Here Are The 7 Best Hikes In South Dakota’s Wind Cave National Park

Wind Cave National Park is the perfect place to spend some time. The park offers several hiking trails for all skill levels - choose the best one for you, and start exploring! Believe us, this is an amazing national park to visit in South Dakota.

If you’re planning a visit to this incredible national park, there’s no better time to visit than during National Park Week. Learn all about this celebration of America’s great outdoors — including fee-free days throughout the year!

Wind Cave National Park is well known for its incredible cave, but did you know that it also offers several beautiful hiking trails? The park covers 33,847 acres, including rolling prairie, interesting rock formations, and some stunning overlooks.

1. Lookout Point Trail

Lookout Point Trail makes a 5.7-mile loop and it covers a lot of diverse territory. You'll walk through prairie grasslands and up along the hills. During late spring and summer you might enjoy wildflowers, and like all the trails in this park, you could easily run into bison and other wildlife. Click here for a trail map.

2. Elk Mountain Interactive Nature Trail

This easy little trail makes a 2.6-mile loop around the Elk Mountain Campground. You're likely to see bison and antelope along this trail.

3. Rankin Ridge Trail

One of the most popular trails at Wind Cave National Park, Rankin Ridge Trail is just one mile long. It's an easy hike that's appropriate for just about any skill level, and the view is just spectacular. On a clear day, you can see for miles.

4. Wind Cave Canyon Trail

The Wind Cave Canyon Trail is rated as easy, and is 3.8 miles out and back. You'll see some beautiful vistas, along with the interesting rock formations in the canyon. Watch for nesting birds in the limestone cliffs here.

5. Boland Ridge Trail

The Boland Ridge Trail is one of the more difficult hikes in Wind Cave National Park. It has an elevation gain of 895 feet, but your effort is richly rewarded with this panoramic view from the ridge. You'll see the Black Hills National Forest to the west, and view the Great Plains when you look to the east.

6. Cold Brook Canyon Trail

The National Park Service considers the Cold Brook Canyon Trail to be of moderate difficulty, mainly because of the initial descent into the canyon. This fun little trail takes you near a prairie dog town. Also watch for nesting raptors. The trail is 2.8 miles out and back.

7. East Bison Flats Trail

This trail is six miles, out and back, and it can be fairly strenuous with some decent elevation climbs. The views all along the trail are gorgeous - make sure you bring a camera or have your cell phone charged. Click here for a trail map.

What do you think about this national park to visit in South Dakota? How many of these trails have you hiked? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

And if you're looking for more outdoor fun, check out the 10 best hiking trails in South Dakota.