Wind Cave National Park protects one of the longest and most complex cave systems in the world! And now it’s your turn to explore this beautiful underground world.
Where should you stay while visiting Wind Cave? This park only has one in-park lodging option, and that is the Elk Mountain Campground. But the Black Hills are full of lodging options that will get you close to this park and several others.
My name is Ash, and I’m a former park ranger. I am excited to help you plan your trip to stunning Wind Cave National Park!
Wind Cave Map, Entrances, and Nearby Towns
Wind Cave actually doesn’t have any official entrance stations, so you don’t need to worry about where you enter the park. But let’s talk about the nearby places that you’ll likely drive through to get to Wind Cave National Park.
Highway 385 North (Custer)
If you’re driving down to Wind Cave from the Rapid City area or Mount Rushmore, you’ll likely drive on Highway 385 to get to the park.
When you enter Wind Cave from this direction, you’ll only be in the park for a minute before you see the turnoff for the visitor center.
Highway 87 (Custer State Park)
Another way you might decide to drive to Wind Cave from the north is along Highway 87. This highway is the most scenic way to get to Wind Cave National Park.
To access Highway 87 down into Wind Cave, you’ll have to drive through beautiful Custer State Park first. This state park has gorgeous scenery, fantastic hiking trails, and tons of wildlife.
After driving through the western half of Custer State Park, you’ll then enter Wind Cave National Park. Highway 87 in Wind Cave is great for accessing some of the best trails in the park, plus plenty of buffalo and prairie dog sightings. You’ll then meet up with Highway 385 to get to the visitor center and cave tours.
Highway 385 South (Hot Springs)
If you’re not coming to Wind Cave from the north, you’ll take Highway 385 from the town of Hot Springs. Entering the park from this side takes you past rolling grasslands and is one of the best places in the park to see wildlife.
Staying Inside of Wind Cave National Park
Alright, I’m going to be totally honest here and say that I don’t typically recommend staying near Wind Cave at all. There is SO MUCH to do in the Black Hills of South Dakota, and Wind Cave is a little further removed from other points of interest you may want to hit during your trip, such as Deadwood, Badlands, or Mount Rushmore.
It really only makes sense to stay near Wind Cave if you want to dig deep into this park specifically. But if you’re planning on visiting a bunch of South Dakota sites, I would stay somewhere more centrally located (like Keystone, Hill City, or Rapid City) and then just drive down to Wind Cave for the day.
That being said, here are your options for staying in/near Wind Cave National Park:
In-Park Hotels
There are no in-park hotels or lodges at Wind Cave National Park. You will need to stay outside of the park if you want to stay in a hotel room.
Elk Mountain Campground
The only in-park lodging option at Wind Cave is the Elk Mountain Campground. This scenic campground is made up of 62 sites and is located only 0.25 miles north of the visitor center. You’ll be right next to all the best trails in the park and, of course, Wind Cave itself!
To learn more about the Elk Mountain Campground and how to get a site, read all about camping in Wind Cave.
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!
Staying Outside of Wind Cave National Park
If you aren’t able to get a campsite inside the park or would rather have more amenities close by, like restaurants or shopping, you’ll find the towns of Custer or Hot Springs within a short drive from Wind Cave.
I also often stay in the Rapid City area and just make the drive out to Wind Cave for the day. Let’s talk about a few options you have if you’re staying outside of the park.
Staying in Custer or Custer State Park
Custer is about half an hour from the Wind Cave Visitor Center. You’ll find all the amenities you need here, such as hotels, gas stations, gift shops, and restaurants.
Click here to find lodging options in Custer.
The biggest benefit to staying in Custer, though, is its proximity to Custer State Park. I highly recommend visiting this state park (at least for a half day or so) while you’re in the Black Hills.
Custer State Park really has it all, including trails, beautiful landscapes, and even a couple of historic lodges and resorts throughout the park that you can stay at!
If you decide to stay in the town of Custer or in Custer State Park, you’ll be about 30 minutes from Wind Cave, 30 minutes from Mount Rushmore, and about 2 hours from Badlands.
Staying in Hot Springs
Hot Springs is the nearest town with amenities if you’re accessing Wind Cave from the south. Here, you’ll find plenty of hotels and other accommodations if you’d rather sleep in an air-conditioned room instead of a campsite in Wind Cave National Park.
Click here to see lodging options in Hot Springs.
If you stay in Hot Springs, you’ll be able to tour local attractions like the Mammoth Site, the world’s largest mammoth research facility, or soak in hot springs like Moccasin Springs or Evans Plunge.
Again, I have nothing against staying near Wind Cave National Park if you want to spend an extended amount of time in the park. But if you book your lodging in the town of Hot Springs, be aware that you will be 20 minutes from Wind Cave, 1 hour from Mount Rushmore, and 2 hours from Badlands.
Staying in Rapid City
I often stay in the Rapid City area when I’m visiting Wind Cave National Park if I only want to stay in one hotel while I’m in the Black Hills. (Sometimes I do split up my lodging between various locations to cut down on drive times. For more help with all of this, and to decide what’s best for you, check out this itinerary).
There is so much to do near Rapid City. You can easily day trip to all the amazing points of interest from there — Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Wind Cave, Deadwood, etc.
Click here to see the many lodging options in Rapid City.
Should I Stay in One Hotel to See Everything in the Area?
Yes, if you want to stay in one place to see all of the highlights in the Black Hills, you can totally just book one hotel in a central location like Rapid City and then drive to everything from there!
If you don’t mind moving around a little, I suggest booking a few nights in Custer, Custer State Park, Keystone, or Hill City so that you can easily explore the surrounding area and still be close enough to quickly drive down to Wind Cave for the day. Then, you can book a few nights up closer to Rapid City to cut down your drive times for visiting Deadwood, Spearfish, or Badlands.
I hope you find the perfect place to stay while visiting 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.
All About Camping — learn about the park’s campgrounds and how to get a site.
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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