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Mather Plaque in Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota, US📷 Clyde Charles Brown, CC BY-SA 4.0

Wind Cave National Park

Hot Springs, SD

Nature

A cave famous for rare boxwork formations lies under prairie with bison and prairie dog towns. Cave tours start at the visitor center on US-385 and sell out in summer; some can be booked online, the rest are sold on the day.

Nearest town
Hot Springs, SD
Category
Nature & parks
GPS
43.5563, -103.4785

Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.

Good to know

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July. Cold, short days in December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

Featured in these trip guides

Southern Black Hills: Crazy Horse, the Needles and Wind Cave – Large specimen of cave bacon at Jewel Cave National Monument, South Dakota, US© Clyde Charles Brown · CC BY-SA 4.0
385
National park loops

Southern Black Hills: Crazy Horse, the Needles and Wind Cave

108 mi9 stops3 days
Bison, needles and prairie: by camper through the Badlands and Black Hills – Mather Plaque in Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota, US© Clyde Charles Brown · CC BY-SA 4.0
16
In-depth road trip guides

Bison, needles and prairie: by camper through the Badlands and Black Hills

257 mi10 stops5 days

Nearby

The Mammoth Site – Mammoth Site 2© Ajheindel · CC BY 4.0
History

The Mammoth Site

Hot Springs, SD
Custer State Park Wildlife Loop – Bison, Custer State Park - Flickr - Chad Davis.© Chad Davis from Minneapolis, United States · CC BY 2.0
Editor's pick
Nature

Custer State Park Wildlife Loop

Custer, SD
Needles Highway and Needles Eye Tunnel – Needles Eye Tunnel© Little Mountain 5 · CC BY-SA 3.0
Views

Needles Highway and Needles Eye Tunnel

Custer, SD
Swimmers at Sylvan Lake 01© Runner1928 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Editor's pick
Nature

Sylvan Lake

Custer, SD

Campsites nearby

  • Elk Mountain CampgroundCampsite
    1 mi from Wind Cave National Park · 48 pitches
    TentsCaravansDrinking waterToilets
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • KOA HolidayMotorhome stopover
    11 mi from Wind Cave National Park
    TentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Custer's Gulch RV Park and CampgroundCampsite
    15 mi from Wind Cave National Park
    TentsCaravansWaste disposal
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Game Lodge CampgroundMotorhome stopover
    15 mi from Wind Cave National Park · 60 pitches
    TentsMotorhomesElectricityShowersWaste disposal
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Bearded Buffalo ResortCampsite
    15 mi from Wind Cave National Park
    CaravansWaste disposalWi-Fi
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Big Pine CampgroundCampsite
    16 mi from Wind Cave National Park
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip

All campsites in South Dakota · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026

FAQs

Where is Wind Cave National Park?

Wind Cave National Park is in Hot Springs, SD, at GPS 43.5563, -103.4785. It is about 15 mi from Custer State Park.

Can you camp near Wind Cave National Park?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Elk Mountain Campground, about 1 mi away; within 25 mi there are 42 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

Which road trips pass Wind Cave National Park?

Wind Cave National Park is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Southern Black Hills: Crazy Horse, the Needles and Wind Cave and Bison, needles and prairie: by camper through the Badlands and Black Hills.

What is there to see near Wind Cave National Park?

Places worth a stop nearby: The Mammoth Site (9 mi), Custer State Park Wildlife Loop (15 mi), Needles Highway and Needles Eye Tunnel (20 mi) and Sylvan Lake (20 mi).

When is the best time to visit Wind Cave National Park?

The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)