Wind Cave National Park
Information See 3 current alerts
Current alerts (3)
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Information
Natural Entrance Tour Route Closes For Season October 1, 2026
The Natural Entrance Tour Route will be closed for the season beginning October 1st, 2026. The Garden of Eden, Fairgrounds, and Accessibility Tour Routes remain available. This annual closure will last through the winter season.
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Information
Centennial Trailhead Parking
Reminder: Overnight parking without a camping permit is prohibited. Permits are not issued specifically for parking. Shuttles are available in the Black Hills for through hikers on the Centennial Trail.
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Information
Wind Cave moves to cashless fee collection
Payments for cave tours, campground fees, as well as Interagency Passes at Wind Cave National Park, will be by credit/ debit cards or digital payments only. Cash and check payments will no longer be accepted.
Hours
Wind Cave National Park
| Every day | All Day |
|---|
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.
Visitor centers
Wind Cave Visitor Center Today: 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Wind Cave Visitor Center
Today: 8:00AM - 4:30PM (Late Fall, Winter and Early Spring Hours, Oct 1 – Apr 24)
Usual hours
| Every day | 8:00AM - 6:00PM |
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Coming up:
- Nov 26: Thanksgiving Day (Closed) (closed)
The Visitor Center is open every day of the year except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Days. Regular hours of operation are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM with extended hours in the spring, summer, and fall.
Note: South Dakota has two time zones. All times listed are Mountain Time.
About this 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.