Wind Cave National Park Parks and Outdoors Vacations

Wind Cave National Park Parks and Outdoors Travel Guide

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Caving in Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota
Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota (courtesy, National Park Service )

Wind Cave National Park Parks and Outdoors Highlights

By Travel Expert: Brian Kevin
  • Stick around for a while after you visit the namesake cave. Above ground you'll find rolling prairie, interesting rock formations, and beautiful pine forests open to exploration. The park is also home to native wildlife such as bison, elk, pronghorn, mule deer, coyotes, and prairie dogs.
  • Elk Mountain Campground near the visitor center is the only front-country camping option at Wind Cave. Nab a first-come, first-serve spot in one of the campground's west loops to be nearer to the short Elk Mountain Nature Trail.
  • The rugged Rankin Ridge slices the skyline to your east as you drive north along Highway 87. Get a closer look on the mile-long interpretive trail that starts five miles north of the road's junction with Highway 385. Climb the trail's firetower to take in most of the Black Hills with a glance.
  • Three strips of well-maintained road open up the park to wheeling spectators. Wildlife Loop Road, Iron Mountain Road, and Needles Highway dip into the backcountry's pine-spruce forests, open meadows, and rock-tipped mountains and pillars of granite. Cyclists will adore the rolling ride; motorists should beware the narrow and low tunnels.

Wind Cave National Park Overview

For several centuries, American Indians have told stories of holes in the Black Hills through which the wind would blow and howl. But the first recorded discovery of Wind Cave came in 1881 when brothers Jesse and Tom Bingham were lured to the cave by a whistling noise. As the legend goes, the wind was rushing from the cave entrance with such force...

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Hotels

expert favorite hotel
Sojourner Inn
1729 Minnekahta Ave.
Hot Springs, SD 57747
Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Distance: 8.4 Miles
(from destination center)
Parks Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Parks and Outdoors travel Active and Adventure travel
from: $90 compare hotel rates expert favorite hotel
The Lodge at Palmer Gulch
12620 Hwy 244
Hill City, SD 57745
Hotel Class: 3 class stars
Distance: 23.9 Miles
(from destination center)
Parks Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Parks and Outdoors travel
from: $91 compare hotel rates expert favorite hotel
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites HOT SPRINGS
1401 HWY. 18 BYPASS
Hot Springs, SD 57747
Hotel Class: 3 class stars
Distance: 9.1 Miles
(from destination center)
Parks Expert Rating
3.0 out of 5
3.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
4.5 out of 5 8 reviews
4.5 out of 5
Recommended for:
Parks and Outdoors travel Active and Adventure travel
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Attractions

expert favorite attraction
Angostura Recreation Area
10 miles SE of Hot Springs off US Hwy. 385/18
13157 N. Angostura Rd.
Hot Springs, South Dakota 57747 Map
Distance: 8.5 Miles (from destination center)
Description: Angostura Reservoir is a recreation area offering... Read More
Parks Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Parks and Outdoors travel Active and Adventure travel
expert favorite attraction
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
southwestern South Dakota, 100 miles from Badlands National Park
Keystone, South Dakota 57751 Map
Distance: 22.2 Miles (from destination center)
Description: Four presidential faces carved from a mountain, considered one of the wonders of the world -- go for the nightly lighting ceremony.... Read More
Parks Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Parks and Outdoors travel Family travel
expert favorite attraction
Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary
14 miles south of Hot Springs off Hwy. 71
P.O. Box 998
Hot Springs, South Dakota 57747 Map
Distance: 8.5 Miles (from destination center)
Description: The Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary spans 11,000... Read More
Parks Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Parks and Outdoors travel Active and Adventure travel
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Feature Articles

  • The Best of the Rest
    outside
    How To Get Off the Beaten Trail (or River, or Mountain) With These 43 Soon-To-Be-Classic National Park Adventure
See All Feature Articles on Wind Cave National Park

Wind Cave National Park Parks and Outdoors Travel Guides

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