Photo: Downshifter, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Wind Cave is two parks in one. Below ground is one of the longest caves in the world, a maze of passages famous for boxwork, thin blades of calcite that form a honeycomb on the walls and ceilings. Above ground, rolling prairie and ponderosa hills are home to bison, elk, pronghorn and busy prairie dog towns. Book a cave tour for one half of your day and walk the grasslands for the other. The cave stays about 54 degrees all year, so bring a light jacket even in July.
TRAILS
1 OF 7
Natural Entrance Tour
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
0.7 mi
Elevation gain
300 stairs
Cave · Visitor Center — Start at the small natural opening where air rushes in or out depending on the weather, the very hole that led to the cave's discovery. Then follow the ranger down about 300 mostly descending stairs through passages lined with boxwork. You ride the elevator back up at the end. It's the best all-around tour for first-timers.
⚠︎ Ticketed ranger tour, offered spring through September. Book on Recreation.gov.
Photo: James St. John, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
2 OF 7
Garden of Eden Tour
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
0.25 mi
Elevation gain
150 stairs
Cave · Visitor Center — The shortest walking tour, and the one offered all year. You take the elevator down and see boxwork, cave popcorn and flowstone in about an hour. With 150 stairs it's the easiest choice for young kids and anyone short on time. The stairs can be steep and dim, so wear shoes with good grip.
⚠︎ Ticketed ranger tour. Runs year-round, with fewer times in winter.
Photo: National Park Service of the United States of America, public domain, Wikimedia Commons
3 OF 7
Fairgrounds Tour
Difficulty
Hard
Length
0.7 mi
Elevation gain
450 stairs
Cave · Visitor Center — The most demanding of the regular walking tours, with about 450 stairs, including one long flight of 89 steps. It visits both the upper and middle levels of the cave, with big rooms and walls crusted in popcorn and boxwork. Plan on about 90 minutes underground. Pick this one if you've done caves before and want to see more.
⚠︎ Ticketed ranger tour on a seasonal schedule. Check nps.gov/wica.
Photo: NPS Photo, public domain, Wikimedia Commons
4 OF 7
Rankin Ridge Trail
Difficulty
Easy
Length
1 mi loop
Elevation gain
200 ft
Prairie and hills · SD 87 north — A short loop to the highest point in the park, topped by a fire tower that's closed to climbing. On a clear day you can see across the Black Hills and out toward the Badlands. Interpretive signs along the way talk about the geology and fire. It's a perfect leg-stretch between the cave and Custer State Park.
Photo: NPS Photo, public domain, Wikimedia Commons
5 OF 7
Lookout Point and Centennial Loop
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
4.5 mi loop
Elevation gain
400 ft
Prairie and hills · Centennial trailhead, SD 87 — Link the Lookout Point, Highland Creek and Centennial trails for the park's best half-day hike. The loop crosses open prairie, dips through Beaver Creek and climbs to a viewpoint over the grasslands. Bison are common here, so scan ahead and give them at least 25 yards. Some creek crossings can be wet in spring.
Photo: DimiTalen, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
6 OF 7
Cold Brook Canyon Trail
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
2.8 mi
Elevation gain
350 ft
Prairie and hills · US 385 south — This trail starts in ponderosa forest, passes a prairie dog town and follows a small canyon down to the park's western fence. The prairie dogs are the stars: listen for their sharp alarm calls as you walk by. Look for hawks and the occasional coyote hunting the colony. It's an out-and-back, so the climb comes on the way home.
Photo: James St. John, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
7 OF 7
Prairie Vista Trail
Difficulty
Easy
Length
1 mi
Elevation gain
100 ft
Prairie and hills · Visitor Center — A gentle loop right from the visitor center into mixed-grass prairie, with signs about the plants and animals that live here. It's an easy way to fill time before your cave tour. Pronghorn and bison sometimes graze within sight. Leashed pets are welcome on this one.
Photo: James St. John, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Plan your Wind Cave trip
The Nova Bound app builds the whole trip around these trails: where to stay, where to charge, and what to see each day. Coming soon to the App Store.
Distances are round trip unless noted, from NPS.gov and rounded. Trails, permits and road openings change; always check nps.gov before you go. Trail write-ups by Nova Bound.