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Wind Cave National Park

Designation: National Park

Location: South Dakota

Visit Official Park Website

📘 Park Overview

Wind Cave National Park protects two very different worlds - one deep within the earth, the other a sunlit world of many resources. Bison, elk, and other wildlife roam the rolling prairie grasslands and forested hillsides of one of America's oldest national parks. Below the remnant island of intact prairie sits Wind Cave, one of the longest and most complex caves in the world.

🌤 Weather Information

Spring: Highs range from 50-70°F with highly variable weather. Spring is the park's wettest season. Summer: Hot and generally dry with daytime temperatures regularly exceeding 80°F (27°C). Strong thunderstorms are common and can produce large hail and lightning. Fall: Generally dry with warm days and cool nights. Highs 50-60°F. Lows below freezing are common. Winter: Highs are in the high 30s with lows around 10°F. Snowfall averages 30 inches annually, periodically closing park roads.

🚗 Directions

Wind Cave National Park is located in South Dakota about 11 miles north of Hot Springs, or about 22 miles south of Custer, on US Highway 385. The park Visitor Center, where all cave tours begin, is approximately 1/2 mile west of the highway.

Images

a bison cow and calf on the prairie

Several hundred bison roam the rolling prairie of Wind Cave National Park.

Credit: NPS Photo / Dan Roddy

rolling hills of forest and prairie landscape

Wind Cave National Park from Rankin Ridge, the park's highest point.

Credit: NPS Photo

criss-cross-patterned calcite fins of the cave feature boxwork

Delicate fins of boxwork, a rare cave feature, in Elk's Room, Wind Cave.

Credit: NPS Photo

a caver with pads and helmet crawling in the cave

Each summer, the Wild Cave Tour offers the chance to get up close and personal with Wind Cave.

Credit: NPS Photo

two prairie dogs watch from their burrow

Prairie dog sightings are common throughout the park's prairies.

Credit: NPS Photo

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

Sunday
All Day
Monday
All Day
Tuesday
All Day
Wednesday
All Day
Thursday
All Day
Friday
All Day
Saturday
All Day

Entrance Fees

No entrance fees listed.

Entrance Passes

No entrance passes listed.

3-Day Weather Forecast

Monday, Jul 13

Sunny

Sunny

High: 92.9°F | Low: 64.6°F

Humidity: 36%

Wind: 13 mph

Rain Chance: 1%

UV Index: 11.1

Sunrise: 05:25 AM

Sunset: 08:35 PM

Moon: New Moon (0%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 66.5°F

Cloud Cover: 1%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Tuesday, Jul 14

Sunny

Sunny

High: 93.4°F | Low: 65.9°F

Humidity: 33%

Wind: 12.8 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 11.1

Sunrise: 05:26 AM

Sunset: 08:34 PM

Moon: New Moon (1%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 66.4°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Wednesday, Jul 15

Sunny

Sunny

High: 90.8°F | Low: 63.8°F

Humidity: 37%

Wind: 10.7 mph

Rain Chance: 1%

UV Index: 10.8

Sunrise: 05:27 AM

Sunset: 08:33 PM

Moon: New Moon (3%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 64.9°F

Cloud Cover: 1%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Weather Alerts (1)

⚠️ Red Flag Warning (Severe)
▼

Red Flag Warning issued July 13 at 12:18PM MDT until July 14 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Rapid City SD

Effective: Jul 13, 2026 2:18pm
Expires: Jul 14, 2026 8:00am

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT TUESDAY DUE TO
GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FALL RIVER COUNTY AREA,
NORTHERN FOOT HILLS, EASTERN FOOT HILLS, CUSTER COUNTY PLAINS, PINE
RIDGE AREA, BUTTE COUNTY AREA, PERKINS COUNTY, WEST CENTRAL PLAINS,
ZIEBACH COUNTY, HAAKON COUNTY AREA, AND BADLANDS AREA...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327,
328, 329, 330, 331, and 332.

* TIMING...Until 9 PM MDT Tuesday.

* WINDS...Southeast winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Relative Humidity between 10 to 20 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will spread rapidly. Outdoor
burning is not recommended.

Park Alerts

Beaver Creek Road (FS 391) Closed Starting May 4th for Improvement Project Park Closure
Beaver Creek Road, also known as Forest Service Road 391, will close May 4 while a new cattle guard is installed on the Wind Cave National Park boundary. The closure could last up to 180 days while crews install a wider and stronger cattle guard that meets South Dakota Department of Transportation and Custer County specifications. Additionally, the approach road inside the park will be widened to improve vehicle safety.
Temporary Emergency Fire Restrictions Danger
Due to dry conditions and high fire danger, open fires are prohibited in Wind Cave National Park until further notice. Gas stoves used in or on fire resistant containers are permitted only in the Elk Mountain Campground and the Picnic Area. No smoking is allowed except in vehicles or on paved or concrete areas next to the visitor center. Fires of any kind on trails or in backcountry areas are prohibited. This includes smoking, gas stoves and open fires.
Highway 87 and roads NPS 5 & 6 Closed Park Closure
Highway 87 from the junction with Highway 385 north to the park boundary along with roads NPS 5 & 6 have been closed due to the Qury Fire which is burning north of Wind Cave National Park in Custer State Park. Currently, Wind Cave National Park is not threatened.
Wind Cave Canyon Trail Closed for Repair and Improvement Park Closure
Wind Cave Canyon Trail is closed so that the trail and adjoining road can be repaired from frequent washouts. Sixteen low water crossings will be hardened and the road resurfaced. The trail could be closed for several weeks.
Cave Tours Have Resumed as of Wednesday, January 7th Information
Cave Tours of the Garden of Eden and the Fairgrounds tour routes have resumed as of Wednesday, January 7th. The Garden of Eden Tour will be held at 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., and the Fairgrounds Tour will be held at 1:00 PM. Tickets are available in-person on a first come-first served basis in the Wind Cave Visitor Center.
Wind Cave Canyon Trail Closed Park Closure
The 1.8-mile Wind Cave Canyon Trail will close the week of April 6 while the trail and adjoining road are repaired from frequent washouts. Sixteen low water crossings will be hardened and the road resurfaced. The trail could be closed into June.
High Speed Wind Event Closures Park Closure
During the early morning hours of December 18, 2025, western South Dakota experienced an extreme wind event with gusts over 90 mph. The Wind Cave Visitor Center, park roads, Elk Mountain Campground, and Prairie Vista and Wind Cave Canyon Trails are open. All other trails are closed for hazard removal.
Centennial Trailhead Parking Information
Reminder: Overnight parking without a camping permit is prohibited. Permits are not issued specifically for parking. Shuttles are available in the Black Hills for through hikers on the Centennial Trail.
Wind Cave moves to cashless fee collection Information
Payments for cave tours, campground fees, as well as Interagency Passes at Wind Cave National Park, will be by credit/ debit cards or digital payments only. Cash and check payments will no longer be accepted.
Tree Thinning Project Will Cause Short Delays Starting December 15, 2025 Caution
Expect one-way traffic with short delays along Highways 87 and 385 while contractors remove pine saplings to improve visibility and safety along roadways. A pilot car will lead vehicles through the project area. The project begins on Monday, December 15, and continues until complete.

Park Events

Evening Program

Explore various topics about Wind Cave's cultural and natural history with a ranger at the campground amphitheater. Topics vary nightly and the schedule of topics can be found posted in the campground at each restroom bulletin board.

Evening programs last from 30 to 45 minutes, are free and all ages are welcome.  Programs are usually presented from early June through early September.  Check availability and schedule at the visitor center.

Date: Jun 17, 2026 12:00am to Aug 8, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Evening Program

Explore various topics about Wind Cave's cultural and natural history with a ranger at the campground amphitheater. Topics vary nightly and the schedule of topics can be found posted in the campground at each restroom bulletin board.

Evening programs last from 30 to 45 minutes, are free and all ages are welcome.  Programs are usually presented from late May through early September.  Check availability and schedule at the visitor center.

Date: Aug 9, 2026 12:00am to Sep 7, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Visitor Center & Contacts

📍 Physical Address:
26611 US Highway 385
Hot Springs, SD 57747

🏤 Mailing Address:
26611 US Highway 385
Hot Springs, SD 57747

📞 Voice Phone: 6057454600

📞 Fax Phone: 6057454207

✉️ Email: WICA_interpretation@nps.gov

Park Location

👏 Fun Fact
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