Wind Cave National Park Custom Search One of the world's longest and most complex caves and 28,295 acres of mixed-grass prairie, ponderosa pine forest, and associated wildlife are the main features of the park. The cave is well known for its outstanding display of boxwork, an unusual cave formation composed of thin calcite fins resembling honeycombs. The park's mixed grass prairie is one of the few remaining and is home to native wildlife such as bison, elk, pronghorn, mule deer, coyotes, and prairie dogs.     CONTACTS Email - phyllis_cremonini@nps.gov Fax- 605-745-4207 Write to RR 1 Box 190 Hot Springs, SD 57747-9430 Phone Visitor Information - 605-745-4600 TRAVEL BASICS Operating Hours, Seasons Park open year-round. Visitor center open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas Days. Visitor center hours: January 1 to April 7, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; April 8 to May 6, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; May 7 to June 3, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; June 4 to August 19, 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; August 20 to September 23, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; September 24 to October 7, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; October 8 to Spring 2002, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Getting There PLANE - Nearest commerical airport is in Rapid City, SD. CAR - Visitors traveling on I-90: At Rapid City, SD, exit onto U.S. Route 79 south. Follow Route 79 south approximately 50 miles to U.S. Route 18. Turn right onto U.S. Route 385 North, which will take you through Hot Springs and into Wind Cave National Park. Follow signs to the visitor center for cave tours and general park information. Visitors can also reach the park by following U.S. Route 16 west out of Rapid City onto U.S. Route 385 south. Visitors traveling from Nebraska can follow U.S. Route 385 north to the park. Please note that S.D. Route 87 south from Custer State Park into Wind Cave National Park is closed because of construction in Custer State Park. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - No public transportation serves the park. Weather & Climate Spring and fall weather are the most variable with cool, damp days alternating with dry, warm ones. Summers are generally sunny, hot, and dry. Winters are generally mild with little snow, but occasional sub-zero temperatures can be expected. Dress appropriately for the season. Persons touring the cave should wear low-heeled walking shoes with nonskid soles and a lightweight jacket or sweater. The cave is 53? Fahrenheit (12? Celsius). Accessibility The visitor center, including two exhibit rooms and restrooms, is accessible. Campground restrooms and one campsite are accessible. Limited areas of the cave are accessible to wheelchairs. Getting Around There are 30 miles of hiking trails in the park. U.S. Route 385, S.D. Route 87 and two backcountry roads make much of the park accessible to motor vehicles. Two trails, the Rankin Ridge Trail and the Elk Mountain Trail are self-guiding nature trails with trail booklets. Permits BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING Free! All backcountry campers must have a backcountry use permit in their possession. These permits are free and can be obtained at the Wind Cave visitor center information desk or at the Centennial trailheads. Permits help park managers gather information needed to make wise resource management decisions. Because the mission of the park service is to preserve and protect the natural resources, a variety of needs must be considered. CAMPING Elk Mountain Campground offers campers a unique opportunity to view the plants and animals of the southern Black Hills. Campers, whether in a tent or a motor home, are responsible for maintaining the natural state of these habitats. After camping, leave a site you would like to visit again. CAMPING Elk Mountain Campground Elk Mountain Campground, with 75 campsites, is located one mile from the visitor center. The campground has flush toilets and running water during the summer months. There are no showers, dump stations, or electrical hookups. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. FACILITIES Visitor Centers WIND CAVE VISITOR CENTER Open All Year Phone - 605-745-4600 Location - Visitors traveling on I-90: At Rapid City, SD, exit onto U.S. Route 79 south. Follow Route 79 south approximately 50 miles to U.S. Route 18. Turn right onto U.S. Route 385 North, which will take you through Hot Springs and into Wind Cave National Park. Follow signs to the visitor center for cave tours and general park information. Visitors can also reach the park by following U.S. Route 16 west out of Rapid City onto U.S. Route 385 south. Visitors traveling from Nebraska can follow U.S. Route 385 north to the park. Closures - Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day Special Programs - Park open year-round. Visitor center open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas Days. Visitor center hours: January 1 to April 7, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; April 8 to May 6, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; May 7 to June 3, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; June 4 to August 19, 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; August 20 to September 23, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; September 24 to October 7, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; October 8 to Spring 2002, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Exhibits - The Visitor Center contains three exhibit rooms featuring cave exploration, cave formations, early cave history, the Civilian Conservation Corps, park wildlife, and resource management.   Map Detailed Map Contact Info Phone, Email, Address, GPS coordinates Campgrounds Nearby List of Nearby Campgrounds Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Wind Cave National Park.   Campgrounds Near Wind Cave National Park: Larive Lake Resort, Hot Springs, 2 miles away Allen Ranch Tipi and Campgrounds, Hot Springs, 2 miles away Kemo Sabay Campground, Hot Springs, 2 miles away Hot Springs KOA Kampground, Hot Springs, 4 miles away Elk Mountain Campgrounds, Custer County, 7 miles away Rifle Pit Campground, Custer County, 9 miles away Country Charm Cabins and Corrals, Pringle, 12 miles away   Hotels Near Wind Cave National Park: Americas Best Value Inn, Hot Springs , 0 miles away Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Hot Springs, Hot Springs , 0 miles away Super 8 Hot Springs, Hot Springs , 0 miles away Usa Stay Hotel Suites, Hot Springs , 0 miles away Budget Host Hills Hot Springs, Hot Springs , 1 miles away Best Western Sundowner Inn, Hot Springs , 1 miles away State Game Lodge, Custer , 19 miles away   Trails Near Wind Cave National Park: Centennial Trail, Custer County , 11 miles away Norbeck Trail, Custer County , 20 miles away   Ski Areas Near Wind Cave National Park: Terry Peak, South Dakota , 52 miles away, 1100 foot drop, 6 lifts, 24 runs   Whitewater Near Wind Cave National Park: Battle Creek, Pennington County , 27 miles away, Class III-IV(V) - 4 miles long (Harney to Hayward)   Public Lands Near Wind Cave National Park: Jewel Cave National Monument, Custer - SD , 19 miles away Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Keystone - SD , 27 miles away Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, Harrison - NE , 45 miles away Angostura Recreation Area, South Dakota , 7 miles away Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve, South Dakota , 7 miles away Custer State Park, South Dakota , 27 miles away Fort Robinson State Park, Nebraska , 36 miles away   Golf Courses Near Wind Cave National Park: Southern Hills Municipal Golf, Hot Springs , 0 miles away Rocky Knolls Golf Course, Custer , 19 miles away   Lakes Near Wind Cave National Park Angostura Reservoir, Fall River County , 5 miles away Bismark Lake, Custer County , 17 miles away