The best camping near Wind Cave National Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Wind Cave National Park adventure.

96% (14 reviews)

Explore landscapes above–and below–-ground while camping at Wind Cave National Park.

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Wind Cave National Park

Public campgrounds in the park

Stay at a public campground in Wind Cave National Park

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(7)

Elk Mountain Campground

77 sites · RVs, Tents In Wind Cave National Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Wind Cave National Park

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(387)

Bear Den Cabins & Camp

8 sites · Lodging, Tents2 acres · Hermosa, SD

Bear Den is a small camp with 3 Glamping Tents, 2 cabins and shower house. Outdoor spaces for relaxing. We are located approximately 5 miles from Custer State Park, 11 miles from Keystone the Gateway to Mt. Rushmore in the beautiful southern Black Hills. Cabins have electricity, our tents do not have electricity. Cabins and showers are heated and open year round! All sites including 'bring your own tent' sites have access to the shower house and outdoor grilling areas. Pick a spot to pitch your own tent, one tent per space. If you have 2 tents please book 2 sites. We have 3 spots cleared. Hang your hammock in trees around the property. This option includes all access to the shower house and outdoor grilling areas!

96%

(111)

Horse Creek Resort

29 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents18 acres · Rapid City, SD

theHCresort.com Centrally-located on 18 acres between two of the Hills’ largest and most beautiful lakes, and less than 15 miles from Rapid City and Mount Rushmore, Horse Creek Resort is the perfect creekside oasis for your next adventure. The resort is located off Highway 385, the main thoroughfare through the Black Hills National Forest, yet is peacefully nestled in a quiet valley, completely surrounded by national forestland with a tranquil year-round creek meandering throughout the property. Rock outcroppings, hiking trails and offroad trails are within footsteps of every cabin. The serene space is an outdoor sanctuary centrally-located within 20 miles of Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, Needles Eye Tunnel / Highway, and Black Elk Peak. Your adventure will also take you near Hill City, Keystone, Custer, and Historic Deadwood. Drive a little further, and end up in Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Sturgis, or Devils Tower National Monument. *****NOTE: HWY 385 Road Construction***** South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) began Highway 385 road construction , which is the main highway that runs through the Black Hills, from Deadwood through Custer, in the fall of 2023. They recently just started construction along the section next to Horse Creek (fall of 2024), which will continue through summer of 2025. Please use the following link for any updates: us-385 dot com

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(263)

Tent camping near a pine forest

17 sites · RVs, Tents16 acres · Custer, SD

These tent sites are located in a campground, bordered by the Black Hills National Forest. While staying here you have access to free hot showers, flush toilets, a dish washing station, a charging stations for electronics, a game room and a laundry room.

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(102)

The Wilderness

1 site · RV, Tent80 acres · West Pennington, SD

Learn more about this land:Tired of the city? Want to get away from people? This 80 acre site is perfect for getting away from civilization and experiencing nature as it was meant to be. Hike in the beautiful Black Hills or make the short trip to Lake Pactola for boating or fishing. If relaxing isn't your speed, take a bike ride on the Michelson Trail or travel one of the many off road trails nearby.

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(242)

Plenty Star Ranch Retreat

35 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Custer, SD

Property description Our property is nestled between Hwy 385, the Mickelson Trail, and the National Forest. We are located between Custer State Park and Wind Cave National Park along Hwy 385 and the Mickelson Trail; about 30 minutes from Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse Mountain. The nearest towns with restaurants are Pringle, (2 miles S); Hot Springs, (24 miles S), Custer, (9.5 miles N).; Hill City, (24 miles N), and Rapid City, (50 miles N). The blacktop driveway grants easy access for every type of vehicle. A couple of ponds, creeks, and dispersed willow, pine, and aspen trees enhance the diversity and beauty of the landscape. It is peaceful here and we enjoy sharing it with our guests during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. Plenty Star Ranch Retreat has our home, a big pole barn (RV storage), a garage/wood workshop with an attached restroom for all guests, a regular hot water shower cabin, a solar shower building, 2 small home-built camping log cabins, 7 RV sites, 9 clearly marked tent and car-camping sites, and several water hydrants fed by our well, providing great quality drinking water. 2 pets maximum per campsite, no pets allowed when booking a cabin.

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(169)

Horse Creek Resort RV Sites

18 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents18 acres · Rapid City, SD

theHCresort.com Centrally-located on 18 acres between two of the Hills’ largest and most beautiful lakes, and less than 15 miles from Rapid City and Mount Rushmore, Horse Creek Resort is the perfect creekside oasis for your next adventure. The resort is located off Highway 385, the main thoroughfare through the Black Hills National Forest, yet is peacefully nestled in a quiet valley, completely surrounded by national forestland with a tranquil year-round creek meandering throughout the property. Rock outcroppings, hiking trails and offroad trails are within footsteps of every cabin. The serene space is an outdoor sanctuary centrally-located within 20 miles of Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, Needles Eye Tunnel / Highway, and Black Elk Peak. Your adventure will also take you near Hill City, Keystone, Custer, and Historic Deadwood. Drive a little further, and end up in Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Sturgis, or Devils Tower National Monument. There are 8 open creek side RV sites (Sites 1 -8). You will receive site assignment the day prior to your stay. *****NOTE: HWY 385 Road Construction***** South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) began Highway 385 road construction , which is the main highway that runs through the Black Hills, from Deadwood through Custer, in the fall of 2023. They recently just started construction along the section next to Horse Creek (fall of 2024), which will continue through summer of 2025. Please use the following link for any updates: us-385 dot com

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(32)

Black Hills Station

54 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Piedmont, SD

Located in Piedmont, South Dakota, our campground is surrounded by the Black Hills! Whether you’re in South Dakota for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, visiting Mount Rushmore, or looking to reconnect with nature, we’re the perfect place to stay! We are home to the 46 Bar & Casino, and offer tent camping, RV camping, and have cabins all throughout our campground. Our RV spaces feature amenities such as full hookups (30- and 50-AMP), plus water, electricity, and sewer. Some of our on-site amenities are game machines and Wi-Fi. Located right off Interstate 90, there are many outdoor activities and nearby attractions for the whole family to enjoy – bicycling, hiking, and fishing to name a few! Or you can enjoy Rapid City and other nearby towns where there are many delicious restaurants, art galleries, national parks, and museums. We look forward to seeing you all soon!

Booked 12 times

HTR Black Hills

105 sites · Lodging, RVs10 acres · Rapid City, SD

Explore the beauty of HTR Black Hills (formerly American Buffalo Campground). This unique destination is home to Mount Rushmore as well as numerous national and state parks, local attractions, and iconic events like the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. So, stay awhile when you tour all the mountains, canyons, caves, and rock formations with the spectacular backdrop of South Dakota. Nestled under tall pine trees, in the heart of the wonderful Black Hills, our on-site recreational facilities include a heated swimming pool & hot tub (open Memorial Day to Labor Day, weather permitting), mini golf, a playground area for children, basketball court, horseshoe pits, and wooded walking trails offer something for everyone!

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(5)

Highland Meadows Resort

11 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents12 acres · Hot Springs, SD

Highland Meadows Resort sits on 12.5 acres atop a private mesa in Hot Springs, South Dakota. The resort features four private cabins, two glamping tipis, and an earth home on the upper mesa — and a campground on the lower mesa. Tipis are equipped with a king-size bed, sleeper sofa, and basic kitchenette. There's a shared wood fire pit, laundry facilities, horseshoe pit, and a private bath w/ shower for each tipi. Tipis also come with a pack and play for one extra infant/toddler. Kitchenettes come with a microwave, mini-fridge, coffee maker, and some basic place settings. The campground has several tent and RV sites, each with their own fire pit, picnic table, and power. The campground has a common area for larger gatherings and flush toilets with sinks. There are several water spigots in the campground as well: two near the restrooms and one at each RV site. Highland Meadows Resort is located near The Mammoth Site, Wind Cave, Cold Brook Reservoir, and local hot springs. It's a short drive from Custer State Park and Mount Rushmore.

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(13)

Pine Haven Lodging

34 sites · Lodging, RVs19 acres · Rapid City, SD

Pine Haven Lodging is situated right in the center of the Black Hills of South Dakota. We're located on 19 acres of Black Hills National Forest at the base of Storm Mountain, 15 minutes from Mount Rushmore and 10 minutes from food and shopping hub Rapid City. We offer full hook-up RV sites and single-family cabins.

92%

(6)

Camp Custer in Star Valley

1 site · RV, Tent3 acres · Custer, SD

Dry camping RV spot located in the southern Black Hills on 3 acres. Enjoy beautiful sunsets, visiting wildlife and occasional hot air ballons from the fire pit & picnic table just steps from your RV. Located 5 miles South of Custer. Enjoy your days visiting nearby Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, Mt. Rushmore, Wind Cave National Park, Jewell Cave. Walk, bike or run on the 109 mi Mickelson trail. We are also 2 hours from Badlands National Park. This area is rich in beauty and history so be sure to get out and explore!

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(40)

Stagecoach Stays

5 sites · Lodging, RVs60 acres · Hot Springs, SD

We were fulltime RV'ers for 5 years; we traveled all across the United States before we settled in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. We decided to build the vacation site that we always wanted, but could never find. We have two large, level RV spots with 50 feet between the two sites. We also have two apartment suites, each with a full kitchen, queen bed and queen pull out sofa. We have created an environment for our guests to enjoy peaceful relaxation while staying with us. We offer amazing sunsets, sunrises, wild turkey, song birds, deer and amazing Black Hills landscapes to help you enjoy your time in this beautiful area. We have hiking trails and a community bonfire available for our guests to use. Well-behaved pets are welcome! We offer weekly rates for both the RV sites and the apartment suites.

The best camping near Wind Cave National Park guide

Overview

About

A visit to Wind Cave National Park is like getting a two-for-one package. Above ground, you’ll find expansive prairies with roaming elk and buffalo. Below ground is one of the largest caverns in the world. Hike the 30 miles of trails, which take you through the grasslands and dense forests, and book a cave tour to view the fascinating underground structures upclose, while learning about the history and geology. Round out your visit by biking, birding, or taking a scenic drive. In addition to a developed campground, Wind Cave National Park also allows backcountry tent camping.

Notable campgrounds

Best for backpackers: With a permit, backcountry camping is allowed off trails that crisscross the prairies and forests in the northwest region of the park.
Best for a traditional campout: Elk Mountain Campground has basic sites for both tents and RVs with no hookups.
Best for camping with a group: Elk Mountain Campground has two group campsites.

Tips for snagging a campsite

Reservations are available on the Recreation.gov website for dates between late May through early September.
The booking window operates on a rolling basis, with reservations available 10 months in advance.
Other times of year, all sites are first-come-first-served.
This campground is open year round.
Water and flush toilets are available late May through September, with discounted camping fees in the off season.

When to go

The spring season may be cool but pleasant, with the highest potential for rain. Summer brings temperatures reaching 80 degrees, with low humidity and generally dry conditions, other than the potential for thunderstorms. Fall is a popular time to visit the park, as the elk mating season begins. In September and October, the sound of bugling elk fills the park at dawn and dusk. Temperatures are cool. Winter brings the potential for heavy snows and freezing temperatures.

Know before you go

This park does not have a dump station. Campers should find options in the nearby towns of Hot Springs and Custer.
Generator use is allowed between 8am and 8pm.
Cell phone signals may be limited.
During the summer months, ranger programs are offered daily in the amphitheater.
Cave tours may fill up, especially in peak season, so advanced reservations are recommended.

96%

14 ratings · 10 reviews

Recommends

· April 2025

Underrated Wind Cave

Wind Cave is a really underrated National Park. It offers a beautiful view of the prairie up top and an amazing cave system below. We enjoyed a stunning sunset here.

Heidi K.

11 reviews

Mixed feelings

· April 2025

Couldn’t go in the cave, the elevator was down.

Mitchell B.

6 reviews

Recommends

· April 2025

Did not stay at an official campsite. Beautiful prairie landscape.

Janaeha D.

8 reviews

Recommends

· April 2025

Make sure you get there early. Went in the off season and tours of the cave were sold out by 9am.

Ev M.

17 reviews

Recommends

· April 2025

Super fun

Deborah J.

9 reviews

Recommends

· April 2025

Crowed Cave, running Buffalo

The Cave is crowded, tours are crowded, but you see a LOT of Bison.

Lee M.

9 reviews

Recommends

· March 2025

Alex H.

19 reviews

Recommends

· November 2018

Nice, spacious campground. It is necessary to go on a ranger-guided tour to gain access to Wind Cave. Reservations are only accepted for two specialty tours so arrive early (first-come, first-served) to purchase tickets. Don't miss out on the more beautiful (IMHO) cave - Jewel Cave - nearby.

Sara + Mike (.

9 reviews

Recommends

· September 2017

Very populated

Elizabeth K.

7 years on Hipcamp

June 2017

Tent camped here and used it as a base for a trip to Mt. Rushmore which is about 45 minutes away. No electric or showers but flush toilets and water. The cave tour was great and the hiking trails were good but not challenging. Bison, Elk, and Mule Deer were plentiful. A short drive to the near by town of Hot Springs where the library has WiFi.