Imagine
walking across a prairie and viewing scenery similar to that seen by
Black Hills pioneers in the 1890s. Such landscapes can be seen from
the 30 miles
of hiking
trails in Wind Cave National Park.
From these trails you can view one of the best examples of
mixed-grass prairie in the United States. Seventy-five percent of the park
is mixed-grass prairie and the balance is ponderosa
pine forest and riparian habitat.
| Backcountry Camping | Backcountry camping offers an opportunity to learn firsthand about the plants and the animals of the prairie and forest. the backcountry camping area is located in the northwest part of the park. All Backcountry campers must obtain a free Backcountry Use Permit at the visitor center or at Centennial Trail access points. Information gained from backcountry permits help park rangers protect the resources while allowing for use of the backcounty of Wind Cave National Park. |
Hiking Trails
| |
| 1. Cold Brook Canyon Trail | 1.4
Miles The trail begins on the west side of Hwy 385 two miles south of the Visitor Center. This mildly strenuous trail traverses across a former prairie dog town, along the edge of a prescribed fire and through Cold Brook Canyon to the park boundary fence. |
| 1.8
Miles The trail begins on the east side of Hwy 385 one mile north of the southern access road to the Visitor Center. This easily walked trail follows Wind Cave Canyon to the park boundary fence. Wind Cave Canyon is one of the best places in the park for bird watching. Limestone cliffs provide good nesting areas for cliff swallows and great horned owls. Standing dead trees serve as homes for red-headed and Lewis woodpeckers. | |
| 3. East Bison Flats Trail | 3.7
Miles The trail begins along the Wind Cave Canyon Trail ½ mile east of Hwy 385. This mildly strenuous trail leads hikers across the rolling hills of the prairie. From this trail you may see panoramic views of Wind Cave National Park, Buffalo Gap and the Black Hills. |
| 4. Lookout Point Trail | 1.9
Miles The trail begins on the east side of Hwy 87, ½ mile north of its junction with Hwy 385. This mildly strenuous trail follows the rolling hills of the prairie, traverses Lookout Point and ends at Beaver Creek. Take a side trip up Lookout Point to see views of the 1997 prescribed fire. |
| 5. Sanctuary Trail | 3.6
Miles The trail begins on the east side of Hwy 87 about one mile north of the Rankin Ridge fire tower road. This mildly strenuous trail follows the rolling hills of the prairie, crosses a large prairie dog town and ends at the Highland Creek Trail. View the Rankin Ridge fire tower at the intersection of the Centennial Trail. This trail provided a fire break for the 1988 prescribed fire of 2400 acres. The trail is faint in places, but can still be easily followed. |
| 6. Centennial Trail | 6.0
Miles The southern access to the trail is on Hwy 87, 0.7 miles north of Hwy 385. The northern access is on NPS 5, 1.4 miles east of its junction with Hwy 87. This moderately stenuous. |
| 7. Highland Creek Trail | 8.6
Miles The southern trail begins along the Wind Cave Canyon Trail one mile east of Hwy 385. The northern trail begins on NPS 5, 2.8 miles east of Hwy 87. This strenuous trail is the longest and the most diverse in the park. The trail traverses mixed-grass prairies, ponderosa pine forests and riparian habitats of Highland Creek, Beaver Creek and Wind Cave Canyon. |
| 8. Boland Ridge Trail | 2.7
Miles The trail begins one mile north of the NPS 5 and NPS 6 junction. This strenuous trail climbs the ridge to panoramic views of Wind Cave National Park, the Black Hills, Red Valley and Battle Mountain. |
| 9.
Elk Mountain Nature Trail | 1.2
Miles Trail begins at the campground. Nine interpretive stops. Elk Mountain Trail Guide - 1.8 m PDF |
| 1.0
Miles Trail is a loop beginning and ending at the parking lot at Rankin Ridge. There are 14 interpretive stops placed at irregular intervals along the path. Rankin Ridge Nature Trail Guide - 496 k PDF | |
| 11. Prairie Vista Trail | 1.0
Mile Trail begins at the picnic area near the Visitor Center. An interpretative brochure is available for this trail at the Information Desk in the Visitor Center. |
| HELP PROTECT THE PARK | Resources.
All plants, wildlife, and natural or cultural features in the park are protected
and should be left in place. Bison. Bison roam freely throughout the park. While appearing docile, they are wild and can charge at surprising speed. Bison are particularly unpredictable in July and August during the rut (mating season). Rattlesnakes. Hikers should be particularly watchful for prairie rattlesnakes when near prairie dog towns, cliffs and rocky areas. Rattlesnakes will not usually strike unless provoked. Insects. Hikers may encounter biting deer flies in July and August and wood ticks in spring. |
Water. Hikers should carry in their water as it is not readily available along the trails. All water obtained from backcountry sources should be treated or boiled. Travel. Horses, pets, bicycles and motorized equipment are not allowed on park trails. Campfires. All cooking must be done on self-contained stoves, no open fires are allowed. Campsites. Campsites should be located at least ¼ mile from and out of sight of any paved or improved dirt roads and 100 feet from any water source or archeological site. |