Overview

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.

• Campsites may be reserved all year through Recreation.gov. Reservations may be made 6 months in advance of your stay and same day reservations are available. 

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

Facilities

This 63-site campground is open all year with sites available on a reservation basis from May to September 30th. In the off-season, only sites 15 through 35 are 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 6 months out.  

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. The Prairie Vista trail leaves from the Visitor Center and the Elk Mountain Trail leaves from the amphitheater at the Elk Mountain Campground. Both trails are approximatly 1 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 Info

Important Notices

• Elk Mountain Campground Reservations

  o In the peak season (May - 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), sites 15 through 35 are available for booking on Recreation.gov. All other sties are closed for the winter. Water is not availabe during this time and there is a vault toilet. 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. Wireless internet is available at the information kiosk

  o Once payment is made on-site, we do not offer refunds, modifications may be made through Recreation.gov.

• 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, firewood is available for purchase in local communities. If a local fire ban is in place, information will be posted at the entrance kiosk. 

  • A fire may be ignited and maintained only by using fuel sources designed and commonly used for warmth or the preparation of food, such as charcoal briquettes or natural firewood. Lighting or maintaining a fire with other materials including, but not limited to, flammable liquids, garbage, fireworks, plastics, aerosol canisters, batteries, or other manufactured or synthetic materials, is prohibited.

• 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. RV's are prohibited at group sites. 

• Quiet Hours. Campground quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Generators may only be used from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Generators are prohibited in sites 1 through 15. The campground is closed to persons other than registered campers from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

• Pets. All pets must be properly leashed.  

• Speed Limit. The speed limit inside the campground is 15 MPH. 

Notifications and Alerts

• Attention: Loops A, C & D are closed from Oct. 1, 2025, to May 15, 2026, for the winter season. There is no potable water available in the campground during this time. Loop B remains open for reservations and potable water is available at the Visitor Center.

Directions

<p>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. <strong>Do not rely exclusively on your GPS or Google Maps to find the campground. </strong>Routes can be misleading or incorrect. The coordinates for the Visitor Center are N43.55677 W103.47799 </p> <p><strong>From Rapid City, South Dakota: </strong></p> <ul> <li>Follow SD Hwy. 79 south approximately 50 miles (80 km) to US Hwy. 385.</li> <li>Turn right onto US Hwy. 385 north. Continue through Hot Springs another 6 miles (9.5 km) north into Wind Cave National Park.</li> <li>Once in the park follow signs to the visitor center for cave tours and general park information.</li> </ul> <p><strong>From Chadron, Nebraska: </strong></p> <ul> <li>Follow US Hwy. 385 north through Hot Springs, SD to the park.</li> <li>Once in the park follow signs to the visitor center for cave tours and general park information.</li> </ul> <p><strong>From Custer State Park: </strong></p> <ul> <li>Follow SD Hwy. 87 south into Wind Cave National Park.</li> <li>Once in the park follow signs to the visitor center for cave tours and general park information.</li> </ul>

Contact Information

Phone: 605-745-4600

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip