Fairgrounds (Wind Cave)Strenuous cave tour packed with Wind Cave’s signature boxworkVisitor Center · Restroom
Wind Cave Visitor CenterHub for exhibits and every cave tour, plus a solid intro filmRestroom · Exhibit
Garden of Eden (Wind Cave)Shortest cave tour with standout boxwork and an easy paceVisitor Center · Restroom
Rankin Ridge Fire TowerHistoric fire lookout on the highest ridge with far-reaching viewsTrailhead · Parking
Rankin RidgeShort loop to the park’s highest views and a historic towerTrailhead · Parking
Elk Mountain CampgroundQuiet, year-round campground with wildlife and easy cave tour accessCampground · Restroom
Beaver Creek BridgeHistoric deck-arch bridge with big views and frequent bison cameosPullout · Scenic Viewpoint
Bookstore and Gift ShopBooks and souvenirs that fund Wind Cave programsRestroom · WiFi
ChallengingHighland Creek TrailLong, diverse prairie-to-pine trek with real solitude and bison13.3 mi · 5.3 hr
ModerateLookout PointRolling prairie loop with big views, prairie dogs, and bison.4.8 mi · 2 hr
ModerateLookout Point TrailPrairie-to-canyon loop with bison, prairie dogs, and a vanishing creek4.8 mi · 2 hr
EasyCentennial Trail (Wind Cave section)Sunlit prairie miles with bison and big-sky views.6 mi · 2.5 hr
ModerateEast Bison Flats TrailWide-open prairie views, bison odds, and real solitude.7.4 mi · 3.5 hr
ChallengingBoland Ridge TrailQuiet prairie ridge with big views and reliable wildlife5.2 mi · 2.3 hr
EasyRankin Ridge Nature TrailShort loop to a historic fire tower ridge with sweeping prairie views1 mi · 36 min
EasyCold Brook Canyon TrailShort prairie-and-canyon stroll with prairie dogs and raptors2.8 mi · 1 hr
BisonReports peak in the early evening, around 6 PM600 sightings
ElkReports peak in the early morning, around 6 AM58 sightings
PronghornReports peak in the early morning, around 7 AM254 sightings
Bighorn SheepReports peak in the early evening, around 6 PM13 sightings
CoyoteReports peak in the evening, around 7 PM123 sightings
Golden EagleReports peak in the afternoon, around noon25 sightings
Prairie RattlesnakeReports peak in the early evening, around 6 PM33 sightings
Prairie DogReports peak in the early morning, around 8 AM588 sightingsElk bugling programs will be held at 7:00 pm on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday each week beginning September 8th and run through October 4th. Meet a park ranger outside the visitor center before caravanning in your own vehicle to the listening spot.
Official details →Reminder: Overnight parking without a camping permit is prohibited. Permits are not issued specifically for parking. Shuttles are available in the Black Hills for through hikers on the Centennial Trail.
Payments for cave tours, campground fees, as well as Interagency Passes at Wind Cave National Park, will be by credit/ debit cards or digital payments only. Cash and check payments will no longer be accepted.
PARKWOLF TOUR GUIDE
