Elk Mountain Campground

Overview Elk Mountain Campground, straddles the edge of a ponderosa pine forest and open prairie, offering unique opportunities to view the diverse flora and fauna of the southern Black Hills. These campsites are available in both forested and open environments.

Campsites may be reserved all year through Recreation.gov. Reservations may be made 6 months in advance of your stay and same day reservations are available

Maximum combined length of campsites is 36 feet 

NOTE: This is a cashless campground. Only credit cards will be accepted through Recreation.gov or the Recreation.gov mobile app.

Recreation Hiking at Wind Cave

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.

Pet Friendly Hikes

If you are traveling with a furry friend, Wind Cave has two pet friendly trails. The Prairie Vista trail leaves from the Visitor Center and the Elk Mountain Trail leaves from the amphitheater at the Elk Mountain Campground. Both trails are approximatly 1 mile in length. 

Become a Wind Cave Junior Ranger

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.

Facilities This 63-site campground is open all year with sites available on a reservation basis from May to September 30th. In the off-season, only sites 15 through 35 are available. Sites 17 and 49 are handicap-accessible. Flush toilets and drinking water are available from late spring through early fall. Fees are half-price when water is not available. Ranger programs are offered most nights in the amphitheater during the summer. Two group campsites are able to be reserved 6 months out.  

Natural Features Wind Cave National Park protects two very different worlds - one deep within the earth, the other a sunlit world of many resources. Bison, elk, and other wildlife roam the rolling prairie grasslands and forested hillsides of one of America's oldest national parks. 

Visit Wind Cave's Natural Entrance

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.

Contact Info This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (605) 745-4600.

The visitor center is 11 miles (18 km) north of Hot Springs off US Hwy. 385, about 1/2 mile (.8 km) west of the highway. Do not rely exclusively on your GPS or Google Maps to find the campground. Routes can be misleading or incorrect. The coordinates for the Visitor Center are N43.55677 W103.47799 

From Rapid City, South Dakota:

Follow SD Hwy. 79 south approximately 50 miles (80 km) to US Hwy. 385. Turn right onto US Hwy. 385 north. Continue through Hot Springs another 6 miles (9.5 km) north into Wind Cave National Park. Once in the park follow signs to the visitor center for cave tours and general park information.

From Chadron, Nebraska:

Follow US Hwy. 385 north through Hot Springs, SD to the park. Once in the park follow signs to the visitor center for cave tours and general park information.

From Custer State Park:

Follow SD Hwy. 87 south into Wind Cave National Park. Once in the park follow signs to the visitor center for cave tours and general park information.