10 Best Things to Do in Wind Cave National Park
From an expansive, underground, and largely unexplored cave network that stretches hundreds and hundreds of miles long, to wide-open prairies teeming with wildlife—including one of only two genetically pure Bison herds in the country—Wind Cave National Park is truly two worlds apart, and it’s why there is so much to see and do when visiting this relatively small National Park in the Black Hills!
That said, the vast majority of park visitors come to see the cave—and for good reason! However, there’s much more to Wind Cave National Park outside of the most popular, but relatively short, tours, which is why I highly recommend reading my thoughts about some of the best day hikes in the park below, as there are so many more ways to enjoy Wind Cave that most don’t even know about, considering the park’s name.
All this to say, Wind Cave National Park is most often a one-day visit when road tripping across western South Dakota, but if you have a little more time to spend, I think the list below will help show why 2-3 days is really the best way to try to fit all there is to see and do in this largely overlooked National Park.
What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Wind Cave National Park?
I’ve been fortunate to experience Wind Cave National Park multiple times during both the beautiful but popular summer season, as well as the cooler fall months, and my number one recommendation—by far—is to visit during the fall.
This is a larger sentiment that has to do with the greater Black Hills area, including Badlands National Park, but I mainly recommend the fall for two reasons.
The first is that fall in Wind Cave National Park is a much cooler and more comfortable time of year to hike. By this, I mean that the vast majority of trails in Wind Cave have very limited shade, which can make hiking across the open prairie very hot and exposed, and the risk of summer afternoon thunderstorms is that much more increased.
However, visiting in the fall considerably mitigates all of these concerns, and that’s not to say there are any notable fall colors to enjoy in Wind Cave National Park—apart from a few sporadic Cottonwood trees.
The second—and perhaps more important—reason is that fall in Wind Cave National Park is significantly less busy than the summer, meaning that cave tours are significantly less competitive to book.
It’s no secret that Wind Cave National Park and the greater Black Hills area are often treated as drive-thru destinations on a roadtrip further west, meaning visitors are lucky to dedicate more than a few days in western South Dakota as they drive across the state to get to the much more popular and iconic Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park in northwest Wyoming.
That said, summer is easily one of the most popular and beautiful times to visit the parks in Wyoming, and Wind Cave National Park is simply a byproduct of that peak traffic.
How to Plan a Roadtrip to Western South Dakota and Northwest Wyoming?
If you were to ask me, I would say that it’s certainly more than practical to see the best of Wind Cave, the Badlands, the Black Hills, Devils Tower, Grand Teton, and Yellowstone in one summer road trip—but it just takes time.
A one-week vacation is not the right way to try and visit the best of everything there is to see and do, but for a trip to all the places mentioned above, I recommend traveling for closer to a month.
Now, I definitely hear the way that comes across, as most people can’t take that much time off work, which is why I would honestly recommend two trips over one.
Western South Dakota and Devils Tower can easily be their own trip, considering all there is to see and do, but as for the parks in northwest Wyoming, including the Beartooth and Wind River Mountain Ranges, this is a place that you don’t want to rush.
The Yellowstone–Teton area is, without a doubt, one of the best and most beautiful places to visit in the entire country—and the world—which is why I strongly recommend against trying to cram in all there is to see in South Dakota, Devils Tower, and Wyoming into one trip.
This is certainly just one person’s opinion, but if you were to dedicate less time on one trip to South Dakota and more time to northwest Wyoming on a different trip, it may not be impractical to fit in Glacier National Park for a trip closer to, or longer than, two weeks.
Hiking Checklist - Wind Cave
Obviously, for camping, you will need general backpacking gear. For this reason, I wrote a separate post about what backpacking gear is worth the money, from my experience, and what the best alternatives are to save you money.
Read My Separate Post: Best Ultralight Backpacking Gear
In addition, here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Wind Cave National Park.
10 Best Things to Do in Wind Cave National Park
The following list is written in no particular order of best or worst, and note that cave tours operate year-round in Wind Cave National Park, with certain ones only available in certain seasons.
On a different note, there is no entrance fee to visit Wind Cave National Park.
However, entrance fees are collected at Badlands National Park and Devils Tower National Monument, which is why I recommend purchasing your National Park pass in advance before traveling to the Black Hills.
1. Wind Cave Natural Entrance Tour
Duration: 1 hour & 15 minutes
Distance: 0.7 miles (1.1 km)
The Wind Cave Natural Entrance Tour is the most popular tour in Wind Cave National Park, and for good reason!
I say this because the Natural Entrance Tour focuses on the historic Wind Cave entrance used by early cave explorers for many decades, until elevators were installed in the 1930s.
Fast forward to today, and the Natural Entrance Tour focuses on taking visitors through a number of beautiful passages, where rangers highlight the cave’s history and geology while showcasing some of its most iconic features, including boxwork, as can be seen in the photo below—a natural lattice formation found in few places on Earth and nowhere as abundant as Wind Cave!
Book Here: Wind Cave Natural Entrance Tour
2. Rankin Ridge Trail
Distance: 1.1 miles / 1.8 km
The Rankin Ridge Trail is a renowned favorite in Wind Cave National Park, as the very short, easy trail climbs to the summit of the highest peak in the park, where visitors can enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the southernmost Black Hills and the greater Wind Cave backcountry!
However, what’s often less known is that Rankin Ridge is the best and most beautiful place to catch sunrise in Wind Cave National Park—not to mention, the best views are only 0.2–0.3 miles (0.3–0.5 km) away from the trailhead.
To learn more, I recommend checking out my separate post in order to see where the best and most beautiful sunrise spots are located, which is not typically the direction most hikers begin the loop.
Read My Separate Post: Rankin Ridge Trail
3. Garden of Eden Tour
Duration: 1 hour
Distance: 0.25 miles / 0.4 km
The Garden of Eden Tour is the second-most popular cave tour in Wind Cave National Park, and it differs from the Natural Entrance Tour in that it’s considered a much more accessible option, with less distance covered and fewer stairs throughout the passages.
That said, the Garden of Eden Tour is similar to the Natural Entrance Tour in that it again focuses on the boxwork in Wind Cave, as well as cave popcorn and flowstone.
All this to say, the Garden of Eden Tour is truly the halfway point, in terms of difficulty, between the Natural Entrance Tour and the Accessibility Tour, and it’s a great option if you don’t have as much time to spend to dedicate to a longer guided tour.
Book Here: Garden of Eden Tour
4. East Bison Flats Trail
Distance (One Way): 3.3 miles / 5.3 km
Apart from the long Highland Creek Trail that most visitors never consider because of its distance, the East Bison Flats Trail stands out as the one trail through the heart of the Wind Cave backcountry with the most diversity!
By this, I mean that most of the longer day hikes that can be seen on the park map traverse vast stretches of wide-open prairie, with very little elevation change, outside of a few very short sections around the Lookout Point Loop.
However, the East Bison Flats Trail is quite different in that it’s the one trail with the most elevation change, though I wouldn’t necessarily consider the steepest sections all that difficult, since they don’t last very long.
Read My Separate Post: East Bison Flats Trail
5. Boland Ridge Trail
Distance: 5.0 miles / 8.0 km
Elevation Gain: 350 ft. / 107 m
The Boland Ridge Trail is often one of the most overlooked adventures in Wind Cave National Park, largely because it’s so far out of the way compared to everything centered around the Wind Cave Visitor Center.
That said, I could not recommend going out of the way more, as the Boland Ridge Trail is the best sunset hike in Wind Cave National Park, as the beautiful, panoramic, west-facing, views can be enjoyed from countless different places within 1.0 mile (1.6 km) of the trailhead.
Read My Separate Post: Boland Ridge Trail
6. Elk Mountain Campground
Elk Mountain Campground is the only drive-up campground in Wind Cave National Park, and one of the best parts is that it’s pet-friendly!
On top of this, Elk Mountain Campground is located less than a two-minute drive from the Wind Cave Visitor Center, meaning there is very little effort required if you’re interested in lining up for a first-come, first-served cave tour reservation.
All of this to say, I personally think that staying at Elk Mountain Campground is one of the best things to do in Wind Cave National Park, as it allows visitors a convenient place to spend the night while offering the opportunity to catch sunrise and sunset at both Rankin Ridge and Boland Ridge in the park—not to mention the easy Elk Mountain Nature Trail that loops around the campground.
Book Here: Elk Mountain Campground
No information is collected by this website when using the Recreation.gov booking widget, and all reservations made here are secure through the official website.
7. Fairgrounds Tour
Duration: 1 hour & 30 minutes
Distance: 0.7 miles (1.1 km)
The Fairgrounds Tour is generally considered the fan favorite in Wind Cave, and it’s typically the tour that park rangers say they have the most fun guiding!
This is because the Fairgrounds Tour passes through some of the densest and most dramatic boxwork rooms in the cave, but to add to this, it’s the longest of the three most popular tours in Wind Cave, making it long enough to feel immersive without being too long and exhausting.
Finally, the third reason is that the Fairgrounds Tour is fun to guide, as it includes quite a bit of elevation change, tighter passages mixed with larger rooms, and a good sense of 'exploration' without being too physically demanding.
Visitor reactions often reinforce my first sentiment, as many people leave the Fairgrounds Tour saying it was their favorite or that it exceeded their expectations!
Book Here: Fairgrounds Tour
8. Wind Cave Canyon Trail
Distance: 3.6 miles / 5.8 km
The Wind Cave Canyon Trail is an easy out-and-back day hike through one of the park’s many beautiful drainages, comparable only to parts of the Lookout Point Loop Trail just to the north.
That said, the Wind Cave Canyon Trail is one of the more popular day hikes outside the visitor center area, but that’s not to say it’s a busy adventure by any means.
In fact, the Wind Cave Canyon Trail really is just a beautiful, quiet walk that leads hikers to the old park boundary before Wind Cave National Park dramatically expanded in 2011, which you can learn all about in my separate article linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Wind Cave Canyon Trail
9. Cold Brook Canyon Trail
Distance: 2.8 miles / 4.5 km
The Cold Brook Canyon Trail is an easy out-and-back adventure, similar to the Wind Cave Canyon Trail mentioned above, but what I think sets the Cold Brook Canyon Trail apart from others is that it’s the best day hike in Wind Cave National Park to see wildlife—especially early in the morning!
I say this because early morning or late in the day before sunset are when hikers have the best opportunities to see most of the park’s largest wildlife, including Coyotes, Mule Deer, Elk, and Pronghorn, with Bison and Prairie Dogs around throughout the day.
Read My Separate Post: Cold Brook Canyon Trail
10. Highland Creek Trail
Distance (One Way): 8.7 mile / 14.0 km
The Highland Creek Trail is the adventure you choose when you really want to get into the Wind Cave backcountry and appreciate the wide-open prairie and its diverse wildlife for everything it has to offer!
That said, the Highland Creek Trail is the longest day hike in Wind Cave National Park, but it is not a particularly difficult trail, especially if it’s hiked one way and exited via the Wind Cave Canyon Trail.
By this, I mean that if you have someone in your party uninterested in a longer day hike, the Highland Creek Trail becomes a lot easier because hikers have the option to simply hike one way and exit via the Sanctuary Trail, the Lookout Point Loop Trail, or the Wind Cave Canyon Trail at the southern terminus.
All three of these options are very practical in terms of making a half-day or full-day hike out of the Highland Creek Trail, and it’s worth noting that it is often shortened by creating a loop using both trails and park roads.
Read My Separate Post: Highland Creek Trail
20 Best Things to Do Near Wind Cave National Park
1. Badlands National Park
In western South Dakota, both Wind Cave National Park and Badlands National Park are seemingly synonymous and are often paired together into one roadtrip.
In fact, it’s only a 2-hour, 20-minute drive from the Wind Cave Visitor Center to the Pinnacles Entrance Station just to south of Wall and I-90.
This is why, if you enjoyed reading everything I’ve written about Wind Cave, I recommend checking out my separate article about Badlands National Park, where I share the same inside information about everything there is to see and do on all sides of the park.
Read My Separate Post: Badlands National Park (Coming Soon)
2. Little Devils Tower Trail
Distance: 2.8 miles / 4.5 km
Suggesting just Custer State Park and leaving it at that would be a bit of a lazy recommendation, which is why I wanted to dive deeper and highlight all the best things to do on this list, as Custer is truly one of the best and most beautiful places to visit in the Black Hills of western South Dakota!
That said, the Little Devils Tower Trail is my number one recommendation in Custer State Park because it’s such a fun, easy, and beautiful day hike, but most importantly, it’s the best sunset hike across the Black Hills!
Before visiting, I highly recommend reading my separate post, as there are a few short scrambling sections leading to the summit that some hikers may have difficulty navigating.
Read My Separate Post: Little Devils Tower Trail
My Print - Little Devils Tower Trail (Sunset)
3. Drive the Needles Highway
The Needles Highway in Custer State Park is a narrow, windy, scenic byway through one of the most fun and beautiful stretches of road in the Black Hills, passing iconic spots along the way such as Sylvan Lake, the Needles Eye Tunnel, the Cathedral Spires Trail, the Little Devils Tower Trail, and a number of other unnamed scenic viewpoints!
That said, if you plan to hike some of the best trails in Custer State Park, you’ll inevitably drive the best and most beautiful parts to get to the different trailheads off the highway, making the drive one of the best places to spend a full day!
Before visiting, it is imperative that only vehicles capable of fitting through the one-lane Needles Eye Tunnel drive the highway, which measures 8 ft. (2.4 m) wide by 9 ft. 9 in. (~3 m) high.
Google Maps Directions: Needles Highway (Needles Eye Tunnel)
4. Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Distance: 0.6 miles / 1.0 km
Mount Rushmore National Memorial is an iconic, must-see national landmark that I personally think is best enjoyed by hiking the short 0.6-mile (1.0 km) Presidential Loop, as the trail allows visitors the opportunity to learn about each of the four presidents featured and how the monument was carved when it passes the Sculptor’s Studio on the return side of the loop.
Before visiting, know that most federal recreation passes do not cover the parking fee at Mt. Rushmore, with some limited exceptions, including active U.S. military personnel with a valid ID.
Read My Separate Post: Presidential Trail
5. Black Elk Peak Trail (Highest Peak in SD)
Distance: 6.8 miles / 10.9 km
Elevation Gain: 1,050 ft. / 320 m
The Black Elk Peak Trail via Custer State Park is a stunning day hike through some of the most beautiful granite formations the Black Hills has to offer, ultimately ending at the Harney Peak Lookout—the highest peak in South Dakota!
That said, hiking up Black Elk Peak is not a difficult adventure by any means, as the trail to the summit is very gradual for what climbing to the highest peak in the state truly could be.
To add to this, the Black Elk Peak Trail via Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park is one of the best places to enjoy the fall colors in the Black Hills, as beautiful golden Aspens follow the trail all the way to the summit, making the hike that much more spectacular if you catch it at the right time of year!
Read My Separate Post: Black Elk Peak Trail
6. Drive the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway
The Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway is an 18.5-mile (29.8 km) scenic drive between Spearfish, off I-90 on the northern end, and the Cheyenne Crossing at the southern.
The drive is renowned by both locals and visitors alike for a number of very short but beautiful day hikes, as well as some of the best fall colors the Black Hills has to offer! I recommend following the Spearfish Canyon Color Report for the most up-to-date local color conditions if this is something you’re interested in planning.
However, there is truly a benefit to driving Spearfish Canyon throughout the year, as swimming in Spearfish Creek and the Devil’s Bathtub is best enjoyed during the warmer summer months.
If you’re not into hiking, the relatively short 13.2-mile (21.2 km) out-and-back drive between Spearfish and Savoy is worth the trip alone, as Spearfish Falls can be enjoyed with very little effort—not to mention the Latchstring Restaurant is a great place to stop and grab a meal.
Google Maps Directions: Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway
Read My Separate Posts: Spearfish Falls Trail / Roughlock Falls Trail / Devil’s Bathtub Trail / Community Caves Trail / 76 Trail / Eleventh Hour Gulch Trail
7. REDwater Kitchen (Spearfish)
I’ve speak highly about every restaurant on this list because I have truly spent so much time exploring western South Dakota, which has allowed me to try the good, the bad, and everything in between. I mean it when I say there are a few places I wouldn’t even consider putting on this list.
However, the recommendations on this list truly deserve to be here!
I write all this because when I write about the REDwater Kitchen specifically, I want to stress that I mean it when I say: I had the best pasta I’ve ever eaten at the REDwater Kitchen in Spearfish!
There’s only one other time on this huge blog that I’ve given such a glowing recommendation, which is when I ate the best steak of my life in Tusayan, Arizona, just outside of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
All of this to say, I highly recommend trying the Rabbit-Rattlesnake Sausage Pasta, which may sound weird, but wow, it was incredible!
Yelp: REDwater Kitchen
8. Sunday Gulch Trail
Distance: 4.1 miles / 6.6 km
Elevation Change: 550 ft. / 168 m
The Sunday Gulch Trail is arguably the most unique day hike in Custer State Park, as the trail descends a series of railings and staircases through a winding, narrow, beautiful gulch on the west side of Sylvan Lake!
After navigating these fun sections through Sunday Gulch, the trail then loops back around to the other side of the Sylvan Lake Shore Trail, making the adventure feel like two hikes in one!
Before visiting, I recommend reading my separate article, as there is a beautiful, narrow slot canyon on the return side of the loop that can be easy to miss if you take one of a few wrong turns when the trail nears Sylvan Lake.
Read My Separate Post: Sunday Gulch Trail
9. Drive the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway
The Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway, also called Iron Mountain Road, is a stunningly beautiful drive that is often less talked about compared to the iconic Needles Highway in Custer State Park!
That said, the 16.5-mile (26.6 km) drive connects Keystone on the northern end with Highway 36, just a few miles west of Hermosa.
Similar to the Needles Highway, Iron Mountain Road also has height and width requirements for vehicles, as the winding scenic drive passes through three mountain tunnels, with the smallest being the Scovel Johnson Tunnel at 10 ft. 9 in. (~3.3 m) wide by 11 ft. (~3.4 m) high.
All that aside, the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway is unique not only for a number of beautiful viewpoints looking across the Black Hills, but for unique views of Mount Rushmore that can’t be seen from anywhere else, including the National Memorial itself.
Google Maps Directions: Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway (Norbeck Overlook)
10. Crazy Horse Memorial
The Crazy Horse Memorial is an iconic granite sculpture in the Black Hills, just to the north of Custer, dedicated to honoring the Lakota leader Crazy Horse and the culture of numerous Native American tribes.
Unlike most other destinations in the Black Hills, Crazy Horse is privately owned, operated, and funded, which is why the memorial is still under construction today.
If you’re visiting for the first time, know that visiting Crazy Horse is much more about the education center than the mountain, as the viewing platform is quite far away from the actual sculpture. The reason this photo looks so close is because it was shot on a telephoto lens, but in reality, photos don’t usually turn out this well without some kind of long lens.
On a different note, there is one hidden secret about Crazy Horse that occurs just twice a year, which is when the mountain is opened to the public to hike!
If you happen to be visiting the Black Hills on one of these days, be sure not to miss this event, as so few visitors actually get to see Crazy Horse up close, as you do on the hike up the mountain.
Google Maps Directions: Crazy Horse Memorial
11. Devils Tower National Monument
Devils Tower National Monument is the most out of the way, in terms of everything in Wind Cave National Park and the greater Black Hills area, but between Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park in northwest Wyoming, Devils Tower is easily the best and most popular place to stop and visit!
Among everything there is to see and do at Devils Tower, the Tower Trail is easily the most popular adventure, but if you have more time to spend, I’ve hiked all the best day hikes within the National Monument, which you can read more about in each of my separate posts linked below!
Read My Separate Posts: Tower Trail / Joyner Ridge Trail / Red Beds Trail
12. Yellowstone National Park
In this part of the country, Wind Cave National Park, Badlands National Park, and the Black Hills are most often combined with a roadtrip across Wyoming to visit both Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park. The drive from the Wind Cave Visitor Center to the East Entrance near Sylvan Pass, west of Cody, WY, is roughly 7 hours and 15 minutes, which really isn’t all that bad considering most people make the long drive across Wyoming starting from Devils Tower, not Wind Cave.
That said, Yellowstone National Park is a very big National Park that can feel overwhelming when visiting for the first time.
I say this because there truly is so much to see and do beyond the most iconic stops, like Old Faithful. This is why, I highly recommend reading my separate article linked below, as I have been fortunate to visit many times over many years, which is why I’m confident my local insights—including places to see wildlife, trails, food, camping, and so much more—are truly the best recommendations you will find!
Read My Separate Post: Yellowstone National Park
13. Grand Teton National Park
One certainly can’t talk about Yellowstone National Park without highlighting Grand Teton National Park just a few miles to the south, as the two really go hand in hand, just like Wind Cave and the Badlands!
As for Grand Teton, the National Park and Jackson, Wyoming, are often more enjoyed by the most adventurous types of visitors, as the rugged Teton Range truly is a playground—from the easiest of trails, like the Jenny Lake Loop Trail, to popular off-trail adventures, like the hike up to Delta Lake.
In either case, I have also visited Grand Teton National Park many times over many years, as I have Yellowstone, which is why I highly recommend checking out my separate post for the best insider secrets and information before visiting!
Read My Separate Post: Grand Teton National Park
14. Beau’s Diner (Rapid City)
Beau’s Diner in Rapid City is the best hometown breakfast diner in western South Dakota!
Think big portions, veterans telling war stories, coffee that keeps on coming, and reasonable prices at this local hidden gem!
However, if you’re looking for a great place to grab breakfast a little closer to Wind Cave National Park, stop in at Our Place in Custer. They really are the best place to eat before everything else opens in the morning!
Yelp: Beau’s Diner
15. Jewel Cave National Monument
Distance (Roof): 0.4 miles / 0.6 km
Distance (Canyons): 3.6 miles / 5.8 km
Jewel Cave National Monument is a small National Monument by land area, but, like Wind Cave National Park, hosts an expansive underground network of caves that is far from being mapped in its entirety!
That said, I personally think Jewel Cave is absolutely worth the visit, but don’t think it’s worth more than spending a few hours.
By this, I mean that booking either the Scenic Tour or the Discovery Tour are easily the two most popular options, but apart from the guided tours offered through the National Park Service, I recommend planning to spend more time elsewhere—especially when it comes to hiking.
I don’t write this to suggest that the two day hikes in Jewel Cave National Monument are bad by any means, but I simply mean that if time is a factor on your trip, I recommend planning to hike in Wind Cave National Park or the Black Hills over the trails in Jewel Cave.
However, if you have more time to spare, either before or after a scheduled cave tour, I recommend checking out the Roof Trail for the shortest and easiest option, or the Canyons Trail, which encompasses much of the Roof Trail.
Read My Separate Posts: Roof Trail / Canyons Trail
16. Graffiti Alley (Art Alley)
In the heart of downtown Rapid City is a little-known side street behind some of the best restaurants in town, known locally as Graffiti Alley, or Art Alley.
This is one of those things that I wouldn’t necessarily say is worth driving out of the way for if you aren’t in the area, but since it’s located just around the corner from some of the best coffee shops and restaurants downtown, like Tally’s Silver Spoon, I recommend walking over if you’re already in the area!
Google Maps Directions: Graffiti Alley (Art Alley)
17. Ma Cualli (Rapid City)
Ma Cualli is a local Mexican restaurant in Rapid City that I would argue is one of the best local restaurants to eat at when you’re in the area!
I say this because it’s one of those places where everything on the menu looks and smells amazing, making it hard to pick just one entrée!
Yelp: Ma Cualli
18. Cathedral Spires Trail
Distance: 1.8 miles / 2.9 km
The Cathedral Spires Trail is a fairly easy, beautiful day hike in Custer State Park, and because of this, it’s also one of the most popular trails off the Needles Highway!
That said, there are a few things to know before visiting, including the very limited parking situation, as well as the best times of day to hike the trail.
This is why I recommend reading all the details in my separate post, as the best photos are often taken when you’d least likely want to visit, based on where the sun rises and sets, as well as visitor traffic.
Read My Separate Post: Cathedral Spires Trail
19. Buzzards Roost Trail
Distance (Full Loop): 2.9 miles / 4.7 km
The Buzzards Roost Trail is a little-known hidden gem just outside of Rapid City that makes for a quick and easy adventure when you’re looking to hike something beautiful, uncrowded, but not too difficult!
On top of this, the Buzzards Roost Trail is the best sunset hike near Rapid City, though my number-one recommendation across the Black Hills still goes to the Little Devils Tower Trail in Custer State Park!
Read My Separate Post: Buzzards Roost Trail
20. Sage Creek Grille (Custer)
Sage Creek Grille is one of the nicer places to dine in for dinner in Custer, just to the north of Wind Cave National Park, but I largely write this recommendation because Sage Creek Grille is a great place to try a Bison steak!
That said, Bison steaks are a must-try if you’ve never had one before, but they are a lot leaner than any other cut of steak you’re likely used to.
This is why it’s important to try a Bison steak from a place that will know how to cook it to order, with my personal recommendation leaning toward the rarer side, because it’s a tougher meat than beef.
Either way, there’s a lot more to the menu at the Sage Creek Grille that’s sure to help anyone in your group find something they’ll love!
Yelp: Sage Creek Grille
5 Things to Know Before Visiting Wind Cave National Park
1. Cave tours can be booked back to back.
Cramming in cave tours, or going back-to-back, is not uncommon in Wind Cave National Park and can be easily planned in person by talking with the staff at the Wind Cave Visitor Center.
With that in mind, the two most common cave tours to plan back-to-back are the Natural Entrance Tour followed by the Garden of Eden Tour, because where the Natural Entrance Tour exits the elevator, the Garden of Eden Tour begins!
2. Hiking is very exposed in Wind Cave National Park.
The wide-open prairie that extends across much of Wind Cave National Park is great for panoramic views, but not so great when it comes to shade and shelter—and I say shelter for good reason!
By this, I mean that Wind Cave National Park is essentially an expansive patchwork of open prairie with scattered Ponderosa Pines, which is why the vast majority of the hikes in the park have little-to-no shade at all.
This is also why I mentioned in the beginning that fall is one of the best seasons to visit, as hiking during the hottest summer months can not only be exhausting but dangerous.
Aside from the heat, summer afternoon thunderstorms are a serious risk across the Black Hills and the Mountain West in general, which is why it’s imperative to know the forecast before setting off.
However, I can speak from experience that even the best planning still warrants knowing what to do in the worst-case scenario with lightning overhead, which is why I highly recommend learning how to react if you’re caught in a thunderstorm and find yourself as the tallest object around.
National Park Service: Lightning Safety Tips
3. Visitors will line up for walk-up cave tour reservations before the visitor center opens.
Reservations for all but two tours in Wind Cave are reservable in advance through Recreation.gov. The two that are excluded are the Candlelight and Wild Cave Tours.
That said, the National Park Service sets aside reservations for walk-up, or first-come, first-served visitors. This means that if you weren’t able to secure a reservation online before visiting, your best opportunity is to arrive before the visitor center opens in the morning and stand in line—typically, 15–20 minutes in advance is more than enough to get a good spot during the off-season fall months, and 20–30 minutes during the summer.
If this is something you’re planning to do, consider hiking the Rankin Ridge Trail for sunrise before heading over to the visitor center, as the upper ridge below the historic fire lookout is the best place to catch sunrise in Wind Cave National Park!
Book Here: Wind Cave Tours
4. If you don’t fit, you don’t go!
When it comes to the Wild Tour, the National Park Service is very strict about its policies, allowing only those who are physically fit enough to reserve the tour. There’s really no nice way to say it.
This is why there’s this box inside the Wind Cave Visitor Center that hikers must fit through in order to attempt the Wild Cave Tour, and it’s also why this tour can only be booked in person or by calling the visitor center in advance.
5. Rapid City is a fairly practical place to stay when visiting Wind Cave National Park.
In many National Parks across the United States, such as Yosemite, Crater Lake, Lassen Volcanic, and countless more, the biggest nearby city—or any town, for that matter—is often a long, remote drive to get to and from.
However, the Wind Cave Visitor Center is only a 1-hour, 5-minute drive on easy-to-drive roads from downtown Rapid City when entering the park through Buffalo Gap.
That being said, this is the eastern entrance into Wind Cave National Park, and it’s a route that follows dirt roads after turning off Highway 79. I mention this to say that these are the same dirt roads in the park that pass the Boland Ridge Trail, the Highland Creek Trail, and the Centennial Trail, which is to say the dirt roads can easily be driven by most 2WD vehicles, so long as they are snow-free.
