Wind Cave National Park
Trailie
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Wind Cave at a glance
- Best time
- March–May, September–October
- Trip length
- 3–5 days
- Don't miss
- Visit Wind Cave's Natural Entrance
- Nearby city
- Hot Springs, SD
Explore this park
Permits & Reservations(8)
Wind Cave National Park Tours
ReserveWelcome to Wind Cave National Park, home to the world’s 7th longest cave and one of the world’s most complex maze-cave systems. Most cave rooms are small, connected by narrow passages with low ceilings. Boxwork, a rare and delicate cave formation, emerges from the cave walls and…
Accessibility Tour
ReserveAdmits one person to the cave's only no-stair tour.
Fairgrounds Tour (Fee Free Days)
ReserveNOTE: Fees are waived for this tour only on these Fee Free Days in 2022: April 16, August 4, September 24, November 11. Explore both the upper and middle levels of Wind Cave. This tour offers plenty for those wanting to see a variety of features on their tour with abundant boxwor…
Garden of Eden Tour
ReserveAdmits one person to the cave's 150-stair tour.
Garden of Eden Tour (Fee Free Days)
ReserveNOTE: Fees are waived for this tour only on these Fee Free Days in 2022: April 16, August 4, September 24, November 11. Intricate formations of frostwork and popcorn can be viewed up close in the tour’s namesake room. Boxwork, Wind Cave’s signature formation, and flowstone are al…
Natural Entrance Tour
ReserveAdmits one person to the cave's 300-stair tour.
Natural Entrance Tour (Fee Free Days)
ReserveNOTE: Fees are waived for this tour only on these Fee Free Days in 2022: April 16, August 4, September 24, November 11. Wind Cave’s largest natural opening is the reason for the cave’s namesake wind and has attracted visitors since time immemorial. Learn about the opening’s sacre…
Common questions
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.
