Wind Cave Canyon Trail

Wind Cave Canyon Trail is the most scenic and most popular hiking route in Wind Cave Canyon, following a former service road 1.8 miles one-way to the eastern boundary of the national park. The out-and-back route covers 3.6 miles total with just 209 feet of elevation gain — easy enough for young children and older visitors alike. As you hike down the trail, limestone cliffs quickly come into view, providing nesting areas for cliff swallows, canyon wrens, and great horned owls. Woodpeckers are commonly spotted among the trees on the hillsides above the rocks. The area is also prime habitat for bison, hawks, owls, and wild turkeys. Arrive early in the morning for the best chance of seeing bison in the canyon before the heat of the day sends them into the shade. The trailhead is easily accessed from Highway 385, approximately 1 mile north of the Wind Cave Visitor Center turnoff, where a small dirt parking area sits just east of the road. The East Bison Flats Trail intersects about half a mile in, offering an optional extension. No dogs allowed on the trail.