Wind Cave
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.
Official-source overview · detailed planning coverage is still being reviewed
At a glance
- State / territory
- South Dakota
- Region
- Midwest
The official overview below is available now. Park-specific fees, distances, climate tables, and reviewed day plans are shown only when their supporting records have been reviewed. Check current access and arrangements with the park before travel.
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When to go
Spring: Highs range from 50-70°F with highly variable weather. Spring is the park's wettest season.
Summer: Hot and generally dry with daytime temperatures regularly exceeding 80°F (27°C). Strong thunderstorms are common and can produce large hail and lightning.
Fall: Generally dry with warm days and cool nights. Highs 50-60°F. Lows below freezing are common.
Winter: Highs are in the high 30s with lows around 10°F. Snowfall averages 30 inches annually, periodically closing park roads.
General official weather guidance; historical context, not a forecast.
Arrive and stay
Wind Cave National Park is located in South Dakota about 11 miles north of Hot Springs, or about 22 miles south of Custer, on US Highway 385. The park Visitor Center, where all cave tours begin, is approximately 1/2 mile west of the highway.
Official directionsRisks and official checks
Conditions, access, reservations, and operating hours can change. This website is a planning resource and does not provide live conditions.
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Where this information comes from
Park overview information is drawn from identified official sources. Published guide facts, assumptions, and editorial decisions retain their own review records.
Source retrieved: 2026-10-01. This is not a live-conditions check.
National Park Service: Wind Cave
Image credit: NPS Photo. See the image credits.
Data release 0 · Independent planning resource. Not affiliated with the National Park Service.