Things to do in Wind Cave National Park
A Black Hills park protecting one of the world great cave systems beneath mixed-grass prairie, bison range, ponderosa forest, and rolling limestone hills.
Best months: May, June, September, October
What is worth your time in Wind Cave National Park
Natural Entrance Cave TourDo not miss
This classic tour explains the cave natural opening, wind, boxwork, and early exploration story.
Cave Tour · 1.4 hr4.6
Garden of Eden Cave TourDo not miss
The shorter cave route is the best option for families or visitors with limited time.
Cave Tour · 1.1 hr
Elk Mountain Nature Trail
The campground loop is an easy forest-and-prairie walk that works well before or after a cave tour.
Hike · 1 hr5
Sanctuary Trail
This longer open-country hike is a good choice for solitude and prairie wildlife viewing.
Hike · 4 hr5
Centennial Trail
The park segment of the Centennial Trail crosses open prairie, forest edges, and wildlife country.
Hike · 4 hr4.8
Rankin Ridge Trail
The short loop reaches the park high point with a fire tower and broad Black Hills views.
Hike · 1.3 hr4.7
Lookout Point Trail
This prairie hike offers rolling-grassland views, solitude, and a better sense of the park above the cave.
Hike · 2.5 hr4.6
Wind Cave Visitor Center
The visitor center provides indoor exhibits, current tour availability, cave maps, and prairie ecology context.
Ranger Program · 45 min4.6
Cold Brook Canyon Trail
The canyon-side route gives a quieter look at mixed-grass prairie and limestone draws.
Hike · 2 hr4.4
Bison Flats
The prairie roads around Bison Flats are excellent for seeing bison, prairie dogs, pronghorn, and open grassland.
Wildlife · 1.1 hr
Fairgrounds Cave Tour
This longer tour explores deeper cave passages and more complex boxwork when scheduled.
Cave Tour · 1.8 hr
Gobbler Ridge Trail
This less-used trail crosses rolling prairie where wildlife and quiet are the main rewards.
Hike · 2.5 hr
Highland Creek Trail
The long backcountry route offers the most ambitious prairie-and-forest day hike in the park.
Hike · 8.5 hr
Prairie Vista Trail
This easy loop near the visitor center introduces prairie plants, wildlife habitat, and open Black Hills views.
Hike · 45 min
And 1 more, which the planner picks between based on your dates, pace and what you are into.
Worth knowing
- Wind Cave is famous for rare boxwork cave formations, ranger-led cave tours, bison and prairie dog habitat, and one of the oldest national park landscapes.