Wind Cave National Park
Wind Cave National Park
26611 US Highway 385
Hot Springs, SD 57747
Cave Tour Prices Below
43.5565569, -103.4782966
Located an hours drive southwest of Rapid City, and a 10 minute drive from Custer State Park, is one of the longest and most complex caves in the world. Wind Cave National Park is one of the oldest parks in the country and showcases beauty both above and below the surface. Above ground, visitors can explore 28,000 acres of mixed-grass prairie, hike on 30 miles of trail, picnic or camp. Below the surface, ranger-guided tours wind through narrow passageways filled with intricate box work and other geological phenomenons.
Mid April - Late May:
8am - 5:00pm
Memorial Day Weekend - Late September
8am - 6pm
Late September - Early October:
8am - 5pm
Early October - Late April:
8am - 4:30pm
There are more than 30 miles of hiking trails located in Wind Cave National Park. These trails vary from easy to strenuous, winding through mixed grass prairie and pine forests, revealing natural wonders and an abundance of wildlife including bison elk and mountain lions. Trail maps are available at the Visitor Center.
TRAIL FACTS
- Shorter nature trails include Elk Mountain, Prairie Vista and Rankin Ridge.
- Rankin Ridge leads to the highest point in the park.
- Centennial Trail (#6/89) is a six mile segment of the longest trail in the Black Hills.
- Highland Creek (#7) winds along creeks and Wind Cave Canyon, creating the most diverse trail in the park.
- Boland Ridge offers scenic views of the Black Hills in one direction and the Great Plains in the other.
Garden of Eden Cave Tour
The least strenuous tour, Garden of Eden Tour, gives participants views of beautiful cave formations including boxwork, cave popcorn and flowstone.
- $10 - Adults 17 & older
- $5 - For Children 6-16 and Senior/Access Passports
- Free - 5 and Under
Natural Entrance Cave Tour
See where the cave was discovered and learn how Wind Cave got its name. Natural Entrance Tour takes place through the middle level of the cave.
- $12 - Adults 17 & older
- $6 - For Children 6-16 and Senior/Access Passports
- Free - 5 and Under
Fairgrounds Cave Tour
The Fairgrounds Tour is Wind Cave’s most strenuous walking tour that offers discovery of larger rooms throughout the upper and middle levels of the cave.
- $12 - Adults 17 & older
- $6 - For Children 6-16 and Senior/Access Passports
- Free - 5 and Under
Candlelight Cave Tour
Historic Candlelight Tour allows exploration of the less developed, unlit part of the cave.
- $12 - Adults 17 & older
- $6 - For Children 8*-16 and Senior/Access Passports
* Minimum age for Candlelight Tour is 8 years old
Reservations Recommended
Wild Cave Tour
Undeveloped cave exploration, the Wild Cave Tour involves crawling on uneven surfaces and low-ceiling encounters.
- $30 - Adults 17 & older
- $15 - For Senior/Access Passports
* Minimum age for Wild Cave Tour is 17 years old
Reservations are required by phone, 30 days in advance of the tour
