Elk Mountain Campground

Photo · NPS Photo

OpenStatus

ReservableAccess

67Sites

64First-come

36 ftMax rig

The place

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. Keep reading

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.

SRC · Recreation.gov RIDB full extract · 2026-08-23

The sites · 67

Loop	Site	Type	Max rig	Electric	ADA
A	1	tent only nonelectric	25 ft	—
A	10	tent only nonelectric	25 ft	—
A	11	tent only nonelectric	25 ft	—
A	12	tent only nonelectric	25 ft	—
A	13	tent only nonelectric	25 ft	—
A	14	tent only nonelectric	25 ft	—
A	2	tent only nonelectric	25 ft	—
A	3	tent only nonelectric	25 ft	—
A	4	tent only nonelectric	25 ft	—
A	5	tent only nonelectric	25 ft	—
A	6	tent only nonelectric	25 ft	—
A	7	tent only nonelectric	25 ft	—
A	8	tent only nonelectric	25 ft	—
A	9	tent only nonelectric	25 ft	—
B	15	rv nonelectric	36 ft	N/A
B	16	rv nonelectric	36 ft	N/A
B	17 (Accessible Site)	rv nonelectric	36 ft	N/A	yes
B	18	rv nonelectric	32 ft	N/A
B	19	rv nonelectric	36 ft	N/A
B	20	rv nonelectric	36 ft	N/A
B	21	rv nonelectric	32 ft	N/A
B	22	rv nonelectric	19 ft	N/A
B	23	rv nonelectric	32 ft	N/A
B	24	rv nonelectric	36 ft	N/A
B	25	rv nonelectric	36 ft	N/A
B	26	rv nonelectric	36 ft	N/A
B	27	rv nonelectric	36 ft	N/A
B	28	rv nonelectric	17 ft	N/A
B	29	rv nonelectric	36 ft	N/A
B	30	management	—	—
B	31	rv nonelectric	36 ft	N/A
B	32	rv nonelectric	32 ft	N/A
B	33	rv nonelectric	36 ft	N/A
B	34	rv nonelectric	32 ft	N/A
B	35	rv nonelectric	20 ft	N/A
B	Scan and Pay Elk Mountain Campground	management	—	—
C	36	standard nonelectric	24 ft	N/A
C	37	standard nonelectric	15 ft	N/A
C	38	standard nonelectric	21 ft	N/A
C	39	standard nonelectric	19 ft	N/A
C	40	standard nonelectric	24 ft	N/A
C	41	standard nonelectric	24 ft	N/A
C	42	standard nonelectric	—	N/A
C	43	standard nonelectric	20 ft	N/A
C	44	standard nonelectric	20 ft	N/A
C	45	standard nonelectric	22 ft	N/A
C	62	standard nonelectric	36 ft	—
C	63	standard nonelectric	25 ft	—
C	64	standard nonelectric	25 ft	—
D	46	standard nonelectric	18 ft	N/A
D	47	standard nonelectric	17 ft	N/A
D	48	standard nonelectric	25 ft	N/A
D	49 (Accessible Site)	rv nonelectric	30 ft	N/A	yes
D	50	standard nonelectric	30 ft	N/A
D	51	standard nonelectric	26 ft	N/A
D	52	rv nonelectric	24 ft	N/A
D	53	rv nonelectric	16 ft	N/A
D	54	rv nonelectric	36 ft	N/A
D	55	rv nonelectric	—	N/A
D	56	rv nonelectric	36 ft	N/A

SHOWING 60 OF 67 SITES

SRC · Recreation.gov RIDB full extract · 2026-08-23

Booking

183 daysBooking window before arrival

Recreation.gov default: most campsites can be booked six months prior to arrival date. Most campgrounds go on sale at 7am PT / 8am MT / 10am ET, but not always; check the facility Seasons and Fees tab. Some locations also offer shorter supplemental booking windows.

Book on recreation.gov

SRC · Rules verified against recreation.gov · 2026-08-24

Fees

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

SRC · Recreation.gov RIDB full extract · 2026-08-23

Your representative

This campground sits in SD-00. This member’s public-lands record →

SRC · U.S. Census TIGER · MTJP Scorecard