Wind Cave is famous for its beautiful cave tours, but most people don’t know that there is an amazing area above the cave system that is perfect for exploring. Let’s talk about my favorite easy hikes in Wind Cave National Park!
No matter your age, ability, or skill level, there is a fabulous hike for you. The best easy hikes at Wind Cave are the Garden of Eden Cave Tour, Rankin Ridge, Prairie Vista, Elk Mountain, and Wind Cave Canyon.
My name is Ash, and I’m a former park ranger. I love Wind Cave — it’s so unique — and I can’t wait for you to visit!
What are the Best Easy Hikes at Wind Cave?
You’ll find several beautiful easy hikes at Wind Cave that are perfect for seeing the best views in the park!
Garden of Eden Cave Tour
Let’s start with the whole reason you are visiting Wind Cave National Park — to see the cave! The Garden of Eden Cave Tour is the least strenuous of all the guided tours.
Garden of Eden Tour Information
Distance: 0.25 miles roundtrip
Elevation: 150 stairs
Difficulty: Easy
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: No, but there is a wheelchair-friendly tour you can take if needed
Restrooms: Yes
Pets Allowed: No
This cave is famous for its boxwork, a rare geological formation that looks like honeycomb and stretches across the walls of the cave. You need to see the boxwork while you are at Wind Cave National Park!
Rangers run several different guided tours of Wind Cave. If you aren’t able to do much hiking or don’t want to spend an extended amount of time in the cave, the Garden of Eden Tour is a great choice. There are 150 stairs that you’ll hike over the course of this hour-long tour.
If you’re able to climb more stairs and can spend a little more time in the cave, I recommend the Natural Entrance Tour or the Fairgrounds Tour instead.
Cave tours can be booked online in advance or last minute at the visitor center. I suggest booking your tour online to ensure that you are able to get the tickets you need. Cave tours often fill up a couple of days in advance during the main summer season.
Location
All cave tours begin at the Wind Cave Visitor Center.
Rankin Ridge Trail
Rankin Ridge is my favorite hiking trail in Wind Cave National Park! You’ll enjoy expansive views and awesome wildlife sightings as you hike.
Rankin Ridge Trail Information
Distance: 1 mile roundtrip
Elevation: 239 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Restrooms: No
Pets Allowed: No
The Rankin Ridge Trail travels to the highest point in Wind Cave National Park. From up here, you can see the Badlands 40 miles away on a clear day!
This trail is a loop, so you can start hiking in either direction from the trailhead. The last time I hiked this trail, a massive bison was blocking half of the loop, so we had to go down the same way we came up — it was an awesome experience, though!
When you reach the top of the ridge, you’ll see a fire tower (not open to the public) and a sign detailing the landscape before you. When you’re ready, complete the loop to return to the trailhead.
Location
The Rankin Ridge Trail is located along Highway 87 in the northern part of Wind Cave National Park.
Prairie Vista Trail
While you’re waiting for your cave tour, head over to the Prairie Vista Trail. This trail travels through the prairie grass and takes you past some historical spots in Wind Cave National Park!
Prairie Vista Trail Information
Distance: 1 mile roundtrip
Elevation: 104 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Restrooms: Yes
Pets Allowed: Yes
The wide-open prairie around Wind Cave is on full display along the Prairie Vista Trail. This trail is a must-see to round out your trip! The narrow rocky trail through prairie grass is a very different experience from the cave tour, but both are well worth your time.
You will pass the natural entrance to Wind Cave as you walk this loop. You can see where the cave “breathes” in and out — this is the spot where Wind Cave was originally discovered!
You’ll also pass the gravesite of Alvin McDonald as you walk this trail. Alvin extensively explored and mapped Wind Cave using candlelight and some string. You can learn more about him in the nearby visitor center when you’ve finished this trail.
Location
The Prairie Vista Trail can be accessed from behind the visitor center or from the nearby picnic area.
Elk Mountain Loop
The Elk Mountain Loop is a great trail option if you want a nice stroll through the trees and grasslands!
Elk Mountain Loop Trail Information
Distance: 0.8 miles roundtrip
Elevation: 91 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Restrooms: Yes
Pets Allowed: Yes
The Elk Mountain Loop is a short route near the park’s only campground. This trail is one of two dog-friendly options in the park and is a lovely way to stretch your legs.
The best thing about this trail is that you’ll commonly find elk in this area! If you visit the park during the fall, you’ll hear the elk bugling in this area — it’s a magical experience!
The Elk Mountain Loop is also one of the best spots in the park for birding, so bring your camera and binoculars to go birdwatching. Be sure to stay on the trail and keep your dog leashed — ticks and poison ivy are common in this area.
Location
The Elk Mountain Loop begins across from the amphitheater in the Elk Mountain Campground.
Wind Cave Canyon
If you love birdwatching, be sure to spend some time on the Wind Cave Canyon trail!
Wind Cave Canyon Trail Information
Distance: 3.8 miles roundtrip
Elevation: 213 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Restrooms: No
Pets Allowed: No
The main draw of the Wind Cave Canyon Trail is the excellent birdwatching in this area. As you hike along, you’ll likely see various birds nesting on the limestone cliffs, from pecking birds to great horned owls!
This trail follows an old road all the way out to the border of the park, and you can just hike for as long as you wish before turning around. This is a quiet area of the park, so you’ll be able to enjoy the wide-open space and peaceful views in solitude.
{ALTERNATIVE} The Cold Brook Canyon Trail is another great easy trail in this area.
Location
The Wind Cave Canyon Trail is found along Highway 385, just east of the visitor center.
Traffic and crowding in the Black Hills can be terrible.
Did you know that it’s common for parking lots to be full and sights to be packed with people, especially during the busy summer season?
Are you hoping to see the best sights without getting stuck in traffic, circling parking lots, or being surrounded by people?
Stay ahead of the crowds with this South Dakota National Parks Itinerary. You will see all the can’t-miss spots, plus get lodging and dining guides, driving directions, and insider tips!
What are the Best Wheelchair-Friendly Trails at Wind Cave?
Wind Cave National Park has an extremely limited selection of wheelchair-friendly hiking trails. The only section of accessible trails on the surface of the park is the pathway from the visitor center to the natural entrance of the cave (which is amazing and is a can’t-miss!).
But the good news is that you can tour the cave if you’re in a wheelchair. Park rangers run an accessible tour that utilizes the elevator and ramps. You can see the famous boxwork and learn more about the cave on this tour!
Check out the official Wind Cave website for more information about accessibility at the park.
Wind Cave Hiking Regulations
To protect Wind Cave and leave it better than you found it, please follow these regulations:
- Don’t take anything. Rocks, fossils, flowers, sticks, etc., must stay in the national park. If you find something cool, take a picture of it, but please don’t remove it.
- Wear long pants and fully enclosed shoes while hiking at Wind Cave. Ticks and poison ivy are common along the trails here.
- Don’t feed or approach the wildlife. These animals need to be able to find food on their own in order to survive, and they often become aggressive and transmit diseases to humans if fed. Maintain a safe distance from the park’s wildlife to avoid injury or death.
- Rainstorms can create unsafe hiking conditions. Strong thunderstorms with hail are common in this park, especially during the summer. Bring proper gear and check the weather forecast before heading out.
- Pets are not allowed on most park trails. If you bring your pets to the park, they must be leashed and picked up after at all times.
What are the Best Longer Day Hikes at Wind Cave?
If you’re an avid hiker and would love to dig deeper into the Wind Cave landscape, check out these longer trails!
- Lookout Point — this moderate 5-mile trail travels through prime prairie dog habitat and rewards you with gorgeous views.
- Highland Creek — You’ll go through grasslands, ponderosa forests, and a beautiful canyon as you hike this challenging day hike.
- East Bison Flats — this trail isn’t called East Bison Flats for no reason—get ready for some bison sightings!
Have a fantastic time on these easy hikes at 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.
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.
Best Things to Do — activities for every adventurer.
The Ultimate Wind Cave Trip Planning Guide — everything you need to know.
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