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National ParkWICA

Photo: NPSPublic domainNPS.gov

National ParkWICA

Wind Cave National Park

South Dakota · Hot Springs, SD

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1903

Established

34K

Acres

10

Trails

1

Campgrounds

Official sources & verification

Managed by National Park Service

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  • Operator:605-745-4600
  • Address:26611 US Highway 385 · Hot Springs, SD · 57747
We display cached information from agency feeds. Hours, fees, permits, closures, fire restrictions, and conditions change without notice. Outdoors is not the permitting authority. Confirm current conditions for this park using the links above before you go — you are responsible for compliance. Last verified by us: May 10, 2026. Our copy is more than a month old — please reconfirm with the agency before relying on it.Spot an error in our data?

About

Wind Cave National Park is a national park of the United States located 10 miles (16 km) north of the town of Hot Springs in western South Dakota. Established on January 3, 1903 by President Theodore Roosevelt, it was the sixth national park in the U.S. and the first cave to be designated a national park anywhere in the world. The cave is notable for its calcite formations known as boxwork, as well as its frostwork. Approximately 95 percent of the world's discovered boxwork formations are found in Wind Cave.

Source: Wikipedia — text licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Verify alerts and operational details with the managing agency below.

Trails

All trails in Wind Cave National Park
Boland Ridge Trail

Boland Ridge Trail

Buffalo Gap4.8 mi899 ftgain
TrailDifficulty: ModerateOut & Back

Centennial Trail #89

4.2 mi591 ftgain
TrailDifficulty: Moderate
Cold Brook Canyon Trail

Cold Brook Canyon Trail

Custer2.8 mi381 ftgain
TrailDifficulty: EasyOut & Back
East Bison Flats Trail

East Bison Flats Trail

Custer10.1 mi1,624 ftgain
TrailDifficulty: DifficultOut & Back
Elk Mountain Interpretive Trail

Elk Mountain Interpretive Trail

Custer2.5 mi410 ftgain
TrailDifficulty: EasyOut & Back
Highland Creek Trail to Centennial Trail Loop

Highland Creek Trail to Centennial Trail Loop

Buffalo Gap13.6 mi1,749 ftgain
TrailDifficulty: ExpertLoop
Lookout Point Trail and Centennial Trail Loop

Lookout Point Trail and Centennial Trail Loop

Custer5.2 mi860 ftgain
TrailDifficulty: ModerateLoop
Prairie Vista Loop

Prairie Vista Loop

Hot Springs1.0 mi167 ftgain
TrailDifficulty: EasyOut & Back
Rankin Ridge Interpretive Trail

Rankin Ridge Interpretive Trail

Custer1.0 mi256 ftgain
TrailDifficulty: ModerateLoop
Wind Cave Canyon Trail

Wind Cave Canyon Trail

Custer3.8 mi518 ftgain
TrailDifficulty: ModerateOut & Back

Campgrounds

All campgrounds in Wind Cave National Park
Elk Mountain Campground

Elk Mountain Campground

Hot SpringsPricing varies — check with the operator
Campground State Park

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Hunting in this park

Hunting is generally prohibited in this National Park Service unit

Verify current park-specific rules with the National Park Service before planning any hunt. See NPS regulations

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