After a morning spent in the dramatic terrain of Badlands National Park, I decided to continue my South Dakota adventure by heading to Wind Cave National Park—my second national park of the day. The two parks are separated by about 123 miles, and the drive takes just under three hours. As I made my way south, the skies began to darken, casting a moody tone over the landscape and setting the stage for what would be a quietly awe-inspiring visit.

Wind Cave National Park, located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, is a fascinating destination known for its unique and expansive underground cave system. As one of the oldest national parks in the United States, it was established in 1903 to preserve the stunning limestone formations within Wind Cave, which is one of the longest and most complex caves in the world. The cave is famous for its intricate boxwork formations—delicate, honeycomb-like structures that are rare and found only in a few places globally. Visitors can take guided tours to explore the cave’s narrow passageways and vast chambers, learning about its geology and the history of its discovery.

Above ground, Wind Cave National Park offers a rich natural environment with mixed-grass prairies, ponderosa pine forests, and abundant wildlife. The park is home to bison, elk, prairie dogs, and bighorn sheep, which can be observed while hiking or driving the park’s scenic routes. The park’s diverse ecosystems provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and wildlife watching. With its combination of underground wonders and beautiful landscapes, Wind Cave National Park offers a unique experience that blends adventure, history, and natural beauty—making it a true hidden gem in the Black Hills.

Welcome to the Wild

My first order of business upon arrival was snapping a photo at the Wind Cave National Park sign. The overcast sky gave the scene an almost cinematic backdrop, and the soft lighting was perfect for photos. From there, I continued down the winding road toward the visitor center.

Visitor Info You’ll Want to Know

Wind Cave National Park Visitor Center

📍 26611 US Highway 385, Hot Springs, SD 57747

📞 (605) 745-4600

The visitor center is the heart of the park’s operations and a great starting point for any visit. Although it was later in the afternoon when I arrived, the center was still open. Some of the exhibits were closed for maintenance, but I was able to grab my National Parks Passport stamp.

Unfortunately, due to an elevator malfunction, access to the cave was suspended that day. While I was initially disappointed, I quickly realized that the park’s real magic doesn’t just lie below ground—it stretches across its prairies, hills, and forests, teeming with life. I walked over to the natural entrance of the cave and read about its “founders” and its significance to Native American communities.

How to Book a Cave Tour at Wind Cave National Park

Wind Cave offers several types of cave tours, each designed for different interests and ability levels. While tour availability can vary due to weather or maintenance (like the elevator issue during my visit), here’s what you need to know if the tours are operating during yours:

Available Tours

Garden of Eden Tour – Easy, one-hour tour with minimal stairs. Great for families or first-timers.
Natural Entrance Tour – The park’s most popular tour. About 75 minutes with around 300 stairs.
Fairgrounds Tour – A more strenuous 90-minute tour with 450 stairs and both upper and lower cave levels.
Accessibility Tour – A 30-minute tour designed for visitors with limited mobility.
Candlelight Tour – Summer-only, 2-hour tour by candlelight through undeveloped cave sections.
Wild Cave Tour – Summer-only, 4-hour off-trail experience. Strenuous, requires gear, and must be booked in advance.

How to Reserve a Spot

Online: You can book most tours (Garden of Eden, Natural Entrance, Fairgrounds, Accessibility) via Recreation.gov up to three days in advance.
Phone: Candlelight and Wild Cave Tours must be booked by calling the Visitor Center at (605) 745-4600 up to one month ahead.
Same-Day Tickets: About half of the tickets are reserved for walk-ins, but they go fast—arrive early if you’re hoping to snag one.

Tour Tips

Arrive at least 30 minutes early to check in.
The cave stays around 54°F (12°C) year-round, so bring a light jacket and wear sturdy shoes.
No backpacks, food, drinks, or tripods are allowed inside. Flash photography is okay (except on the Candlelight and Wild Cave Tours).
Some tours are strenuous. If you have mobility or respiratory issues, the Accessibility Tour is your best bet.

Wildlife Encounters That Stick With You

Driving through the park’s open terrain, I had one of those memorable wildlife encounters you don’t soon forget. I rounded a bend and came across some bison grazing in a nearby field. There’s something surreal about seeing these powerful animals roam freely, right where they belong. The prairie dogs were abundant too—I parked and watched them from the roadside as they chirped, popped in and out of burrows, and mingled among the grazing bison.

Just minutes later, one of those prairie dogs darted across the road in front of me. I hit the brakes hard—just barely avoiding what could’ve been a tragic moment. It was a vivid reminder of how alive this landscape is, and how careful we must be as guests in their home.

Who You Might Meet on the Prairie

Wind Cave National Park is one of the best places to experience mixed-grass prairie ecosystems and the wildlife that thrive there. Common sightings include:

American Bison – One of the few free-roaming, genetically pure herds in the U.S.
Pronghorn Antelope – Often seen grazing alongside bison in open meadows.
Elk and Mule Deer – More active at dawn and dusk in forested areas.
Prairie Dogs – Social and entertaining, their colonies are full of life.
Black-Footed Ferrets – Rarely seen, but successfully reintroduced to the park.
Plus: coyotes, foxes, and over 100 bird species.

Trails and Views Worth the Hike

Even without a cave tour, Wind Cave offers a variety of scenic hikes. Some of the best include:

Rankin Ridge Trail (1-mile loop): A short, steep trail leading to a fire lookout with sweeping views.
Lookout Point / Centennial Trail Loop (4.8 miles): A dynamic trail for wildlife sightings and photo ops.
Boland Ridge Trail (5 miles): Ideal for solitude and wide-open prairie views.
Cold Brook Canyon Trail (2.8 miles round trip): A tranquil, lesser-used canyon trail.

Many of these trails cut through bison territory and prairie dog towns, making them excellent for photography—especially in the soft light of early morning or late afternoon.

Where to Snap Your Best Shots 📸

Whether you’re into landscapes, wildlife, or documenting your national park checklist, Wind Cave delivers on visuals. Here are the best spots to capture it all:

Park Entrance Sign – Iconic and always a good place to start your photo journey.
Rankin Ridge Fire Tower – The park’s highest point, with panoramic views of the Black Hills.
Prairie Dog Towns – Bursting with activity—perfect for action shots and telephoto close-ups.
Bison Viewing Areas – Great for dramatic wildlife photography from a safe distance.
Lookout Point & Centennial Trail – Ideal for wide-angle landscape shots and potential wildlife cameos.
Cold Brook Canyon Trail – A peaceful, visually interesting trail, great for nature portraits or stills.
Natural Entrance to the Cave – Symbolic, historic, and surrounded by native vegetation.

Best Times to Shoot:

Golden Hour – Early morning and late evening light is ideal for landscape and wildlife shots.
Overcast Days – Soft, even light makes for excellent detail and texture capture.
After Rain – Dramatic skies, reflections, and richer colors.

Staying the Night? Here’s Where

Just over a mile from the visitor center, Elk Mountain Campground offers 75 sites tucked among ponderosa pines. Open year-round, the campground offers both first-come, first-served and reservable spots. Book ahead on Recreation.gov if you’re visiting during peak season.

Accessibility Information

Wind Cave aims to be accessible for all visitors:

The visitor center features ramps, accessible restrooms, and parking.
Some cave tours (when operational) are wheelchair-friendly.
Nearby trails include compacted surfaces suitable for those with mobility challenges.

Although I didn’t make it into the cave on this visit, I left Wind Cave National Park deeply impressed. From its rich history to the rolling prairies and close-up encounters with bison and prairie dogs, this park proved that its beauty doesn’t stop at the cave entrance—it spreads across every inch of the landscape.

If you’re road-tripping through the Black Hills or ticking off national parks in South Dakota, be sure to stop here. Bring your camera, stay alert (prairie dogs are fast), and give yourself the space to slow down and soak it all in.

#19 Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota