Elk Mountain Campground

• All campsites can be reserved through www.recreation.gov. Payment is by credit or debit card only.

Boland Ridge Trail

Centennial Trail

Cold Brook Canyon Trail

East Bison Flats Trail

Elk Mountain Nature Trail

Highland Creek Trail

Lookout Point Trail

Post # 3 Life and Times of Snags

Post stop #3 of Rankin Ridge Nature Trail at Wind Cave National Park.

Post #1 A "Lively" Place

Post #1, A "Lively" Place, of Elk Mountain Nature Trail at Wind Cave National Park.

• Uneven terrain, dirt, rocks, grasses.

Post #10 Soil Formation

Interp information about Post #10, Soil Formation, of the Rankin Ridge Nature Trail at Wind Cave National Park.

• Uneven terrain, amongst tall ponderosa trees, and a 2 foot wooden post with the number 10 on it marks the tenth point along the trail.

Post #11 The Great Prairie

Interp information of post #11, the great prairie, of Rankin Ridge Nature Trail at Wind Cave National Park.

• Uneven terrain, trail is amongst tall ponderosa trees, and there is a 2 foot wooden post with a number 11 that marks the eleventh stop along the Rankin Ridge Nature Trail.

Post #12 Fire Maintains The Balance

Interp information about post #12, fire maintains the balance, of Rankin Ridge Nature Trail at Wind Cave National Park.

• Uneven terrain, trail is amongst tall ponderosa trees, and a 2 foot post with the number 12 on it marks the twelfth stop along the Rankin Ridge Nature Trail.

Post #13 The Fire Tower—A Reminder of Days Gone By

Interp info about post #13, the fire tower, of Rankin Ridge Nature Trail at Wind Cave National Park.

• Uneven terrain, surrounded by tall ponderosa trees, and a two foot wooden post with the number 13 on it marks the thirteenth stop of the trail.

Post #14 The Never Ending Story

Interp info about post #14, the final stop of the Rankin Ridge Nature Trail at Wind Cave National Park.

• Uneven terrain surrounded by tall ponderosa trees and there is a two foot wooden post with the number 14 on it to mark the fourteenth and final stop of the Rankin Ridge Nature Trail.

Post #1: Forest Animals

The first post of the Rankin Ridge Nature Trail.

• Uneven terrain on a hillside surrounded by tall trees, grasses and rocks. A wooden post about 2 feet tall labeled with a number 1 marks the beginning of the trail. A dirt path leads from the post through the trees.

Post #2 Diversity as a Way of Life

Post #2, Diversity as a Way of Life, marks the second stop along the Elk Mountain Nature Trail at Wind Cave National Park.

• Uneven terrain.

Post #2 The Ponderosa Pine

The second post stop of the Rankin Ridge Nature Trail.

Post #3 Cooperative Living

Post #3 of Elk Mountain Nature Trail at Wind Cave National Park.

• Uneven terrain amongst dirt and grasses.

Post #4 An "Uplifting" Story

Post #4 of Elk Mountain Nature Trail at Wind Cave National Park.

• Uneven terrain amongst dirt, rocks and grasses.

Post #4 Water: Substance of Life

Information about the fourth post stop of the Rankin Ridge Nature Trail.

Post #5 Life on the Edge

Post #6 of Elk Mountain Nature Trail at Wind Cave National Park.

• Uneven terrain amongst dirt, rocks and grasses. Tall ponderosa trees surround the area.

Post #5 Open Spaces are Great Places

The fifth post-stop of the Rankin Ridge Nature Trail.

Post #6 Pondering the Ponderosa

Interp information about Post #6, Pondering the Ponderosa, of Elk Mountain Nature Trail at Wind Cave National Park.

• Uneven terrain, dirt, rocks and grasses and tall ponderosa trees surround the trail.

Post #6 The Challenge To Survive

Information about post stop #6 of the Rankin Ridge Nature Trail at Wind Cave National Park.

• Uneven terrain, trail is in the middle of tall ponderosa trees, and there is a 2 foot post marking the sixth stop of the trail.

Post #7 Beyond the Forest

Post #7, Beyond the Forest, marks the seventh stop along the Rankin Ridge Nature Trail.

• Uneven terrain, in the midst of tall ponderosa trees, and a 2 foot wooden post with the number 7 on it marks the seventh stop along the trail.

Post #7 Fire as a Friend

Interp information for post #7 of Elk Mountain Nature Trail at Wind Cave National Park.

• Uneven terrain, dirt, rocks, grasses and trail surrounded by ponderosa trees.

Post #8 Lessons of Nature

Interp info about post 8 of elk mountain nature trail at wind cave national park.

• Uneven terrain consisting of dirt, rocks and grasses, surrounded by tall ponderosa trees.

Post #8 The Busybody

Interp information about post #8, The Busybody, along the Rankin Ridge Nature Trail.

• Uneven terrain, in the midst of tall ponderosa trees, and a 2 foot wooden post with the number 8 on it marks the eight stop along the Rankin Ridge Nature Trail.

Post #9 Happy Trails

Interp information about post #9 of Elk Mountain Nature Trail at Wind Cave National Park.

• Uneven terrain consisting of dirt, rocks and grasses surrounded by tall ponderosa trees.

Post #9 Life In the Rocks

Interp information about Post #9, Life in the Rocks, along the Rankin Ridge Nature Trail and Wind Cave National Park.

• Uneven terrain, in the midst amongst tall ponderosa trees, and a wooden 2 foot post with the number 9 on it marks the ninth spot along the Rankin Ridge Nature Trail.

Prairie Vista Nature Trail

Rankin Ridge Nature Trail

Sanctuary Trail

Stop #1: Pahasapa Limestone

Begin Wind Cave's geology driving tour at the cave's natural entrance located at the visitor center.

Stop #2: Minnekahta Limestone

Stop #2 on Wind Cave's geology driving tour.

Stop #3: Minnelusa Formation

Stop #3 on Wind Cave's geology driving tour.

Stop #4: Deadwood Sandstone

Stop #4 on Wind Cave's geology driving tour.

Stop #5: Pegmatite

Stop #5 on Wind Cave's geology driving tour.

Stop #6: Schist

Stop #6 on Wind Cave's geology driving tour.

Stop #7: Spearfish Formation / Inyan Kara Group

The final stop on Wind Cave's geology driving tour.

Wind Cave Canyon Trail

Wind Cave National Park Store

• Upon entering the park store, one can find a wide selection of educational products, clothing items and services for retail sale. All products complement the interpretive themes experienced when visiting the park.

Wind Cave Visitor Center

• As you approach the visitor center you will notice multiple buildings of the same style. The Civilian Conservation Corps constructed the yellow hued and dark wood beamed building in the 1930s. The park sign and flag are in front of the visitor center with ponderosa pines towering over the building.

Wind Cave Visitor Center

• Wind Cave Visitor Center
• The visitor center is open daily except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Days. All cave tours are ranger-led and leave from the visitor center.

• Wind Cave Geology Driving Tour
• The geology driving tour is a great way to see the park while learning about the rich geologic history of the Black Hills. On this 20 mile long tour, you will travel back in time and view Wind Cave's rock record to get a glimpse into its past.

• Picnic at Wind Cave
• Looking for a quiet place to enjoy a picnic? Whether you're looking for a good picnic spot or just a place to eat lunch while waiting for a tour, the picnic area is open year-round from sunrise to sunset.

• Watch Wind Cave Wildlife
• View some of North America's most iconic wildlife while enjoying Black Hills scenery. Wind Cave's combination of prairie and forest ecosystems allows visitors to view a number of animals in their natural environment.

• 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.

• Take a Cave Tour
• Visit one of the world's longest and most complex caves.

• See Prairie Dogs in Their Prairie Dog Towns
• Information about the Prairie Dog of Wind Cave National Park.

• Listen For Bugling Elk
• In September and October, male elk can be heard as they bugle to challenge each other and attract females. This haunting sound is a sure sign that fall has arrived in the West. During this time of the year, visitors may be able to join a ranger to listen for these charismatic animals.

• 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.

• 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. Both are close to the visitor center and about one mile in length.

• Backcountry Camping at Wind Cave
• Experienced hikers may enjoy camping in Wind Cave's scenic backcountry. Thousands of acres of undeveloped forest and prairie provide countless sites for hikers to pitch a tent and camp.

• Bike Wind Cave
• Explore Wind Cave by bike. Although bikes are limited to established roads, this is a great activity for those who want to take their time to sightsee in the park.

• Bird Watching in Wind Cave
• Wind Cave has many opportunities to view birds throughout the year. Although you can bird watch anywhere in the park, the Elk Mountain Campground and visitor center offer the best chances to see a diversity of species while visiting the park.

• Horseback Riding in Wind Cave
• The sprawling prairies and open ponderosa woodlands of Wind Cave give horseback riders thousands of acres to explore. Though there are no facilities within the park that provide horses, visitors may fill out a free day permit to bring their own horses into the park.

Elk Mountain Nature Trail

This trail encompasses a blend of prairie, forest and riparian areas which together create the beauty of Wind Cave National Park. While hiking the trail and visiting the nine interpretive stops, you will become more familiar with these areas, how they were shaped and how they interact. A fence keeps the bison out of the area, but an occasional prairie rattlesnake may be seen. Pets are permitted on this trail but must be on a leash.

Geology Driving Tour - Self-Guided

The geology driving tour is a great way to see the park while learning about the rich geologic history of the Black Hills. On this 20 mile long tour, you will travel back in time and view Wind Cave's rock record to get a glimpse into its past.

Rankin Ridge Nature Trail

The Rankin Ridge trail takes you through a ponderosa pine forest. At several points along the trail you may view the peaks of the Black Hills to the west, and the plains to the east. Rankin Ridge trail is a loop trail, beginning and ending at the parking lot. There are 14 interpretive stops placed at irregular intervals along the path. Your guided tour ends a short distance beyond the fire tower. From the last stop to the parking lot is about a 15 minute walk.