WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK
“I found myself in a wonderful place & among the most beautiful scenery…
…in the volcanic part of Wind Cave. From here I found the most dangerous climbing that I ever experienced. In the first place l got into the middle of (as far as I could tell) a place that I could see neither bottom nor top. At the far end of this room I saw some beautiful bracket work that was crystallized.
I have given up the idea of finding the end of Wind Cave.”
— ALVIN MCDONALD (FULL ACCOUNT HERE)
Welcome to the Ultimate Wind Cave Trip Planning Guide
Deep in the earth is a cave system full of mystery and surprise. Wind Cave contains one of the rarest cave formations in the world, and new passages continue to be discovered!
This cave was the first cave to be protected as a national park. People have always been drawn to it, and now it’s your turn to experience this incredible place — it’s your turn to be a part of its story.
WIND CAVE AT-A-GLANCE
Location: South Dakota
What It’s Famous For: Boxwork, an extremely rare cave formation
Depth of Wind Cave: 594 feet under the surface
Date Established: January 9, 1903 — this is national park #6
Size: The park is 33,851 acres. The discovered length of the cave so far is 150 miles.
Crowd Levels: Moderate, with around 700,000 visitors each year.
COMMON WIND CAVE TRIP PLANNING QUESTIONS
Where is Wind Cave, and how do I get there?
Wind Cave is located in western South Dakota about 1 hour south of Rapid City, 3 hours from Casper, WY, and 2.5 hours from Scottsbluff, NE.
I suggest flying into Rapid City. In this article, I share details about the best airports and roads in the area.
Is Wind Cave open year-round?
Wind Cave NP is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year — but that doesn’t mean that you’ll be able to do everything you’re hoping to do.
Learn more about the weather, hours, and common closures that may affect your trip to the park.
How many days should I spend at Wind Cave?
You’ll want a full day at Wind Cave, but you can easily spend a week in the Black Hills!
See my recommendations for the amount of time to spend in the park, as well as how to split your time between multiple parks.
When is the best time to visit Wind Cave?
If you’re just getting started with your Wind Cave trip planning but are unsure of the best time to go, I’ve got you covered!
Here are my suggestions if you’re hoping to:
- Beat the crowds: April or October
- Travel during the summer: June
- Go backpacking: June or September
- Save money: April or October
- Have a unique adventure: December
This article provides a month-by-month breakdown of what to expect at Wind Cave — including information on weather, closures, crowds, and which points of interest will be open.
THINGS TO DO AT WIND CAVE
5 Things You Can’t Miss on Your First Visit
- Cave Tour
- Rankin Ridge Trail
- Bison Flats
- Prairie Vista Trail
- NPS 5 and 6 Backroads
This popular article outlines each can’t-miss spot at Wind Cave in great detail. You’ll learn about the important things you need to know about each stop, and driving directions are included.
The Best Things to Do at Wind Cave:
IF YOU LOVE RANGER PROGRAMS
- Cave tour
- Elk Bugling Program
- Evening programs
IN WINTER
- Cave tour
- Prairie Vista Trail
- Hot Springs
IF YOU DON’T WANT TO HIKE
- Geology driving tour
- Cave tour
- Wildlife watching
IN A WHEELCHAIR
- Accessible tour
- See the natural entrance
- Wildlife watching
This massive list of things to do at Wind Cave will cover the travel needs of your entire group.
In addition to the items mentioned above, it also includes high-adventure activities, things to do with a dog, biking, things to do with kids, best hikes, and more. There’s something for everyone!
The Best Easy Hikes
Looking for good beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, or wheelchair-friendly trail options? This list details the best easy hikes in and near Wind Cave.
Dog-friendly Activities
Learn about all the places you can bring your dog in and around Wind Cave.
SOUTH DAKOTA PARKS ITINERARY
Do you LOVE to have a plan while traveling?
You’ve probably been spending a lot of time and money to make your trip possible. But don’t forget about the most important part — the day-to-day details!
When you get to South Dakota, will you have all the information you need to confidently navigate around the park and avoid the crowds?
This hour-by-hour itinerary will make sure you see the best of the South Dakota National Parks and the Black Hills — no more research needed!
LODGING AT WIND CAVE
Where Should I Stay?
This article provides information on the gateway towns and lodging options in the Wind Cave area.
All About Camping
Learn all about the campgrounds in Wind Cave and how to snag a site.
GETTING AROUND WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK
Cars
You can drive to all viewpoint and trailhead parking areas with your own car. If you’d like some help planning your day so that you can see everything in the area, take a look at this itinerary.
Oversized Vehicles
The Wind Cave Visitor Center does have parking spots large enough to accommodate tour buses and RVs, so if you are in an oversized vehicle, you will be able to park at the visitor center to take your cave tour. In the middle of the day when things get busy, it may be nearly impossible to find parking with a big vehicle, so definitely pack your patience!
Planning a trip to South Dakota can be overwhelming.
How do you make a solid plan if you’ve never been to the parks before? 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 Parks Itinerary.
You will see all of the can’t-miss spots, plus get lodging and dining guides, driving directions, and insider tips!
Thanks for using the Ultimate Wind Cave Trip Planning Guide
You may also be interested in one of these nearby national parks:
Badlands National Park
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Yellowstone National Park
Disclosure: This Wind Cave Trip Planning Guide may contain affiliate links, which means that (at no extra cost to you) I receive a small compensation if you make a purchase. I don’t recommend anything that I don’t personally love and use myself! Thanks for your support. — Ash