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Wind Cave National Park
Fees & Reservations
visitors at Natural Entrance to Wind Cave
NPS Photo by Mike Landrum
Visitors at Natural Entrance to Wind Cave

There are no fees to drive through or hike in the park. There are fees associated with visiting the cave or camping in the park's campground.

1. Garden of Eden Cave Tour - $7.00 for adults 17 and older, $3.50 for children 6-16, children 5 and under are free, $3.50 for holders of the Golden Age (Senior)/Access Passports.

Representative features of Wind Cave are seen on this tour which enters and leaves the cave by elevator. This one hour tour is our least strenuous with 150 stairs.

2. Natural Entrance Cave Tour - $9.00 for adults 17 and older, $4.50 for children 6-16, children 5 and under are free, $4.50 for holders of the Golden Age (Senior)/Access Passports.

Visitors walk through the middle level of the cave where boxwork is abundant. This tour begins at the walk-in entrance and exits by elevator. This moderately strenuous, 1¼ hour tour has 300 stairs (mostly down).

3. Fairgrounds Cave Tour - $9.00 for adults 17 and older, $4.50 for children 6-16, children 5 and under are free, $4.50 for holders of the Golden Age (Senior)/Access Passports.

This tour includes some of the larger rooms found in the developed area of the cave. Visitors will see examples of many cave formations, including Wind Cave boxwork. The tour enters and exits the cave by elevator. This moderately strenuous tour has 450 stairs and lasts 1½ hours.

4. Historic Candlelight Cave Tour - $9.00 for adults 17 and older, $4.50 for children 8-16, $4.50 for holders of the Golden Age (Senior)/Access Passports.

Experience the cave by candlelight. This tour takes place in a less developed, unlighted part of the cave. Each participant will carry a candle bucket. Shoes with non-slip soles are required. No sandals! This tour is limited to 10 people and the minimum age is 8. This strenuous tour covers one mile of rugged trail and lasts 2 hours. Reservations are strongly recommended. Reservations may only be made by telephone, up to 30 days in advance of the tour - (605) 745-4600.

5. Wild Cave Tour - $23.00 for adults, half price for holders of the Golden Age (Senior)/Access Passports.

Explore the cave away from the developed trails. On this 4-hour tour visitors will be introduced to basic, safe caving. Wear old clothes and gloves, as much of the trip will be crawling. Long pants, long sleeved shirts and sturdy, lace up boots or shoes with non-slip soles are required. The park provides hard hats, lights and kneepads. Please do not bring jewelry, watches and other valuables on the tour. This tour is limited to 10 people and the minimum age is 16. We require a signed consent form for those 17 and under. Reservations are required. Reservations may only be made by telephone, up to 30 days in advance of the tour - (605) 745-4600.

6. Tours for Visitors with Special Needs - $5.00 for adults 17 and older, $2.50 for children 6-16, children 5 and under are free, $2.50 for holders of the Golden Age (Senior)/Access Passports.

Limited areas of the cave are accessible to wheelchairs. Please call ahead (605-745-4600) to make special arrangements or ask at the information desk for a special tour.

7. Elk Mountain Campground. The campground is opened year-round. The fee during the warmer months when the water is turned on is $12.00 per site per night. When the water is turned off the fee is reduced to half-price. Holders of a Golden Age (Senior)/Access Passports received a half-price discount.

Pronghorn antelope  

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Last Updated: January 21, 2008 at 15:19 EST