Two relaxed days at Wind Cave National Park: the Garden of Eden cave tour, the highest viewpoint at Rankin Ridge, a wildlife drive and the Lookout Point loop, from a historic stone hotel in Hot Springs.
See boxwork on the Garden of Eden cave tour
Climb Rankin Ridge, the park's highest point
Slow wildlife drive for bison and prairie dogs
Hike the Lookout Point and Centennial loop
Soak up Hot Springs' sandstone downtown
The story
Wind Cave is small, free to enter and quietly remarkable. Underground is one of the longest and most complex caves in the world, known for boxwork, thin calcite fins that look like honeycomb. Above ground, mixed-grass prairie rolls into ponderosa forest, with bison, pronghorn, elk and prairie dog towns along the highway.
This plan uses two unhurried days from a comfortable base in Hot Springs, 14 minutes from the visitor center. Day one is the cave: the short, gentle Garden of Eden tour, a stroll past the natural entrance, a relaxed lunch in town, a break, then Rankin Ridge for views from the highest point in the park and a slow wildlife drive before dinner. Day two spends the morning on the park's best day hike, the Lookout Point and Centennial loop, and the rest of the day stays easy with lunch and the Mammoth Site.
There is only one demanding activity each day: a one-hour cave tour with stairs on day one and the 4.5- to 4.8-mile loop on day two. Spring and fall are the most pleasant seasons for hiking, and fall adds elk bugling at dusk.
Day by day
1
Day 1 · 7 stops
Boxwork, a Ridge and Bison at Dusk
A one-hour cave tour and a short trail in the morning, a long lunch and rest in town, then Rankin Ridge and a slow wildlife drive in the late afternoon.
Stay
Base: Suites at The Red Rock, Hot Springs
A restored 1891 sandstone building on North River Street, in the middle of Hot Springs' historic downtown. Suites include 24-hour access to an on-site dry-sauna spa, which is welcome after a day on the trails. It is about 14 minutes from the Wind Cave visitor center, and restaurants and the Mammoth Site are a short drive away. Book through the hotel's site, which shows rooms and rates for your dates.
The shortest and gentlest guided tour, and the best first look at Wind Cave's boxwork, the honeycomb-like calcite fins the cave is famous for. It runs a quarter mile, enters and leaves by elevator and has about 150 steps, some steep and dimly lit. The cave stays 54 F year-round, so bring a jacket and leave bags, food and water in the car. Tickets can be bought ahead on Recreation.gov, and tours often sell out in busy months. The 10:00 departure is on the fall and winter schedules; confirm the time for spring and summer dates.
Photo: NPS photo
Time
About 1 hour; 1/4 mile, about 150 steps
Best time
Morning, before the afternoon tours sell out
Fee
$14
Reservation needed
Yes
Difficulty
moderate (stairs)
Wind Cave Visitor Center
26611 US Highway 385, Hot Springs, SD 57747
Hours: Typically open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day; hours change by season, check current hours
Season: Typically open year-round; cave tour schedules vary by season; check current dates
Prairie Vista Nature Trail and the Natural Entrance
A gentle 1-mile loop from behind the visitor center that passes the cave's natural entrance, a hole about ten inches wide, then climbs through prairie grass with wayside signs and wide views back over the hills. It is one of only two trails where leashed dogs are allowed. There is no drinking water on the trail, so fill bottles at the visitor center first.
Photo: NPS
Distance
1 mi
Time
1-mile loop; no elevation gain figure is published, so this is listed as a walk
Difficulty
easy
Route type
loop
Dogs allowed
Yes
Prairie Vista Nature Trail
26611 US Highway 385, Hot Springs, SD 57747
Hours: Open all day
Season: Typically open year-round; snow can limit access in winter
A casual downtown Hot Springs cafe with omelets, pancakes, burgers, chicken fried steak and soup in bread bowls, plus a bakery counter for donuts, pies and caramel rolls. It sits across from the old train depot visitor center, a 14-minute drive from the park. Hours are posted as daily until early afternoon, so arrive before 2 pm.
Meal
Lunch
Cuisine
American breakfast and lunch, bakery
Upper Crust Cafe
627 N River St, Hot Springs, SD 57747
Hours: Daily 7:00 am - 2:00 pm (Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce listing); call to confirm
The short climb to the highest point in the park: about a mile around a pine-covered ridge, with rocky steps on the way up and an old gravel road on the way down. The fire tower at the top is closed to the public, but breaks in the trees open views over the Black Hills, and on a clear day the Badlands can be seen from the eastern edge. Late afternoon light is soft and bison are often along the road on the drive in. It is easy to skip if the day feels full; the Elk Mountain trail is a flatter swap.
Photo: NPS
Distance
1 mi
Elevation gain
250 ft
Route
Loop
Difficulty
Easy to moderate
Dogs allowed
No
Trailhead
Signed turnoff from SD Highway 87; RVs and trailers cannot use the trailhead
Rankin Ridge Nature Trail
SD Highway 87, Wind Cave National Park, Hot Springs, SD 57747
Hours: Open all day
Season: Typically open year-round; snow can limit access in winter
Drive back south from Rankin Ridge slowly, with the windows down. Both highways have paved pullouts with wayside signs, and bison, elk and prairie dogs are most active around dawn and dusk. Stay at least 25 yards from all wildlife, farther from bison, and watch the road: animals walk right down the pavement.
Photo: NPS Photo
Time
About 7 miles and 14 minutes from Rankin Ridge to the visitor center without stops; allow 45 minutes for pullouts
Best time
Dawn and dusk
Fee
Free
SD Highway 87 and US Highway 385 wildlife corridor, Wind Cave National Park
SD Highway 87 and US Highway 385, Hot Springs, SD 57747
Hours: Open all day
Season: Wildlife is active year-round; snow can close roads temporarily in winter
A relaxed dinner spot on North River Street with waterfall views, a craft cocktail bar, 20 beers on tap and a menu built around regional ranch meats and seafood. It is a short walk from the hotel area, so there is no driving after a day in the park. Reservations can be made on the restaurant's site.
Meal
Dinner
Cuisine
American, steaks and seafood, craft beer
Whiskey River
445 N River St, Hot Springs, SD 57747
Hours: Chamber listing: Sun 8 am-3 pm, Mon-Thu 11 am-9 pm, Fri-Sat 8 am-10 pm. The restaurant's own site showed 11:30 am-8 pm on a weekday; confirm before going.
The park's best day hike in the cool morning, then lunch and an indoor Ice Age dig site in Hot Springs.
Must do
Hike8:00 AM · 3 h
Lookout Point and Centennial Trail Loop
The park's best-loved day hike and the one demanding thing in this trip. The loop follows Beaver Creek through open prairie, climbs through ponderosa pine to Lookout Point, then crosses prairie dog towns on the way back. Leave town by 7:40 for the 8:00 start. There is little shade, no drinking water, and bison share the trail, so step well off the path to let them pass. Wear long pants and closed shoes for tall grass, ticks and poison ivy.
Photo: NPS
Distance
4.8 mi
Elevation gain
500 ft
Route
Loop
Difficulty
Moderate
Dogs allowed
No
Trailhead
Small pullout on a bend of SD Highway 87, just north of US 385 (parking for roughly 8 cars)
Lookout Point Trail
SD Highway 87, Wind Cave National Park, Hot Springs, SD 57747
Hours: Open all day
Season: Typically open year-round; spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons
A local creamery that makes its ice cream, gelato and sorbet in Hot Springs from its own dairy's milk and cream, and serves build-your-own burgers with hand-cut fries. It is the right reward after the loop, and about 20 minutes from the trailhead. The kitchen takes a break in mid-afternoon, so lunch is best before 3 pm.
Meal
Lunch
Cuisine
Burgers and handmade ice cream
Two Cows Creamery
237 N. River St., Hot Springs, SD 57747
Hours: Closed Tuesdays; kitchen closes from 3 pm to 4 pm (Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce listing); call to confirm
An indoor, active Ice Age dig site where more than 60 mammoths have been found in a sinkhole, with bones left where they were found and walk-through exhibits. It is a good low-effort, weather-proof ending to a hiking morning, with self-guided tours by app or booklet and a snack shack. The site is three minutes from lunch and closes earlier in winter.
Time
Allow about an hour
Best time
Any time; indoors
Fee
$15
The Mammoth Site
1800 US 18 Bypass, Hot Springs, SD 57747
Hours: Seasonal: about 8 am-6 pm late May to late August, 9 am-5 pm most of the rest of the year, 9 am-3:30 pm November through February; closed New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas
Season: Open year-round; hours change by season; check current hours
Family-run lodge with a coffee and breakfast cafe on the same property in downtown Hot Springs, about 14 minutes from the visitor center. Check the lodge's site for current rooms and rates.
Stay
Option: Springs Lodge & Cafe, Hot Springs
Family-run lodge with a coffee and breakfast cafe on the same property in downtown Hot Springs, about 14 minutes from the visitor center. Check the lodge's site for current rooms and rates.
A budget-friendly choice of 21 log cabins on a hilltop at the north edge of town, with one to four beds, some kitchenettes, viewing decks and gas grills, and pets welcome. Check the property's site for current availability and rates.
Stay
Option: Historic Log Cabin Motel, Hot Springs
A budget-friendly choice of 21 log cabins on a hilltop at the north edge of town, with one to four beds, some kitchenettes, viewing decks and gas grills, and pets welcome. Check the property's site for current availability and rates.
The park's 64-site campground sits about half a mile from the visitor center, where grassland meets pine forest, and elk bugle nearby in autumn. Sites are reserved on Recreation.gov; payment is by card or digital payment only, and drinking water and flush toilets are seasonal.
Stay
Option: Elk Mountain Campground (in the park)
The park's 64-site campground sits about half a mile from the visitor center, where grassland meets pine forest, and elk bugle nearby in autumn. Sites are reserved on Recreation.gov; payment is by card or digital payment only, and drinking water and flush toilets are seasonal.
Option: Breakfast at Mornin' Sunshine Coffee House
A downtown coffee shop with breakfast all day and lunch from 11, with sugar-free and gluten-free options. Good for an early fill-up before the 8 am Lookout Point start or the 10 am cave tour; closes at 1 pm, so it is a breakfast and early-lunch stop, not dinner.
Eat
Option: Breakfast at Mornin' Sunshine Coffee House
A downtown coffee shop with breakfast all day and lunch from 11, with sugar-free and gluten-free options. Good for an early fill-up before the 8 am Lookout Point start or the 10 am cave tour; closes at 1 pm, so it is a breakfast and early-lunch stop, not dinner.
The longest standard walking tour covers upper and middle levels of the cave: 2/3 mile and 450 stairs, including 89 steps up at once, with boxwork, frostwork and cave popcorn. Choose it instead of the Garden of Eden tour only if everyone in the group is comfortable with steep stairs, and keep the rest of that day easy. If you choose it on day one, it replaces the Prairie Vista walk and Rankin Ridge (use the Elk Mountain option instead), and lunch moves to about 14:30; the tour is then the day's one demanding activity.
Activity1:00 PM · 1 h 30 min
Option: Fairgrounds Cave Tour (strenuous)
The longest standard walking tour covers upper and middle levels of the cave: 2/3 mile and 450 stairs, including 89 steps up at once, with boxwork, frostwork and cave popcorn. Choose it instead of the Garden of Eden tour only if everyone in the group is comfortable with steep stairs, and keep the rest of that day easy. If you choose it on day one, it replaces the Prairie Vista walk and Rankin Ridge (use the Elk Mountain option instead), and lunch moves to about 14:30; the tour is then the day's one demanding activity.
Photo: NPS photo
Time
1 hour 30 minutes; 2/3 mile, 450 stairs
Fee
$16
Reservation needed
Yes
Wind Cave Visitor Center
26611 US Highway 385, Hot Springs, SD 57747
Hours: Typically open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day; hours change by season, check current hours
Season: Typically open year-round; cave tour schedules vary by season; check current dates
A mellow 1-mile loop around the campground where grassland meets pine forest, and one of the two trails open to leashed dogs. In September and October, elk can often be heard bugling at dawn and dusk. A good sunset walk if you skip Rankin Ridge.
Hike40 min
Option: Elk Mountain Nature Trail
A mellow 1-mile loop around the campground where grassland meets pine forest, and one of the two trails open to leashed dogs. In September and October, elk can often be heard bugling at dawn and dusk. A good sunset walk if you skip Rankin Ridge.
Photo: NPS
Distance
1 mi
Route
Loop
Difficulty
Easy
Dogs allowed
Yes
Trailhead
In Elk Mountain Campground, across from the amphitheater
Elk Mountain Nature Trail
Elk Mountain Campground, US Highway 385, Hot Springs, SD 57747
The oldest tourist attraction in the Black Hills, open since 1890: a naturally warm mineral spring pool that stays about 87 F year-round, with slides, hot tubs, a sauna and a steam room. A slow way to fill the free hours on the afternoon of day one.
Activity2 h
Option: Soak at Evans Plunge
The oldest tourist attraction in the Black Hills, open since 1890: a naturally warm mineral spring pool that stays about 87 F year-round, with slides, hot tubs, a sauna and a steam room. A slow way to fill the free hours on the afternoon of day one.
Time
Allow 1-2 hours
Fee
$19
Evans Plunge
1145 North River Street, Hot Springs, SD 57747
Hours: Mon, Wed-Fri 6 am-7 pm; Tue closed; Sat-Sun 10 am-6 pm (as listed on the venue's site)
Season: Typically open year-round, with a short annual closure in March for cleaning; check current dates
The Natural Entrance Tour route closed for the season on October 1, 2026 and stays closed through winter. The Garden of Eden, Fairgrounds and Accessibility routes remain available.
The published schedule covers October 1-31, 2026 (Garden of Eden at 10:00 am, 11:30 am and 2:00 pm; Fairgrounds at 9:00 am, 11:40 am, 1:00 pm, 1:40 pm and 2:20 pm) and November 1, 2026 to April 24, 2027 (Garden of Eden at 10:00 am and 3:00 pm; Fairgrounds at 1:00 pm). The 10:00 am Garden of Eden departure is on both. Confirm the time for your date before you go; the summer schedule was not yet posted.
Visitor center hours are 8:00 am-4:30 pm daily from October 1, 2026 to April 24, 2027, and closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
There is no entrance fee. Cave tours are $14 (Garden of Eden) and $16 (Natural Entrance, Fairgrounds) for ages 16-61, with half price for ages 6-15 and 62+. Tour tickets, campground fees and interagency passes are card or digital payment only (prices as of 2026-10-14).
Planning
Tickets: Recreation.gov holds about half of tour tickets; the rest are sold at the visitor center the day of, and often sell out soon after it opens. Book the Garden of Eden tour ahead in busy months.
Cave rules: no bags, food or drink (including water) in the cave. The cave is 54 F year-round; bring a long-sleeved layer and shoes with non-slip soles.
Strenuous tours: the Candlelight and Wild Cave tours run in summer only, are reserved by phone (605-745-4600) up to a month ahead, and cannot be combined in one day. Treat either as that day's single big activity.
Hiking: carry water (none on trails), wear long pants for ticks and poison ivy, and keep at least 25 yards from all wildlife. Pets are allowed only on the Prairie Vista and Elk Mountain Campground trails.
Getting there: the park is about 11 miles north of Hot Springs and about 22 miles south of Custer on US 385. Plan on about 14 minutes from Hot Springs to the visitor center.
Tuesdays: Evans Plunge and Two Cows Creamery are closed; swap lunch to Mornin' Sunshine or Whiskey River.
Season: summer afternoons commonly exceed 80 F and bring thunderstorms with hail, so keep hikes to the morning. Winter storms can close park roads temporarily.
Sundays: Whiskey River's chamber listing shows Sunday hours of 8 am-3 pm, so dinner there may not be possible; have a backup, or switch day one's late dinner to lunch there and eat a picnic supper. Always confirm current hours.
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Good to know: distances and drive times are typical figures without live traffic, and where routes are shown the route data comes from OpenStreetMap contributors. Toll amounts are estimates and change often, so check them in the DriftKin planner or with the toll authority before you plan around them. Opening hours, fees, prices, permits and closures also change, so confirm with the park or business before you go.
