Wind Cave National Park - Hot Springs National Or State Park

Wind Cave National Park is located 6 miles north of Hot Springs, SD. The Visitor Center is 11 miles north of Hot Springs on U.S. Route 385. For visitors traveling on I-90: At Rapid City, SD, exit onto U.S. Route 79 south. Follow Route 79 south approximately 50 miles to U.S. Route 385. Turn right onto U.S. Route 385 North, which will take you through Hot Springs and into Wind Cave National Park. Follow signs to the visitor center for cave tours and general park information. Visitors can also reach the park by following Route 16 west out of Rapid City onto U.S. Route 385 south. The Park is about 20 miles south of Custer, SD. Visitors traveling from Nebraska can follow U.S. Route 385 north to the park. Visitors may also travel through Custer State Park on State Road 36 and 87. These winding roads are slower than other routes, but provide visitors with scenic views of the Black Hills, Custer State Park and Wind Cave National Park. Public Transportation No public transportation serves the park. Plane Nearest commerical airport is in Rapid City, SD.

Admission : 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. 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. . 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.
Childrens Programs: http://www.nps.gov/wica/planyourvisit/justforkids.htm