Camping

Wind Cave National Park only has one campsite, the Elk Mountain Campground, which is available on a first-come first-served basis. The 129-site campground is located on the edge of a prairie and forest, and has both tent and RV sites as well as restrooms and running water. Visitors can also pick up a free permit to explore and camp in the backcountry in the northwest region of the park. Black Hills National Forest has 30 campgrounds, most of which are available on a first-come first-served basis. You can camp along a lake, in the woods, or near a creek. You can also choose your own campsite: as long as you avoid spots near developed facilities, lakes, or established campgrounds, you can camp wherever you like in the forest for a maximum of 14 nights in any 60-day period. You are allowed to build a fire in the backcountry in parts of Wyoming, but not in South Dakota. Check in at the visitor center or one of the ranger district offices for more detailed information.