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National Park Service · SD

Wind Cave National Park Cave Tours

Ranger-led cave tours (Garden of Eden, Natural Entrance, Fairgrounds) booked on recreation.gov from 120 days to 2 days out; about half of each tour's daily capacity is held for same-day visitor center sales and tours regularly sell out.

Permit requireddayUseModerate
Access requirement

2 ways to get a permit

Advance cave tour reservationsTimed release

Advance window opens 120 days before the tour date and closes 2 days before; about half of each tour's capacity is sold this way. Trip window: Year-round (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day).

Apply on official siteVerified · Jun 22, 2026Available this season
Same-day first-come tour ticketsWalk-up

Roughly half of each tour's daily capacity is held for same-day sales; tours often sell out 1-2 hours in advance during spring, summer, and fall. Trip window: Year-round (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day).

Apply on official siteVerified · Jun 22, 2026Available this season
Permit rules
QuotaTicketed ranger-led cave tours. Approximately half of each tour type's daily capacity is released for advance reservation on recreation.gov, with the remaining tickets held for same-day, first-come sales at the visitor center.
GroupTickets are sold per person; check official tour limits for the largest party that can be accommodated on a single tour.
FeesPer-person tour fees: Garden of Eden $14 adult (16-61), $7 youth (6-15) and senior (62+); Natural Entrance and Fairgrounds $16 adult, $8 youth and senior; ages 5 and under free. Interagency passes do not cover tour ticket fees.
TransferCheck official source; tickets are issued for a specific tour date and time.
SafetyTours involve steep, dimly-lit stairs that may be uneven, wet, or slippery, plus narrow passages; the Fairgrounds tour has roughly 450 stairs and is the most strenuous walking tour.
Where to stay

Campgrounds nearby

Official campground records near this destination. Availability is labeled with the source actually checked.

Elk Mountain Campground

2.6 miles away · SD · 67 sites

7 of 7 nights open

Reservable · 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

Aug 2547Aug 2647Aug 2741Aug 2838Aug 2941Aug 3048Aug 3152
Availability: Recreation.gov

Cold Brook Campground

8.6 miles away · SD · 13 sites

7 of 7 nights open

Reservable · Camping reservations can be made at Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.

Aug 259Aug 2612Aug 2710Aug 282Aug 292Aug 309Aug 3111
Availability: Recreation.gov

Cottonwood Springs Campground

11.8 miles away · SD · 18 sites

No openings found

Reservable · Camping reservations can be made at Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.

Aug 25Aug 26Aug 27Aug 28Aug 29Aug 30Aug 31
Availability: Recreation.gov

Bismark Lake

14.5 miles away · 24 sites

4 of 7 nights open

Reservable

Aug 25Aug 26Aug 276Aug 281Aug 29Aug 305Aug 317
Availability: Recreation.gov