camping in this scenic landscape. Wildlife sightings are common around this campground, too, so you might be able to spot deer, elk, or bison from your site!
This campground is famous for the bugling elk that you can hear from your tent in the fall months.
The Elk Mountain Campground is located 0.25 miles north of the visitor center, so you’ll be close to all the best sights in the park. If you stay here, you’ll be able to walk to your cave tour.
Open Season: Year-round
Max RV Length: 40 feet
Generators: Allowed from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Reservations Required: Yes, reservations are needed from the end of May through September and can be made here. From October through May, sites are first-come, first-served.
Hookups: No
Dump Station: No
Fee: $24 per night
Number of Sites: 62
Pets Allowed: Yes, but please review the Wind Cave Pet Policy.
Restrooms: Flush toilets and running water during the summer. Vault toilets and no running water during the off-season.
Wheelchair Accessibility: Yes, sites 17 and 49 are handicap-accessible.
Planning a trip to South Dakota can be overwhelming.
How do you make a solid plan if you’ve never been to the area? How do you keep everyone in your group excited and engaged?
You can spend hours on the internet searching for things to do, but you still won’t find the insider tips and first-hand knowledge that I’ve gained from working as a park ranger.
If you’re hoping to see the best sights without getting stuck in traffic, circling parking lots, or being surrounded by people, check out this South Dakota National Parks Itinerary.
You will see all of the can’t-miss spots, plus get lodging and dining guides, driving directions, and insider tips!
If you’re unable to book a campsite at the Elk Mountain Campground, you’ll find a few other nearby camping options.
For instance, check out the Sunrise Ridge Campground or the Hot Springs South Dakota KOA Campground. These campgrounds are located in the town of Hot Springs, SD, just a few miles south of Wind Cave National Park.
You’ll also find a few good boondocking options just outside of Wind Cave. I like County Road 342 if you’re in a small rig or tent.
Another fantastic option for camping near Wind Cave National Park is to snatch up a campsite in Custer State Park. This park is fantastic, and you’ll find many awesome camping options here without being too far from Wind Cave.
I hope you enjoy camping in Wind Cave National Park!
More Wind Cave Trip Planning Information
South Dakota Parks Itinerary — a detailed hour-by-hour sightseeing schedule.
How to Get to Wind Cave — the best airports and roads in the area.
How Many Days Should I Spend in Wind Cave? — itinerary ideas.
The Best Time to Visit — what to expect during each month of the year.
Weather, Hours, and Closures — important weather info and common closures.
Where Should I Stay? — the best options in and around the park.
5 Things You Can’t Miss on Your First Visit to Wind Cave — the top 5 spots.
The Best Easy Hikes — the perfect trails for kids, wheelchairs, and beginners.
Best Things to Do — activities for every adventurer.
The Ultimate Wind Cave Trip Planning Guide — everything you need to know.
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