Elk Mountain Campground
Wind Cave National Park
Write a Review US-385 Hot Springs, SD 57747 605-745-4600 Official WebsiteGPS: 43.5653, -103.4894
Overview of Elk Mountain Campground
First-come, first-served sites. Some sites can accommodate 40 ft. max RVs and trailers.
Last Price Paid: $24
Reported by camper-774035 on 7/18/2023
Longest RV Reported: 38 feet (Class A)
Reported by Chasing Dirt on 10/3/2018
Number of Sites 62
Elevation 4,232 ft / 1,289 m
Max Stay 14
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Reviews of Elk Mountain Campground 27 people have reviewed this location.
“Great campground in Wind Cave National Park”
Reviewed 8/7/2021
Nightly rate: | $18 |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
This location was a pleasant surprise. Very positive experience for us as new campers. We were initially looking for free campgrounds after spending the day exploring Wind Cave but didn't love any of the options we saw. We asked someone who works at the Wind Cave Visitor Center about this location and she told us it rarely fills up. It... more
This location was a pleasant surprise. Very positive experience for us as new campers. We were initially looking for free campgrounds after spending the day exploring Wind Cave but didn't love any of the options we saw. We asked someone who works at the Wind Cave Visitor Center about this location and she told us it rarely fills up. It was maybe 40% full for us on a weekday in August. They have a system where you can pay in cash or by card with very clear instructions to follow. Access to toilets, water, picnic benches, and fire pits. No signal whatsoever for us with T-Mobile. Easy to find while driving through Wind Cave. The rate was $18 per vehicle.
Vincent would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Some Challenges here”
Reviewed 7/1/2021
Nightly rate: | $9 |
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Days stayed: | 3 |
Site Number: | B4 |
Nice place to base a SD visit from. Water available, flush toilets, vault toilets. Parking is along the road in pull outs lining both sides of the roadway. There was so little room that we kept our slide in the entire time we were there. Sites were not level. The coyotes were nice at night. The campground was peaceful and relaxin... more
Nice place to base a SD visit from. Water available, flush toilets, vault toilets. Parking is along the road in pull outs lining both sides of the roadway. There was so little room that we kept our slide in the entire time we were there. Sites were not level. The coyotes were nice at night. The campground was peaceful and relaxing. The weather was amazing. Water pressure was good. This campground did not have a dump station. However the town of Hot Springs has a free dump station, donations accepted. I would stay here again. No cell reception whatsoever.
Ctschupp would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Can’t beat the location”
Reviewed 5/15/2021
Nightly rate: | $9 |
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Days stayed: | 6 |
Site Number: | 10 |
One mile from wind caves visitor center. The hiking and wildlife are fantastic. Hot springs is only ten miles south for most anything you might need.
Tramp lineman would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“So beautiful!”
Reviewed 5/2/2021
Nightly rate: | $9 |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | 8B |
I only stayed for one night but it sure was beautiful! It’s a mile from the Wind Cave visitor center. I was there during the off-season so was only $9/night so no flush toilets or water. The vault toilets were very clean though. The sunset was beautiful and it was fun to watch the bison and prairie dogs. Be sure to pack in everything y... more
I only stayed for one night but it sure was beautiful! It’s a mile from the Wind Cave visitor center. I was there during the off-season so was only $9/night so no flush toilets or water. The vault toilets were very clean though. The sunset was beautiful and it was fun to watch the bison and prairie dogs. Be sure to pack in everything you need. Closest grocery is 15 minutes away. No cell service (AT&T) but loved unplugging and meeting neighbors!
Abby would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“A bit close to your neighbor, but you can't beat the location”
Reviewed 2/2/2019
Nightly rate: | $9 |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
If you are going to Wind Cave National Park, this is about your only bet nearby. Luckily it's a winner with nice sites and clean bathrooms. It's a minute from the Wind Cave parking lot and you can't miss it on the way in. Firewood was available on-site when I was there in June of 2019. You can read my complete review with photos he... more
If you are going to Wind Cave National Park, this is about your only bet nearby. Luckily it's a winner with nice sites and clean bathrooms. It's a minute from the Wind Cave parking lot and you can't miss it on the way in. Firewood was available on-site when I was there in June of 2019. You can read my complete review with photos here: http://odysseycamper.com/odysseycamper/wind-cave-national-park-and-elk-mountain-campground/
My blog covers travel in a Honda Odyssey minivan camper conversion.
OdysseyCamper would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Quietude and wildlife”
Reviewed 10/3/2018
Nightly rate: | $9 |
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Days stayed: | 4 |
Site Number: | B10 |
RV Length: | 38' (Class A) |
We stayed here from 9/20- 9/23, 2018, with the nightly rate reflecting a 50% discount with the Access Pass. While each of the camping loops has a site or two that can accommodate larger rigs, the B Loop is probably the best bet for ease of access and length, and it is the second one you will come to as you drive into the campground. Th... more
We stayed here from 9/20- 9/23, 2018, with the nightly rate reflecting a 50% discount with the Access Pass. While each of the camping loops has a site or two that can accommodate larger rigs, the B Loop is probably the best bet for ease of access and length, and it is the second one you will come to as you drive into the campground. The first is the tent-only A Loop on the left. There is not a ton of privacy between sites, but the whole area is quiet and peaceful.
This is dry camping, but there are flush toilets and potable water spigots in the campground. All sites have a picnic table and fire ring. Cell signal is non-existent in the campground, but a short hike up the hill or a drive down to the VC will give you some connectivity. We hiked up to the Rankin Ridge Lookout one evening where it was deserted pre-sunset and wifi reception was good on Verizon. Signal was available in the parking area, too, if you didn't want to hike up the trail.
While the main draw for this park is the caves, we did not take any of the cave tours during our visit.
There are several hiking trails in the park, most requiring a drive from the CG to access. You should know what you're doing as far as wildlife is concerned. Bison are free-roaming in most of the park, and they are responsible for the "maintenance" of many of the trails (i.e. they use them as much if not more than humans.) Prairie rattlesnakes are common, so watch where you put your feet. We encountered both while hiking on established trails, IN the trails.
There is an abundance of wildlife to be seen. We saw prairie dogs, bison, elk, rattlesnake, coyote, and blue birds. There were also a LOT of flies and an invasion of Western Conifer Seed Bugs, which are harmless, but covered the outside of our rig daily, managing to find their way in occasionally to be annoying. There is a ranger-led Elk Program a few nights/week that begins at the CG amphitheater and then folks caravan out to find the elk and hear them bugle. We watched the presentation, but forewent the caravan.
Overall, we enjoyed our stay here immensely since hiking, wildlife, and solitude are what we love the most.
Chasing Dirt would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“CAMPING MET OUR EXPECTATIONS”
Reviewed 9/5/2018
Nightly rate: | $18 |
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Days stayed: | 11 |
Site Number: | ???? |
RV Length: | 26' (Class B Plus) |
Dan & Jaclyn are world travelers, having kicked the dirt in over 100 countries and sailed within all 7 seas. Currently, full-time, location independent, perpetual travelers, roaming around North America. We found home base at the Wind Cave National Park, Elk Campground, so as to visit, Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National ... more
Dan & Jaclyn are world travelers, having kicked the dirt in over 100 countries and sailed within all 7 seas. Currently, full-time, location independent, perpetual travelers, roaming around North America.
We found home base at the Wind Cave National Park, Elk Campground, so as to visit, Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Custer State Park and Mount Rushmore National Monument evening event.
WHAT OTHERS ARE LIKELY TO EXPEIRENCE
The Wind Cave National Park, Elk Mountain campground is about 500 feet past the visitor's center. Arriving there is a round about for you to stop and obtain your campground barring. Here, you pay your fee, and if needed they have a donation box full of past camper's firewood, should you need a bit to start a spark of your own.
During our stay we noticed as the firewood box would become depleted only to fill right up again upon others departing. So, we too donated as well. Some times its the little things we can do, that make others experiences just that much nicer:)
There are about three loops, all of which can accommodate rigs of any size. Although tenters can choose to stay throughout the campground, they do have a dedicated loop, just of them. We found the campground to be about 50% full when we arrived offering us a wide variety of options for our stay. We chose a roadside spot with an incredible amount of green space for us to set up camp and spread our legs.
The campgrounds not provide amp services, water or sewer, although the grounds had trash, running water with toilets and a dish washing station. Each of the sites, had a picnic table with an established fire pit.
SPECIAL EXPERIENCE
Each after noon the park rangers would make the rounds, speaking to those that were out n about their camping space. Most nights they would host a children's show n tell and an adult talk with changing topics would follow.
The big challenge focus was the lack of a strong internet signal. Jaclyn managed to work with AT&T boosted, although I found it frustrating. I walked to the visitor's center each day to perform my online duty and the people watching was interesting.
Our longer than normal stay was due in part to our Jeep needing maintenance. That said, we enjoyed each and every day of our peaceful home in the Wind Cave National Park Elk Campground.
That said, there was nothing that exceeded our expectations so everything was our version of average.
RATING - CAMPING MET OUR EXPECTATIONS
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CAMPED JULY 2018
POSTED SEPTEMBER 2018
ThinkBig_ByDuPont would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Serene and Beautiful”
Reviewed 6/27/2018
Nightly rate: | $18 |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
We enjoyed one night here. Beautiful and clean campground. Equipped with bathrooms and dish washing station. No showers. We thoroughly enjoyed the 9pm ranger program about Bats. Bring a flashlight and a sense of humor. No hookups was completely worth it for the beauty and quiet of this campground. We felt safe because the rangers come ... more
We enjoyed one night here. Beautiful and clean campground. Equipped with bathrooms and dish washing station. No showers. We thoroughly enjoyed the 9pm ranger program about Bats. Bring a flashlight and a sense of humor. No hookups was completely worth it for the beauty and quiet of this campground. We felt safe because the rangers come they every couple hours. We saw an elk walk thru campground and also bison roaming just outside campground entrance.
Alicia5050 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Bison”
Reviewed 6/25/2018
Nightly rate: | $18 |
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Days stayed: | 4 |
Site Number: | ? Forgot |
RV Length: | 26' |
This is a very quiet campground less than 1 mile from Wind Cave NP. It was never even close to full while we were here. We enjoyed the full sun on our solar, but could be hot during warmer months as shade is limited. Flush toilets and water available, also fire wood for a donation. They have nightly ranger lead talks on various sub... more
This is a very quiet campground less than 1 mile from Wind Cave NP. It was never even close to full while we were here. We enjoyed the full sun on our solar, but could be hot during warmer months as shade is limited. Flush toilets and water available, also fire wood for a donation. They have nightly ranger lead talks on various subjects that are very good. The trail around the back of the campground is about 1 mile and worth the walk. Oh, and the bison! The campground if fenced off to keep the bison out of the campground, but we could see them roaming just outside the fence. We got no cell signal, but would drive up the Wind Cave entrance where they have free wifi each evening to get "stuff done."
No Reservations would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Only to spend night”
Reviewed 6/12/2018
Nightly rate: | $9 |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | B4 |
RV Length: | 28' |
It was really just like pulling off on the edge of the road...no great campground! But it was not too far from attractions... Tent sites were nicer.
Maggie5160 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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Wind Cave National Park and Elk Mountain Campground
Located directly south of The Black Hills of South Dakota, Custer State Park, and Mount Rushmore is Wind Cave National Park. After you’ve toured enough caves and caverns, the smaller ones tend to...
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
Site Amenities
- fire ring
- picnic table
Facilities
- firewood
- group sites
- ADA Accessible
- recycle
- restrooms: flush
- trash
- water available
Pets
- pets
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