While Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota is in a more rural portion of the state, it’s still easy to get to north or south.

Regional map to Wind Cave National Park / NPS file

The single visitor center is 11 miles (17.7 km) from the Hot Springs, South Dakota, entrance.

The nearest commercial airport is the Rapid City Regional Airport, 69 miles (111 km) north of the Hot Springs entrance.

According to the National Park Service:

From Rapid City direct:

• Follow South Dakota Highway 79 south approximately 50 miles (80.47 km) to U.S. Highway 385.
• Turn right onto U.S. Highway 385 north, then continue through Hot Springs.
• Follow U.S. Highway 385 another 6 miles (9.66 km) north and into Wind Cave National Park.
• Once in the park follow signs to the visitor center for cave tours and general park information.

Traveler’s Note: Your GPS may not be reliable along SD Highway 79, as it will direct you to the dirt-and-gravel Highway 101 from Highway 79 south (Heartland Expressway) rather than to Maverick Junction.  The scenery is lovely along 101, but you’ll be driving much slower and this rural area offers no services along that route.

From Rapid City via the Black Hills:

• Follow U.S. Highway 16 south and west to U.S. Highway 385.
• Turn left on U.S. Highway 385 south to Hill City and continue south through Custer City. The park is about 20 miles (32.2 km) south of Custer, South Dakota, off U.S. Highway 385.
• Once in the park follow signs to the visitor center for cave tours and general park information.

From western Nebraska:

• Follow U.S. Highway 385 north through Hot Springs, South Dakota, 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 South Dakota Highway 87 south into Wind Cave National Park.
• Once in the park follow signs to the visitor center for cave tours and general park information.

There is no public transportation into the park.

The nearest gas station with other services is at Maverick Junction (U.S. Highway 385 and South Dakota Highway 79). There are also gas stations along Highway 79 to Maverick Junction. If you are entering the park from the north or northwest, Custer and Pringle also have gas stations (Custer is larger).

Plugshare.com reports electric vehicle (EV) charging stations located in Hot Springs south of Wind Cave and Custer north of the park.

Custer and Hot Springs also offer more varied lodging, dining, and groceries prior to arriving at the park.