Elk Mountain Campground

Wind Cave National Park

Elk Mountain Campground, straddles the edge of a ponderosa pine forest and open prairie, offering unique opportunities to view the diverse flora and fauna of the southern Black Hills. These campsites are available in both forested and open environments.

May 20 to September 30: Customers can reserve reservations in advace or for the same day.
October 1 to May 19: Elk Mountain Campground is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors must arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you can pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app. The QR code is located at the campgroudn kiosk. Please download the Recreation.gov mobile app before you leave for your trip (see our "Need to Know" tab for more information).

NOTE: This is a cashless campground. Only credit cards will be accepted through Recreation.gov or the Recreation.gov mobile app.

This 63-site campground is open all year with sites available on a reservation basis from May 20th to September 30th. In the off-season, only B-loop is available. Sites 17 and 49 are handicap-accessible. Flush toilets and drinking water are available from late spring through early fall. Fees are half-price when water is not available. Ranger programs are offered most nights in the amphitheater during the summer. Two group campsites are able to be reserved 10 months out.

Notifications and Alerts

Due to a complete replacement and modernization of our elevator system, we expect tours of Wind Cave to be closed beginning in late spring and continuing through September. There will still be plenty of things to do at the park including viewing new exhibits. Installation of our new exhibits is on-going and will be finished by April. These new exhibits tell a more inclusive story of this land using interpretive panels, video clips, and hands-on exhibits that are all fully accessible. Using LIDAR technology, rangers will be offering virtual cave tours in the visitor center auditorium throughout the summer.

Please call the Visitor Center at 605-745-4600 with any questions.

Need to Know

Elk Mountain Campground Reservations

o In the peak season (May 20th-Septempber 30th), all sites are available. You may book sites in advance or use same-day booking. However, you must reserve and pay for your site on Recreation.gov before occupying it.

o In the off-season (October 1st-May 19th), B-loop sites will be available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Loops A, C & D will be closed for the winter. Water is not availabe during this time. Please download the free Recreation.gov mobile app on Android or iOS prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service. Once on-site, you will pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the mobile app. The QR code is located at the information kiosk. Wireless internet is available at the information kiosk

o Once payment is made on-site, we do not offer refunds or modifications. So be sure to pay day to day if your plans could change.
Fire/Stove Policy: Open fires and charcoal fires are prohibited unless they are in a designated fire grate. Fires are allowed in designated fire rings only and must not be left unattended. Extinguish all fires completely before leaving your campsite. Wood collection is not allowed, but firewood is available near the registration board.
Water. Flush toilets and drinking water are available from late spring through early fall. Fees are half-price when water is not available. There are no showers at the campground.
Check in and Check out. Check-in time is 1:00 p.m. Check-out time is 12:00 p.m.
Maximum Stay. An individual may stay a maximum of 14 consecutive nights, no more than 30 total nights during the calendar year.
Maximum Capacity. A maximum of two tents, 8 people, and 1 vehicle is permitted on each site. The group camping sites require a minimum of 9 people and a maximum of 30.
Quiet Hours. Campground quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. The campground is closed to persons other than registered campers from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Generators may only be used from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Pets. All pets must be properly leashed.
Speed Limit. The speed limit inside the campground is 15 MPH.

Natural Features

Wind Cave National Park protects two very different worlds - one deep within the earth, the other a sunlit world of many resources. Bison, elk, and other wildlife roam the rolling prairie grasslands and forested hillsides of one of America's oldest national parks.

Visit Wind Cave's Natural Entrance

You can still see the largest natural opening into Wind Cave without going on a tour. This small hole is one of the only known natural entrances into the cave. Lakota oral tradition speaks of how the first bison and humans emerged from this deeply spiritual place.

Recreation

Hiking at Wind Cave

View rolling prairie vistas, ponderosa forests, and see wildlife in its natural environment. Wind Cave National Park has over 30 miles of hiking trails on the surface and provides visitors the opportunity to view pristine Black Hills scenery. Find out which trail is the best for you.

Pet Friendly Hikes

If you are traveling with a furry friend, Wind Cave has two pet friendly trails. Both are close to the visitor center and about one mile in length.

Become a Wind Cave Junior Ranger

Kids of all ages can become a Wind Cave Junior Ranger. Complete the activity book, learn about the park, and take the pledge to earn a Junior Ranger badge.

Contact Information

Mailing

26611 US Highway 385 Hot Springs SD 57747

Physical

26611 US-385 Hot Springs SD 57747

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 605-745-4600

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

The visitor center is 11 miles (18 km) north of Hot Springs off US Hwy. 385, about 1/2 mile (.8 km) west of the highway. Do not rely exclusively on your GPS or Google Maps to find the campground. Routes can be misleading or incorrect. The coordinates for the Visitor Center are N43.55677 W103.47799

From Rapid City, South Dakota:

Follow SD Hwy. 79 south approximately 50 miles (80 km) to US Hwy. 385.
Turn right onto US Hwy. 385 north. Continue through Hot Springs another 6 miles (9.5 km) north into Wind Cave National Park.
Once in the park follow signs to the visitor center for cave tours and general park information.

From Chadron, Nebraska:

Follow US Hwy. 385 north through Hot Springs, SD to the park.
Once in the park follow signs to the visitor center for cave tours and general park information.

From Custer State Park:

Follow SD Hwy. 87 south into Wind Cave National Park.
Once in the park follow signs to the visitor center for cave tours and general park information.

Available Campsites

Photo Gallery

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