Summary
$0
Surface entrance fee
Historic Crowd Data
Avg. monthly visitors, 2015–2024 · National Park Service
Light
Moderate
Busy
Very Busy
Peak season is June–August, when around 55% of annual visitors arrive. For lighter crowds, aim for October–April.
Plan Your Visit
Surface Wildlife SafetyBison, 35 mph▾
Cave Entry & ToursFree surface, paid tours▾
Tour Options$7 – $45▾
Garden of Eden Tour
Shortest, easiest introduction — $7–$14
Natural Entrance Tour
Most popular, moderate walking — $8–$16
Fairgrounds Tour
Longer, more strenuous route — $8–$16
Candlelight Tour
Lantern-lit, undeveloped passages, age 8+ — $16
Wild Cave Tour
Crawling/caving in gear, age 16+ — $45
Things to Do5 categories▾
Ranger-Guided Cave Tours6 tours▾
Garden of Eden Tour1 hr · Moderate
Shortest, easiest tour; 150 stairs that can be steep, slippery and dimly lit
Natural Entrance Tour1 hr 15 min · Moderate
Most popular route, descending through the historic natural entrance passage; 300 stairs
Fairgrounds Tour1 hr 30 min · Strenuous
Extensive boxwork viewing; 450 stairs including one 89-step flight
Candlelight Tour2 hrs · Strenuous
Lantern-lit walk through undeveloped passages with no handrails; min. age 8, groups capped at 10, phone reservation only
Wild Cave TourUp to 4 hrs · Very Strenuous
Full caving experience, mostly crawling in provided gear; min. age 16, groups capped at 6, phone reservation only
Accessibility Tour30 min · Easy
Level route near the elevator with no stairs; call ahead to arrange
Hiking Trails11 trails▾
Prairie Vista TrailEasy
Loop with interpretive waysides through prairie grassland near the visitor center
1 mi RT
Elk Mountain TrailEasy
Loop where grassland meets forest; elk bugling often audible Sep–Oct
1 mi RT
Rankin Ridge TrailEasy
Loop to the park's highest point with possible Badlands views (fire tower closed to public)
1 mi RT
Wind Cave Canyon TrailEasy
Former road following the canyon to the park boundary, past nesting-bird cliffs
1.8 mi
Cold Brook Canyon TrailModerate
Crosses a prairie dog town as ponderosa forest gives way to open prairie
1.4 mi
Lookout Point TrailModerate
Can be combined with the Highland Creek & Centennial trails for a 4.5-mi loop
2.2 mi
East Bison Flats TrailStrenuous
Steep climb via Wind Cave Canyon Trail to panoramic prairie views
3.7 mi
Sanctuary TrailStrenuous
Crosses a large prairie dog town; connects to Highland Creek Trail
3.6 mi
Boland Ridge TrailStrenuous
Series of climbs with Black Hills and plains views; frequent elk sightings
2.6 mi
Centennial TrailStrenuous
Southernmost stretch of a 111-mile Black Hills trail; no overnight parking without a camping permit
6 mi
Highland Creek TrailStrenuous
Longest, most diverse trail — crosses prairie, forest, and Highland/Beaver Creek riparian habitat
8.6 mi
Wildlife Viewing3 hotspots▾
Bison Flats & Hwy 385Dawn & dusk best
Herds often cross the highway here, creating "bison jams"; stay 25+ yards back at all times
NPS 5 & 6 Backcountry RoadsPassenger-car friendly
Gravel roads through the northeastern prairie with frequent bison, pronghorn & prairie dog town sightings
Boland RidgeAccess via NPS 6
Home to one of the park's elk herds, with bugling audible Sep–Oct; reached via NPS 6
Scenic Driving1 route▾
Geology Driving Tour60–90 min
Self-guided 20-mile route along the park's western & northern sides, ending at an overlook on gravel road NPS 5; two stops require short, flat walks
Bird WatchingTop 5 species▾
Western Meadowlark
Prairie fence lines
Golden Eagle
Soaring overhead
Burrowing Owl
Prairie dog towns
Mountain Bluebird
Prairie Vista Trail
Red-headed Woodpecker
Elk Mtn Campground
CampingElk Mountain▾
Elk Mountain CampgroundReservation▾
Fee$24/night ($12 when water is off, Oct–May)
Discount50% off with Senior/Access Pass
Park Contact Information