Elk Mountain Campground
Open — Open year-round. Loop B (sites 15-35) remains open during winter; Loops A, C, and D are closed October 1 through May 15. No potable water available in the campground during winter, but water is available at the Visitor Center. Flush toilets operate late spring through early fall; vault toilets available year-round.
From Recreation.gov
Attention: Loops A, C & D are closed from Oct. 1, 2025, to May 15, 2026, for the winter season. There is no potable water available in the campground during this time. Loop B remains open for reservations and potable water is available at the Visitor Center.
Red Flag Warning issued April 11 at 3:56AM MDT until April 11 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Rapid City SD
...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS TODAY ACROSS PORTIONS OF NORTHEASTERN WYOMING AND SOUTHWESTERN SOUTH DAKOTA... .Warm, dry, and breezy weather will support critical fire weather conditions over northeastern Wyoming and southwestern South Dakota today. In addition, there is a slight chance of a couple dry thunderstorms in the late afternoon and evening hours. While confidence in timing and occurrence is low, erratic wind gusts in excess of 45 MPH would be possible if a dry thunderstorm occurs. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 314 Northern Campbell, 315 Southern Campbell, 316 Crook County Plains, 317 Weston County Plains, 320 Central Black Hills, 321 Southern Black Hills, 322 Fall River County Area, 324 Eastern Foot Hills, 325 Custer County Plains, 326 Pine Ridge Area, 329 West Central Plains and 332 Badlands Area. * WINDS...Southwest 10 to 20 MPH with gusts up to 30 MPH. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 13 percent. * IMPACTS...The combination of gusty winds and low relative humidity will produce critical fire weather conditions.
About
Elk Mountain Campground occupies a unique transitional zone between ponderosa pine forest and rolling prairie grasslands in Wind Cave National Park, one of America's oldest national parks. The 63-site campground offers diverse camping environments, with sites situated in both shaded forest and open prairie settings, providing excellent opportunities to observe the park's wildlife including bison, elk, pronghorn, and prairie dogs. The campground serves as an ideal base for exploring the park's dual worlds: the intricate cave system below and the pristine Black Hills landscape above. Over 30 miles of surface trails wind through the park, with the Elk Mountain Trail departing directly from the campground amphitheater. This pet-friendly trail offers approximately one mile of hiking through varied terrain. The campground features both tent-only sites and RV-accessible sites that accommodate vehicles up to 40 feet in length. Facilities include seasonal flush toilets and potable water from late spring through early fall, with vault toilets available year-round. The campground operates on a reservation-only basis through Recreation.gov and accepts credit card payments exclusively. Ranger programs are offered at the amphitheater during summer evenings. Two group sites accommodate larger parties. The location provides convenient access to Wind Cave's natural entrance and visitor center, where cave tours depart regularly during operating season.
Directions
Located 11 miles north of Hot Springs off US Highway 385, approximately 0.5 miles west of the highway. From Rapid City, take SD Highway 79 south 50 miles to US Highway 385, turn right and continue 6 miles north through Hot Springs into the park. Campground entrance is about 0.25 miles north of the visitor center. Do not rely exclusively on GPS. Visitor Center coordinates: N43.55677 W103.47799
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | No |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $12 - $45 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 36ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 36ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | Yes |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| wica_interpretation@nps.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (605) 745-4600 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!