Wind Cave National Park: Alerts, Crowd Calendar, Map & Trailie

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.

3 current NPS alerts

Information: Natural Entrance Tour Route Closes For Season October 1, 2026
Information: Centennial Trailhead Parking
Information: Wind Cave moves to cashless fee collection

Source: National Park Service (as of Nov 11, 2026). Official Wind Cave National Park page on nps.gov

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

Planning Wind Cave

The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Alerts and Permits for live updates.

TrailVerse lists 8 reservation types on the Permits tab, including Wind Cave National Park Tours and Accessibility Tour. Recreation.gov listings can change seasonally — confirm current rules before you set dates.