Auto Touring in Wind Cave

Auto Touring

The Black Hills area offers some of the most popular auto touring routes in the country.

Guide Sections

Use Auto Touring's guide sections to understand how this stop fits into the larger park plan.

Information

Auto Touring Details

Difficulty

Open

Distance

N/A

Estimated time

N/A

Region

Activities

There are four roads in Wind Cave National Park. U.S. Highway 385 and U.S. Highway 87 run north-south through the west side of the park. Highway 385 is the widest, and most frequently traveled road in the park. US-385 travels into Black Hills National Forest as well, and is the access road for many of the region's hiking trails and lakes. You can also explore the park via NPS-5 from the south and NPS-6 from the north. Both of these narrow gravel roads offer access to habitat for elk, buffalo, and prairie dogs. Black Hills National Forest is highly accessible for drivers. The Custer region in the southeastern end of the park and the Spearfish area in the northern end of the park both feature popular scenic roads. The Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway winds through the dramatic limestone walls of Spearfish Canyon for 22 miles. The Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway travels through the southern area of the park, where you'll see lakes, impressive rock formations (including the iconic Mt. Rushmore), and herds of roaming buffalo.