• Registration is easy and free!

  • Welcome to the National Parks USA forum! Registered members can download resources for free and use the forum without advertising banners. Click here for free registration. After registration, check your mailbox and confirm your email address.

Elk Mountain Campground at Wind Cave National Park

65Visitor campsites
65Online reservable
36 ftLargest listed RV length; varies by site
5Official site types

Plan your stay

Answers to the questions campers ask first.

Can I reserve a campsite?

Yes. 65 of 65 visitor campsites can be reserved online.

Can I camp here with an RV?

45 of 65 sites list RV equipment

Source: Recreation.gov structured records

Are tent sites available?

64 of 65 sites list tent equipment

Source: Recreation.gov structured records

Is the campground accessible?

2 of 65 sites are marked accessible

Source: Recreation.gov structured records

Are toilets and drinking water available?

Yes, seasonally. Toilets and drinking water are available during the operating season.

Are showers or electrical hookups available?

No. Showers are not available and no electrical sites are listed.

About this campground

Information from the official campground source. Seasonal conditions and reservation rules may vary.

This 64-site campground is open year round. Sites can be reserved at www.recreation.gov. Two sites are handicap-accessible. Flush toilets and drinking water are available late May through September. Fees are half-price when water is not available. Payment is by credit or debit card only. Two group campsites are also available through www.recreation.gov.

Explore campsites

Loading campsites…

Explore all campsites

Official practical information

Source: Recreation.gov structured records

Fees and entrance charges

RV or tent rate when water and flush toilets are available (May - September 30th). Senior (Golden Age)/Access pass holders pay half price. Interagency Annual Park Passes are not applicable for these fees.

$24.00

Campsite Fee - Off-season

RV or tent rate when water is not available (October 1st-May). Senior (Golden Age)/Access pass holders pay half price. Interagency Annual Park Passes are not applicable for these fees.

$12.00

Directions

The visitor center is 11 miles (18 km) north of Hot Springs off US Hwy. 385, about 1/2 mile (.8 km) west of the highway. Do not rely exclusively on your GPS or Google Maps to find the campground. Routes can be misleading or incorrect. The coordinates for the Visitor Center are N43.55677 W103.47799

From Rapid City, South Dakota:

Follow SD Hwy. 79 south approximately 50 miles (80 km) to US Hwy. 385.

Turn right onto US Hwy. 385 north. Continue through Hot Springs another 6 miles (9.5 km) north into Wind Cave National Park.

Once in the park follow signs to the visitor center for cave tours and general park information.

From Chadron, Nebraska:

Follow US Hwy. 385 north through Hot Springs, SD to the park.

Once in the park follow signs to the visitor center for cave tours and general park information.

From Custer State Park:

Follow SD Hwy. 87 south into Wind Cave National Park.

Once in the park follow signs to the visitor center for cave tours and general park information.

Campsite options

Compare the official site types and equipment limits before choosing a campsite.

Tent sites

14 Campsites Equipment Non-electric

RV

50 Campsites Equipment Non-electric · Maximum 36 ft

Group sites

2 Campsites Equipment Non-electric
Individual campsite details such as loop, accessibility, equipment limits and reservability are provided by Recreation.gov.

Tours & experiences

More Things To Do
Wind Cave National Park GPS Audio Tour — Cave Tour Not Included

Wind Cave National Park GPS Audio Tour — Cave Tour Not Included

Tourist Attractions Hot Air Balloon Flight Over Black Hills

Hot Air Balloon Flight Over Black Hills

Tourist Attractions Private Wind Cave and Custer Wildlife Tour from Rapid City

Private Wind Cave and Custer Wildlife Tour from Rapid City

Tourist Attractions

Facilities at a glance

ToiletsSeasonal
Drinking waterSeasonal
Dump stationNot available
AmphitheaterSeasonal
ShowersNot available
LaundryNot available
Camp storeNot available
Cell serviceNot available
InternetNot available
Trash and recyclingYes - year round
Food storage lockersNot available
Firewood for saleNot available
Ice for saleNot available
Campground hostSeasonal
Accessible2 of 65 campsites · 0 unknown
Electricity0 of 65 campsites · 46 unknown
Water hookup0 of 65 campsites · 2 unknown
Pets allowed65 of 65 campsites · 0 unknown
Campfires allowed65 of 65 campsites · 0 unknown
Shade15 of 65 campsites · 50 unknown
Available Seasonal Not available Unknown

Operating season & hours

Official opening status unknown

Elk Mountain Campground

Every day: All Day

Operating dates and closures can change. Confirm current conditions with the official source.

Fees

Campsite Fee

RV or tent rate when water and flush toilets are available. Senior (Golden Age)/Access pass holders pay half price. Interagency Annual Park Passes are not applicable for these fees.

$24.00
Campsite Fee - Off-season

RV or tent rate when water is not available. Senior (Golden Age)/Access pass holders pay half price. Interagency Annual Park Passes are not applicable for these fees.

$12.00

Access, rules and important notes

2 Campsites 36 ft
  • There are two wheelchair accessible campsites at sites 17 and 49.
  • There are wheelchair accessible vault toilets in B loop and seasonal accessible flush toilets in D loop.
  • Campground amphitheater is wheelchair accessible.
  • Campground amphitheater is wheelchair accessible with parking nearby.
  • 1 RV and trailers are allowed in the campground, however, drivers should be mindful of site selection.
  • While there are sites which will accommodate a large RV or trailer, not all sites can do so.
  • 40 Paved Roads - All vehicles OK Wireless internet is available at the information kiosk.
  • Fires are allowed in designated fire rings only and must not be left unattended.
  • Overnight parking or camping is only allowed in designated campsites.
  • Each campsite accommodates up to 8 people and one vehicle.
  • Quiet hours are 10 pm through 6 am.
  • Generators may run between 8 am and 8 pm.
  • No unattended fires.
  • There are trailer dump stations in Hot Springs and Custer.
  • Do not dump waste water on the ground.
  • There is a delicate cave system beneath the surface in this park; our actions can have a negative impact on it!
Official information, clearly sourced Information from the official sources listed below. Check the official website for current conditions and reservation details.
National Park Service Recreation.gov
Last checked National Park Service — Oct 9, 2026 at 10:52 AMRecreation.gov — Oct 9, 2026 at 12:51 PMView official source

Things To Do

Explore Things To Do at Elk Mountain Campground

a tent in a prairie overlooking the forest
Backcountry Camping

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.
Source: NPS
a ranger showing two children an antler
Junior Ranger Program

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.
20-45 Minutes
Source: NPS
More Things To Do at Wind Cave National Park

Information & Disclaimer

National Parks Explorer strives to present accurate and up-to-date information collected from official and trusted sources, including the National Park Service. While we make every effort to keep this information current, information may be incomplete, inaccurate, outdated or subject to change without prior notice, including access requirements, permits, reservations, operating hours, alerts, fees, road and trail conditions, weather and other visitor information.

Read more Read less

Always verify the latest information with the relevant official source before making travel plans, reservations, purchases or visiting a park.

National Parks Explorer is an independent information platform provided through national-parks-usa.com and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Park Service or other data providers. All information is provided for general informational and planning purposes only and is used entirely at your own risk. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, National Parks Explorer and national-parks-usa.com cannot be held responsible or liable for any loss, damage, injury, inconvenience, missed reservation, travel disruption, financial loss, additional expense or other costs resulting from the use of, or reliance upon, information provided through this website.

Site details
Back
Top