Horseback Riding in Wind Cave

Horse owners are able to explore thousands of acres in the park.

NPS Photo / Abby Rimstidt

Wind Cave National Park offers a variety of activities for visitors, including horseback riding opportunities. Although there are no facilities in the park that provide horses, the park’s 33,000 acres of rolling prairie and ponderosa pine forest are ideal spots for horse owners to ride their own horses.

All horseback riders must obtain a free permit at the visitor center. These permits are used by park managers to monitor use.

Details

Activity

Horse Trekking

Pets Allowed

No

Pets such as dogs are not allowed in the backcountry unless they are a certified service animal. Emotional support animals are not service animals and are not allowed in backcountry areas.

Activity Fee

No

Horseback riding permits are free and may be obtained at the visitor center.

Reservations

No

Season

Year Round

Time of Day

Day

Horseback riding permits are for day use only; overnight stays are not permitted.

Accessibility Information

Horses cannot be ridden directly on roads or trails.

Regulations

• Horseback riding permits are for day use only; no overnight stays are permitted.
• While most of the park is open to riding, horseback riding is prohibited in the following areas: near water sources, directly on any maintained hiking trail, on park roadways, and in the campground and picnic areas.
• All hay and feed must be certified as weed free.

The open prairies on the north and east sides of the park are well suited for riders.

NPS Photo / Abby Rimstidt

Protecting the Park

Remember that all park resources -- rocks, antlers, bones, plants, animals, and artifacts -- are to remain as you find them. All visitors are entitled to the same sense of discovery you experience when traveling the park trails, and collecting these items is illegal.

While riding through the park, do not leave traces of your visit. Litter is unsightly and spoils the park experience for everybody.

Safety Information

• All drinking water must be carried in. There are no approved drinking water sources in the backcountry.
• Know your destination and the route you intend to take on your horseback ride. Bring along a topographic map and a compass. Topographic maps may be purchased from the bookstore.
• Open fires are prohibited at all times due to the threat of wildfires.
• Do not approach any wild animal. You must stay at least 25 yards away from all wildlife, although it is strongly recommended to stay farther away from bison. These majestic animals are unpredictable and dangerous and may charge without warning. Bison are more aggressive during the calving and mating season from May through August.
• Prairie rattlesnakes are common throughout the park, especially near rocky areas and prairie dog towns.
• Ticks, mosquitoes, and deer flies are plentiful in the park.

Please call the visitor center if you have any questions: [phone]