Elk Mountain Campground
Campground · Fee
Fast facts
- Cost
- $24.00
- Type
- Campground
- Sites
- 128 total · 64 reservable · 64 first come
- Reservations
- recreation.gov
- Phone
- 605-745-4600
- Coordinates
- 43.5655, -103.4882
- Last verified
- September 19, 2026
About this place
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.
From the managing agency.Official page
Is Elk Mountain Campground free?
No. Elk Mountain Campground charges $24.00. 64 of its sites are reservable through recreation.gov.
Can I bring an RV to Elk Mountain Campground?
Elk Mountain Campground has 128 sites on record. 64 sites are reservable and 64 are first come.
How do I get to Elk Mountain Campground?
The Elk Mountain Campground is located about 11 miles north of Hot Springs, or 22 miles south of Custer, off U.S. Hwy 385, about 1/2 mile west of the highway. Follow the link below for detailed directions to the visitor center; the campground entrance is approximately 1/4 mile north of the visitor center.
What is the weather like at Elk Mountain Campground?
Spring: Highs range from 50-70°F with highly variable weather. Spring is the park's wettest season. Summer: Hot and generally dry with daytime temperatures regularly exceeding 80°F (27°C). Strong thunderstorms are common and can produce large hail and lightning. Fall: Generally dry with warm days and cool nights. Highs 50-60°F. Lows below freezing are common. Winter: Highs are in the high 30s with lows around 10°F. Snowfall averages 30 inches annually, periodically closing park roads.
What are the rules at Elk Mountain Campground?
Overnight parking or camping is only allowed in designated campsites. Each campsite accommodates up to 8 people and one vehicle. Quiet hours are 10 pm through 6 am. Generators may run between 8 am and 8 pm. No unattended fires. There are trailer dump stations in Hot Springs and Custer. Do not dump waste water on the ground. There is a delicate cave system beneath the surface in this park; our actions can have a negative impact on it! Pets are welcome, but must be leashed at all times. Pets are only allowed on the Prairie Vista trail and the Elk Mountain Campground trail. Read more at https://www.nps.gov/wica/planyourvisit/pets.htm
Nearby
- Cold Brook Campground7.2 mi
- Cottonwood Springs Campground9.7 mi
- Bismarck Lake Campground14.5 mi
- Bismark Lake15.0 mi
- COMANCHE PARK15.9 mi
- Comanche Park Campground16.3 mi
- IRON CREEK HORSE CAMP17.5 mi
- Iron Creek Horse Camp18.1 mi
No other services within 50 mi on the record.
SourceSource data is agency published. Last synced September 19, 2026. Community reports and photos are submitted by travelers and are not verified by the agency.
