Wind Cave National Park Things to Do

Wind Cave Canyon trail is an easy, 3.6 mi (5.7 km) round-trip, hike.This trail follows an old road down Wind Cave Canyon to the park boundary. Limestone cliffs provide nesting areas for cliff swallows, canyon wrens, and great horned owls. Look for Red-headed and Lewis's woodpeckers among the snap trees of forested hillsides. Trail Safety Hiking off trail is permitted. Watch out for wildlife. Bison and other wildlife are dangerous and unpredictable. Do not approach. Carry and drink plenty of water. There is no drinking water on this trail. Check the weather forecast before you hike. Bring extra layers. A topographic map is recommended and can be purchased at the visitor center park store.

Stop #5 on Wind Cave's geology driving tour.

Stop #6 on Wind Cave's geology driving tour.

The final stop on Wind Cave's geology driving tour.

The park store is operated by the Black Hills Parks and Forests Association (BHPFA), an official non-profit partner of the National Park Service dedicated to supporting the educational mission of Wind Cave National Park. The park store has a wide range of educational products and services available for retail sale. These products complement the interpretive themes you experience when visiting the park. The park store is located at the visitor center, or you can visit the online park store blackhillsparks.org.

Boland Ridge is a strenuous, 5.2 mi (8.4 km) round-trip, hike. The trail begins at a small parking area on NPS 6, one mile north of the junction with NPS 5. A series of climbs offer panoramic views of the Black Hills, Red Valley, and the plains beyond. Elk are often seen from this trail. Hiking Safety Hiking off trail is permitted. Watch out for wildlife. Bison and other wildlife are dangerous and unpredictable. Do not approach. Carry and drink plenty of water. There is no drinking water on this trail. Check the weather forecast before you hike. Bring extra layers.

The Centennial trail is part of a 111 mile (178 km) trail that begins in Bear Butte State Park and ends at Wind Cave. The 6 mile segment (one-way) of the Centennial trail at Wind Cave is moderately strenuous and can be accesses from SD HWY 87 or from NPS 5. Here, this trail crosses through prairies, ponderosa forests, and winds along Beaver Creek. Overnight backcountry camping is allowed in the northern areas of the park with a free backcountry permit. Please visit the visitor center to pick up your permit. More information can be found here. Hiking Safety Hiking off trail is permitted. Watch out for wildlife. Bison and other wildlife are dangerous and unpredictable. Do not approach. Carry and drink plenty of water. There is no drinking water on this trail. Check the weather forecast before you hike. Bring extra layers.

East Bison Flats is a 3.7 mi (5.9 km) one-way, moderately strenuous hiking trail. Begin this trail on US Highway 385, right near the south entrance of the park at Gobbler Pass. After a short climb, hikers will be rewarded with the rolling hills of the prairie. Panoramic views of the prairie, Buffalo Gap and the Black Hills await. This trail can also be accessed by hiking one-half mile down the Wind Cave Canyon Trail to reach the East Bison Flats Trail. Trail Safety Hiking off trail is permitted. Watch out for wildlife. Bison and other wildlife are dangerous and unpredictable. Do not approach. Carry and drink plenty of water. There is no drinking water on this trail. Check the weather forecast before you hike. Bring extra layers.

The second post stop of the Rankin Ridge Nature Trail.

Interp information about Post #6, Pondering the Ponderosa, of Elk Mountain Nature Trail at Wind Cave National Park.

Information about post stop #6 of the Rankin Ridge Nature Trail at Wind Cave National Park.

Interp info about post 8 of elk mountain nature trail at wind cave national park.

Interp information about post #8, The Busybody, along the Rankin Ridge Nature Trail.

Interp information about Post #9, Life in the Rocks, along the Rankin Ridge Nature Trail and Wind Cave National Park.

The Prairie Vista Nature Trail is an easy 1 mi (1.6 km) stroll that begins behind the visitor center. The trail passes the cave's natural entrance, and then meanders through the prairie grassland where there are waysides to read and learn. This trail can also be accessed from the picnic area about 0.15 of a mile from the visitor center. Leashed pets are permitted on this trail. Pets on Trail Pets must be leashed. Please clean up after your pet. Do not leave your pet in the car for any length of time. Trail Safety Hiking off trail is permitted. Watch out for wildlife. Bison and other wildlife are dangerous and unpredictable. Do not approach. Carry and drink plenty of water. There is no drinking water on this trail. Check the weather forecast before you hike. Bring extra layers.

Information about the fourth post stop of the Rankin Ridge Nature Trail.

Post #6 of Elk Mountain Nature Trail at Wind Cave National Park.

The fifth post-stop of the Rankin Ridge Nature Trail.

This moderately strenuous, 2.8 mile (4.6 km) round-trip, trail winds through Cold Brook Canyon to the park boundary. Along the way, a ponderosa forest gives way to the open prairie and crosses a prairie dog town, a good place to see prairie falcons and other raptors. Hiking Safety Hiking off trail is permitted. Watch out for wildlife. Bison and other wildlife are dangerous and unpredictable. Do not approach. Carry and drink plenty of water. There is no drinking water on this trail. Check the weather forecast before you hike. Bring extra layers.

The grassland and forest meet on this peaceful, 1 mile (1.6 km), pet friendly, trail around the campground. While hiking, follow along with the self-guided tour for this trail in the app. Pets on Trail Pets must be leashed at all times. Please clean up after your pet. Do not leave your pet in the car for any length of time. Trail Safety Hiking off trail is permitted. Watch out for wildlife. Bison and other wildlife are dangerous and unpredictable. Do not approach. Carry and drink plenty of water. There is no drinking water on this trail. Check the weather forecast before you hike. Bring extra layers.

This short but beautiful, 1 mile (1.6 km) hike, meanders through ponderosa trees and up to the highest point in the park. On clear days, you can see Badlands National Park and Buffalo Gap in the distance. While hiking, follow along with a self-guided tour, which can be found in the NPS app. Climbing up the historic fire tower is not permitted. No pets are permitted on this trail. Trail Safety Hiking off trail is permitted. Watch out for wildlife. Bison and other wildlife are dangerous and unpredictable. Do not approach. Carry and drink plenty of water. There is no drinking water available on this trail. Check the weather forecast before you hike. Bring extra layers.

Begin Wind Cave's geology driving tour at the cave's natural entrance located at the visitor center.

Post #3 of Elk Mountain Nature Trail at Wind Cave National Park.

The first post of the Rankin Ridge Nature Trail.

Post #4 of Elk Mountain Nature Trail at Wind Cave National Park.

Post #7, Beyond the Forest, marks the seventh stop along the Rankin Ridge Nature Trail.

Interp information for post #7 of Elk Mountain Nature Trail at Wind Cave National Park.

Interp information about post #9 of Elk Mountain Nature Trail at Wind Cave National Park.

Highland Creek is a moderately strenuous, 8.6 mile (13.8 km) one-way, trail. The trail can be reached by a 1-mile hike down the Wind Cave Canyon trail or from its northern trailhead on NPS 5. This trail is the longest and most diverse in the park, crossing mixed-grass prairies, ponderosa pine forests, and riparian habitats of Highland Creek, Beaver Creek, and Wind Cave Canyon. Hiking Safety Hiking off trail is permitted. Watch out for wildlife. Bison and other wildlife are dangerous and unpredictable. Do not approach. Carry and drink plenty of water. There is no drinking water on this trail. Check the weather forecast before you hike. Bring extra layers.

Lookout Point trail is a popular, moderately difficult trail that follows the rolling hills of the prairie across Lookout Point to Beaver Creek. A side trip up Lookout Point offers views of the American Elk Prescribed Fire from 2010. This trail can be combined with a section of the Highland Creek and Centennial trails to create a 4.5 mi (7.2 km) loop. Hiking Safety Hiking off trail is permitted. Watch out for wildlife. Bison and other wildlife are dangerous and unpredictable. Do not approach. Carry and drink plenty of water. There is no drinking water on this trail. Check the weather forecast before you hike. Bring extra layers.

Post stop #3 of Rankin Ridge Nature Trail at Wind Cave National Park.

Post #1, A "Lively" Place, of Elk Mountain Nature Trail at Wind Cave National Park.

Interp information about Post #10, Soil Formation, of the Rankin Ridge Nature Trail at Wind Cave National Park.

Interp information of post #11, the great prairie, of Rankin Ridge Nature Trail at Wind Cave National Park.

Interp information about post #12, fire maintains the balance, of Rankin Ridge Nature Trail at Wind Cave National Park.

Interp info about post #13, the fire tower, of Rankin Ridge Nature Trail at Wind Cave National Park.

Interp info about post #14, the final stop of the Rankin Ridge Nature Trail at Wind Cave National Park.

Post #2, Diversity as a Way of Life, marks the second stop along the Elk Mountain Nature Trail at Wind Cave National Park.

The Sanctuary trail is a moderately strenuous, 3.6 mile (5.8 km) one-way trail. The trailhead is about one mile (1.6 km) north of the Rankin Ridge fire tower turnoff. This trail follows the rolling hills of the prairie, crosses a large prairie dog town, and ends when it meets the Highland Creek trail. The Sanctuary trail can be combined with other trails to make a longer route. Hiking Safety Hiking off trail is permitted. Watch out for wildlife. Bison and other wildlife are dangerous and unpredictable. Do not approach. Carry and drink plenty of water. There is no drinking water on this trail. Check the weather forecast before you hike. Bring extra layers.

Stop #2 on Wind Cave's geology driving tour.

Stop #3 on Wind Cave's geology driving tour.

Stop #4 on Wind Cave's geology driving tour.

The geology driving tour is a great way to see the park while learning about the rich geologic history of the Black Hills. On this 20 mile long tour, you will travel back in time and view Wind Cave's rock record to get a glimpse into its past.

Looking for a quiet place to enjoy a picnic? Whether you're looking for a good picnic spot or just a place to eat lunch while waiting for a tour, the picnic area is open year-round from sunrise to sunset.

View some of North America's most iconic wildlife while enjoying Black Hills scenery. Wind Cave's combination of prairie and forest ecosystems allows visitors to view a number of animals in their natural environment.

You can still see the largest natural opening into Wind Cave without going on a tour. This small hole is one of the only known natural entrances into the cave. Lakota oral tradition speaks of how the first bison and humans emerged from this deeply spiritual place.

Visit one of the world's longest and most complex caves.

Information about the Prairie Dog of Wind Cave National Park.

In September and October, male elk can be heard as they bugle to challenge each other and attract females. This haunting sound is a sure sign that fall has arrived in the West. During this time of the year, visitors may be able to join a ranger to listen for these charismatic animals.

Kids of all ages can become a Wind Cave Junior Ranger. Complete the activity book, learn about the park, and take the pledge to earn a Junior Ranger badge.

View rolling prairie vistas, ponderosa forests, and see wildlife in its natural environment. Wind Cave National Park has over 30 miles of hiking trails on the surface and provides visitors the opportunity to view pristine Black Hills scenery. Find out which trail is the best for you.

If you are traveling with a furry friend, Wind Cave has two pet friendly trails. Both are close to the visitor center and about one mile in length.

Experienced hikers may enjoy camping in Wind Cave's scenic backcountry. Thousands of acres of undeveloped forest and prairie provide countless sites for hikers to pitch a tent and camp.

Explore Wind Cave by bike. Although bikes are limited to established roads, this is a great activity for those who want to take their time to sightsee in the park.

Wind Cave has many opportunities to view birds throughout the year. Although you can bird watch anywhere in the park, the Elk Mountain Campground and visitor center offer the best chances to see a diversity of species while visiting the park.

The sprawling prairies and open ponderosa woodlands of Wind Cave give horseback riders thousands of acres to explore. Though there are no facilities within the park that provide horses, visitors may fill out a free day permit to bring their own horses into the park.