Fees & Passes

Free

No entrance pass required

An entrance pass is not required to access Wind Cave National Park.

Other National Park Service sites may require an entrance pass or fee. Depending on your trip plans, an interagency pass may save you money.

There are no fees to drive through or hike in the park. Fees are only charged for cave tours.

There are no entrance fees to enjoy the trails, scenic drives, and visitor center at Wind Cave National Park. All cave tours have associated fees and are not covered by the Federal Interagency Passes. Campground fees may be reduced by Senior and Access Interagency Pass holders.

2025 Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

Come experience the national parks! All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply). Mark your calendar for these entrance fee-free dates:

• Thursday, January 9 — National Day of Mourning for President James Earl Carter Jr.
• Monday, January 20 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Saturday, April 19 — First Day of National Park Week
• Thursday, June 19 — Juneteenth National Independence Day
• Monday, August 4 — Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
• Saturday, September 27 — National Public Lands Day
• Tuesday, November 11 — Veterans Day

 

Cave Tour Fees

Approximately half of all cave tour tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Call 605-745-4600 for large group information.

Only credit/debit cards or digital payments are accepted for all cave tours, campground fees, and Interagency Passes.

Garden of Eden Tour

Adults Age 62+	$7
Adults (ages 16 to 61)	$14
Children (ages 6 to 15)	$7
Age 5 and under	Free

Natural Entrance Tour

Adults Ages 62+	$8
Adults (ages 16 to 61)	$16
Children (ages 6 to 15)	$8
Ages 5 and under	Free

Fairgrounds Tour

Adults ages 62+	$8
Adults (ages 16 to 61)	$16
Children (ages 6 to 15)	$8
Ages 5 and under	Free

Candlelight Tour

Minimum age for the Candlelight Tour is 8 years old.
 

Ages 8 and up

$16

Wild Cave Tour

Minimum age for the Wild Cave Tour is 16 years old with a signed parent permission slip.
 

Ages 16 and up

$45

Accessibility Tour

Sign-language interpreters are available for the hearing impaired with two weeks advanced notice.
 

Adults Ages 62+	$3
Adults (ages 16 to 61)	$6
Children (ages 6 to 15)	$3
Ages 5 and under	Free

 

Tour Reservations

A portion of tour tickets are available for advanced purchase through www.recreation.gov. Reservations are recommended as tours often sell out March through October and on holiday weekends throughout winter. Tickets can be reserved up to three days in advance.

Approximately half of all cave tour tickets remain available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis at the visitor center the day of the tour. Same-day tickets often sell out 1-2 hours or more before tour times.

Camping Fees

Camp where the prairie meets the forest at the Elk Mountain Campground. The fee is $24.00 per site per night regularly, and $12.00 per site per night when the water is turned off (generally October through May). Visitors holding a Senior or Access Pass, or a Golden Age or Golden Access Pass pay half price a night per site.

 

Passes and Special Use Fees

America the Beautiful: National Park & Federal Recreational Lands Pass

As of 2007 the Golden Age, Golden Eagle, and Golden Access passes were replaced with a new series of interagency passes call the America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass. Passes can be purchased at the Wind Cave visitor center and at any staffed entrance station throughout the national park system.

NOTE: Interagency passes do not waive Expanded Amenity Fees such as cave tours.

Annual Pass - $80
Available to the general public and provides access to, and use of, federal recreation sites that charge an entrance fee for a full year from month of purchase.

Every Kid Outdoors 4th Grade Pass - Free
Available to U.S. 4th graders or home school equivalents with a valid Every Kid Outdoors paper voucher. Valid for the duration of the 4th grade school year through the following summer (September - August). Learn more at the Every Kid Outdoors website.

Senior Lifetime Pass - $80
A lifetime pass for U.S. citizens and permanent residents age 62 and over.

Senior Annual Pass - $20
An annual pass for U.S. citizens and permanent residents age 62 and over. Good for one full year from month of purchase.

Access Pass - Free
A lifetime pass for U.S. citizens and permanent residents with permanent disabilities.

Military Annual Pass - Free
Available to active duty military personnel and dependents with proper identification (CAC Card or DD Form 1173) for a full year from month of purchase.

Military Lifetime Pass - Free
A lifetime pass for U.S. military veterans and Gold Star Family members with proper identification. Find detailed information about who qualifies, acceptable forms of identification, and how to download a Gold Star Family voucher.

Volunteer Pass - Free
Volunteers who acquire 250 service hours on a cumulative basis are eligible for this pass. It provides access to, and use of, federal recreation sites that charge an entrance fee for a full year from month of award.

Special Use Fees

There are also fees associated with special park uses including special events and professional photography. These activities need a special use permit.