Elk Mountain Campground
Campground · South Dakota · 65 bookable sites ·
Managed by the National Park Service
Norbeck Wildlife Preserve National Game Refuge (National Game Refuge) · Open Access
- 65
- Bookable sites
- 36 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 30
- People per site
- 2
- Accessible sites
- 4,223 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Elk Mountain Campground, straddles the edge of a ponderosa pine forest and open prairie, offering unique opportunities to view the diverse flora and fauna of the southern Black Hills. These campsites are available in both forested and open environments.
- Campsites may be reserved all year through Recreation.gov. Reservations may be made 6 months in advance of your stay and same day reservations are available.
NOTE: This is a cashless campground. Only credit cards will be accepted through Recreation.gov or the Recreation.gov mobile app.
Recreation
Hiking at Wind Cave
- View rolling prairie vistas, ponderosa forests, and see wildlife in its natural environment. Wind Cave National Park has over 30 miles of hiking trails on the surface and provides visitors the opportunity to view pristine Black Hills scenery. Find out which trail is the best for you.
Pet Friendly Hikes
- If you are traveling with a furry friend, Wind Cave has two pet friendly trails. The Prairie Vista trail leaves from the Visitor Center and the Elk Mountain Trail leaves from the amphitheater at the Elk Mountain Campground. Both trails are approximatly 1 mile in length.
Become a Wind Cave Junior Ranger
- Kids of all ages can become a Wind Cave Junior Ranger. Complete the activity book, learn about the park, and take the pledge to earn a Junior Ranger badge.
Facilities
This 63-site campground is open all year with sites available on a reservation basis from May to September 30th. In the off-season, only sites 15 through 35 are available. Sites 17 and 49 are handicap-accessible. Flush toilets and drinking water are available from late spring through early fall. Fees are half-price when water is not available. Ranger programs are offered most nights in the amphitheater during the summer. Two group campsites are able to be reserved 6 months out.
Natural Features
Wind Cave National Park protects two very different worlds - one deep within the earth, the other a sunlit world of many resources. Bison, elk, and other wildlife roam the rolling prairie grasslands and forested hillsides of one of America's oldest national parks.
Visit Wind Cave's Natural Entrance
- You can still see the largest natural opening into Wind Cave without going on a tour. This small hole is one of the only known natural entrances into the cave. Lakota oral tradition speaks of how the first bison and humans emerged from this deeply spiritual place.
Contact Info
This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (605) 745-4600.The facts
- 65 bookable sites
- 67 sites in total, including non-bookable
- 2 accessible sites
- Vehicles up to 36 ft
- Up to 30 people per site
- Loops: A, B, C, D
Site types
- 30 RV Nonelectric
- 19 Standard Nonelectric
- 14 Tent Only Nonelectric
- 2 Management
- 1 Group Shelter Nonelectric
- 1 Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Fire pits
- Shade
- Pets allowed
- Water hookups — not available
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, sewer hookups, picnic tables, grills.
67 campsites at Elk Mountain Campground
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Grade | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | Tent Only Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | Slight | 25 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 10 | A | Tent Only Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | Slight | 25 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 11 | A | Tent Only Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 12 | A | Tent Only Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 13 | A | Tent Only Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 14 | A | Tent Only Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 2 | A | Tent Only Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 3 | A | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 4 | A | Tent Only Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 5 | A | Tent Only Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | Slight | 25 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 6 | A | Tent Only Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | Slight | 25 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 7 | A | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 8 | A | Tent Only Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | Slight | 25 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 9 | A | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 15 | B | Rv Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | Slight | 36 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 16 | B | Rv Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | Slight | 36 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 17 (Accessible Site) | B | Rv Nonelectric | Parallel | Paved | Slight | 36 ft | 8 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 18 | B | Rv Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | Slight | 32 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 19 | B | Rv Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | Slight | 36 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 20 | B | Rv Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | Slight | 36 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 21 | B | Rv Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | Slight | 32 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 22 | B | Rv Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Slight | 19 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 23 | B | Rv Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | Slight | 32 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 24 | B | Rv Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | Slight | 36 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 25 | B | Rv Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | Slight | 36 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 26 | B | Rv Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | Slight | 36 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 27 | B | Rv Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | Slight | 36 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 28 | B | Rv Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Slight | 17 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 29 | B | Rv Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | Slight | 36 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 30 | B | Management | — | — | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 31 | B | Rv Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | — | 36 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 32 | B | Rv Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | — | 32 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 33 | B | Rv Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | — | 36 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 34 | B | Rv Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 32 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 35 | B | Rv Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 20 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| Scan and Pay Elk Mountain Campground | B | Management | — | — | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 36 | C | Standard Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | — | 24 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 37 | C | Standard Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | — | 15 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 38 | C | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 21 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 39 | C | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | — | — | 19 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 40 | C | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | — | 24 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 41 | C | Standard Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | — | 24 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 42 | C | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 43 | C | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 20 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 44 | C | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | — | — | 20 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 45 | C | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 22 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 62 | C | Standard Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | — | 36 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 63 | C | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 64 | C | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 46 | D | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 18 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 47 | D | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 17 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 48 | D | Standard Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 49 (Accessible Site) | D | Rv Nonelectric | Parallel | Paved | — | 30 ft | 8 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 50 | D | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 30 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 51 | D | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 26 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 52 | D | Rv Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 24 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 53 | D | Rv Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 16 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 54 | D | Rv Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | — | 36 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 55 | D | Rv Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 56 | D | Rv Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | — | 36 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 57 | D | Rv Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | — | 36 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 58 | D | Rv Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | — | 36 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 59 | D | Rv Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 23 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 60 | D | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 18 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 61 | D | Rv Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | — | 36 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| Group Site 1 | D | Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 20 ft | 30 | 🐾 |
| Group Site 2 | D | Group Shelter Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 20 ft | 30 | 🐾 |
Getting there
The visitor center is 11 miles (18 km) north of Hot Springs off US Hwy. 385, about 1/2 mile (.8 km) west of the highway. Do not rely exclusively on your GPS or Google Maps to find the campground. Routes can be misleading or incorrect. The coordinates for the Visitor Center are N43.55677 W103.47799
From Rapid City, South Dakota:
- Follow SD Hwy. 79 south approximately 50 miles (80 km) to US Hwy. 385.
- Turn right onto US Hwy. 385 north. Continue through Hot Springs another 6 miles (9.5 km) north into Wind Cave National Park.
- Once in the park follow signs to the visitor center for cave tours and general park information.
From Chadron, Nebraska:
- Follow US Hwy. 385 north through Hot Springs, SD to the park.
- Once in the park follow signs to the visitor center for cave tours and general park information.
From Custer State Park:
- Follow SD Hwy. 87 south into Wind Cave National Park.
- Once in the park follow signs to the visitor center for cave tours and general park information.
43.56547, -103.48824 · 43°33'55.7"N 103°29'17.6"W
Typical weather
Typically 85°F in Jul, down to 39°F in Dec.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 40 | 41 | 50 | 58 | 66 | 77 | 85 | 84 | 76 | 61 | 48 | 39 |
| Low °F | 15 | 16 | 24 | 31 | 41 | 50 | 57 | 55 | 46 | 34 | 23 | 15 |
| Precip in | 0.5 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 3.7 | 3.3 | 3.0 | 2.3 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 0.5 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 0.8 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Fees and stay limits
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
From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Elk Mountain Campground
- Can you reserve a site at Elk Mountain Campground?
- Yes, Elk Mountain Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Elk Mountain Campground have?
- 67 sites in total, of which 65 can be booked.
- What is the maximum RV length at Elk Mountain Campground?
- 36 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at Elk Mountain Campground?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Elk Mountain Campground.
- Does Elk Mountain Campground have hookups?
- No hookups are recorded here.
- Are campfires allowed at Elk Mountain Campground?
- Campfires are allowed at Elk Mountain Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Camping near Elk Mountain Campground
- Cold Brook Campground 7.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Cottonwood Springs Campground 9.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Bismark Lake 15 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Comanche Park 15.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Iron Creek Horse Camp 17.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- South Dakota's Mount Rushmore Fireworks Celebration Lottery 21.6 mi · Tickets · we watch it
- Comanche Park Campground 16.3 mi · Campground
- Jewel Cave National Monument - Visitor Center 20.5 mi · Visitor Center
- Hell Canyon Trailhead 21.5 mi · Facility
- Information Center 21.5 mi · Facility
- Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center 21.6 mi · Facility
- Grizzly Bear Campground 21.7 mi · Campground
Contact
- Phone 605-745-4600
- Email wica_interpretation@nps.gov
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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