Wind Cave National Park Guide

Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota (Paul E. Tessier/PhotoDisc/Getty)

Wind Cave National Park Highlights

Stick around for a while after you visit the namesake cave. Above ground you'll find rolling prairie, interesting rock formations, and beautiful pine forests open to exploration. The park is also home to native wildlife such as bison, elk, pronghorn, mule deer, coyotes, and prairie dogs.
Elk Mountain Campground near the visitor center is the only front-country camping option at Wind Cave. Nab a first-come, first-serve spot in one of the campground's west loops to be nearer to the short Elk Mountain Nature Trail.
The rugged Rankin Ridge slices the skyline to your east as you drive north along Highway 87. Get a closer look on the mile-long interpretive trail that starts five miles north of the road's junction with Highway 385. Climb the trail's firetower to take in most of the Black Hills with a glance.
Three strips of well-maintained road open up the park to wheeling spectators. Wildlife Loop Road, Iron Mountain Road, and Needles Highway dip into the backcountry's pine-spruce forests, open meadows, and rock-tipped mountains and pillars of granite. Cyclists will adore the rolling ride; motorists should beware the narrow and low tunnels.

By Travel Expert: Brian Kevin

While Wind Cave, one of the world's longest and most complex caves, certainly steals the show, there's more to the park, including 28,295 acres of mixed-grass prairie, ponderosa pine forest, and associated wildlife.
Guided tours are the only way to explore the caves here, as the vast majority of the Wind Cave is off-limits to cavers unless they are under the Park Service's direct supervision.
The park offers a tour through undeveloped portions of the cave, which requires a tutorial on basic caving skills and gear. This four-hour tour is the only way to get off the beaten path at Wind Cave. Reserve a spot for these trips a month in advance.

By Travel Expert: Brian Kevin