Best trails in Wind Cave National Park
As you might have guessed, Wind Cave National Park in western South Dakota is famous for its namesake cave. Wind Cave was the first cave to be designated as a national park! Wind Cave is one of the longest and most complex caves in the world, and one of the few places where you can see boxwork formations.
While many visitors only tour the cave, the park has more than %{30_miles} of hiking trails where you can explore the rugged beauty of the prairies and canyons at the southern end of the Black Hills. Bison, prairie dogs, elk, mule deer, and coyotes roam the mixed-grass prairie and ponderosa pine forest. Birding is another popular activity, especially in the canyons. Plus, Wind Cave has an open hike policy, which means you're free to hike off the designated trails.
Wind Cave National Park is open 24 hours a day, all year long. Spring and fall are the best seasons to hike for the most pleasant weather. Summer is the busiest season at the park, but the exposed landscape can make for some hot hiking conditions!
There is no entrance fee to hike in Wind Cave National Park. If you're interested in visiting the cave, there is a fee to reserve a spot on a ranger-led tour. You can purchase a ticket online in advance or in person at the visitor center.
Top trails
- (1370)•Moderate•1.0 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrThis loop is a short hike to the top of a ridge with expansive views of the surrounding landscape. You can see beautiful scenery and wildlife, including bison on this trail. There are many benches along the way to stop and rest and take in the views. Interpretive self-guide is available on the NPS app https://www.nps.gov/subjects/digital/nps-apps.htm
- (1065)•Moderate•4.8 mi•Est. 2–2.5 hrThis trail follows a portion of the 111-mile Centennial Trail which runs from Bear Butte to Wind Cave National Park. It ranges from easy prairie walking to treacherous rocky inclines and descents. It showcases the most beautiful views in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Keep an eye out for wildlife, including bison along this loop.
- (522)•Easy•0.9 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrThis is a great family-friendly and dog-friendly loop near the Wind Cave National Park Visitor Center. This trail takes you through prairie grasslands and has interpretive signs throughout so you can learn more about the area. Keep an eye out for wildlife, including prairie dogs. There are beautiful wildflowers in the summer.
- (559)•Easy•2.7 mi•Est. 1–1.5 hrThis is a short out and back along a pretty flat, packed dirt/prairie grass trail. There is little shade along this route, so it is recommended to hike on an overcast day, early in the morning, or in the evening. Keep an eye out for birds, butterflies, dragonflies, prairie dogs, and bison! If you are looking for a challenge, take a detour to the top of fossil ridge for beautiful views.
- (397)•Easy•3.6 mi•Est. 1–1.5 hrThis trail follows a service road and provides beautiful views of the prairie grasslands and interesting rock formations and canyon walls. This is a great place for bird-watching, since many bird species make their homes in the canyon walls. Keep an eye out for wildlife, including prairie dogs along the way.
- (135)•Easy•0.8 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrThe grassland and forest meet on this short and easy loop hiking trail. The trailhead is easy to find, and sits near the Elk Mountain campground, so this is a perfect little hike to do with the family if you're camping in the area. During September and October, elk may be heard bugling at dawn and dusk.
- (117)•Moderate•4.8 mi•Est. 2–2.5 hrThis is a quiet trail that is great if you want to escape the crowds and have some solitude in nature. The trail takes you through prairie grasslands, with beautiful views. This is a great trail for viewing wildlife, including elk, coyote, bison, and pronghorn. Hike this trail at sunrise or sunset for a better chance of seeing wildlife.
- (71)•Moderate•5.8 mi•Est. 2.5–3 hrThis trail follows a portion of the 111-mile Centennial Trail which runs from Bear Butte to Wind Cave National Park. It ranges from easy prairie walking to treacherous rocky inclines and descents. It showcases the most beautiful views in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Keep an eye out for wildlife along the way and wildflowers in the summertime.
- (82)•Moderate•10.0 mi•Est. 4.5–5 hrThe trail is mostly flat except for a moderately steep incline at the start and close to the end. This trail sees less use than some of the others in the park, so the trail can be hard to follow at times. Downloading offline maps is recommended. There is little shade on this trail so plan to hike early in the morning or evening to avoid the heat. Keep an eye out for the wildlife, including prairie dogs and bison along the way!
Visitor info
There are no entrance fees to enjoy the trails, scenic drives, and visitor center at Wind Cave National Park. All cave tours have associated fees and are not covered by the Federal Interagency Passes. Campground fees may be reduced by Senior and Access Interagency Pass holders.
There are no fees to drive through or hike in the park. Fees are only charged for cave tours.
Join millions of people who enjoy our National Parks with the "America the Beautiful" National Park & Federal Recreational Lands Pass, otherwise known as the Interagency Annual Pass. The pass is valid for a year's worth of visits from the month of purchase at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country.
Wind Cave National Park does not charge an entrance fee, but the Interagency Access Pass allows pass holders to receive a 50% discount on other park amenities, such as camping.
The Visitor Center is accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and has wheelchair accessible restrooms. Orientation films include closed captioning.
Ranger-led cave tours have a wheelchair accessible option, and ASL interpreters are available by reservation. Please contact the park at least 2 weeks in advance to make a reservation for interpretation services.
Additional information about accessibility at Wind Cave National Park can be found on their website: https://www.nps.gov/wica/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm.
The Visitor Center is accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and has wheelchair accessible restrooms. Orientation films include closed captioning.
The Picnic Area north of the visitor center is wheelchair accessible with packed, level paths and surfaces.
The campground has 2 individual wheelchair accessible camping sites (B2 and D3).
Service animals must be on-leash throughout the park.
