Wind Cave National Park
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Wind Cave at a glance
- Best time
- March–May, September–October
- Trip length
- 1–2 days
- Don't miss
- Main Wind Cave highlights — see Things to Do for current listings
- Nearby city
- Hot Springs, SD
Explore this park
About Wind Cave National Park
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. Below the remnant island of intact prairie sits Wind Cave, one of the longest and most complex caves in the world.
Weather Information
- Spring
Highs range from 50-70°F with highly variable weather.
- Summer
Hot and generally dry with daytime temperatures regularly exceeding 80°F (27°C).
- Fall
Generally dry with warm days and cool nights.
- Winter
Highs are in the high 30s with lows around 10°F.
Spring is the park's wettest season. Strong thunderstorms are common and can produce large hail and lightning. Lows below freezing are common. Snowfall averages 30 inches annually, periodically closing park roads.
Operating Hours
The park is open all day, every day. Snow or severe weather can limit access to some areas of the park, especially in winter. Visitor Center hours and cave tour schedules vary throughout the year. Visit the park website or call 605.745.4600 for current conditions.
- MondayAll Day
- TuesdayAll Day
- WednesdayAll Day
- ThursdayAll Day
- FridayAll Day
- SaturdayAll Day
- SundayAll Day
Common questions
Planning Wind Cave
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics.
Wind Cave has Recreation.gov reservations including Wind Cave National Park Tours. About 606k recreation visits were recorded in 2025. Confirm current rules on Recreation.gov and the Permits tab before travel.
See Permits tab →
