Wind Cave Canyon Trail
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
Bison frequent this canyon regularly. Maintain at least 100 yards of distance, never approach for photos, and if one is blocking the trail, wait patiently or turn back — they have the right of way and can sprint three times faster than you can run.
Rattlesnakes are present in the canyon from late spring through early fall, particularly around rocky outcrops and sunny ledges. Watch where you step and sit.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Start early morning to catch bison grazing in the canyon — herds regularly drift through here before the day heats up, and you'll have the trail essentially to yourself before 9 AM.
This trail connects to the Centennial Trail if you want to extend your day — take the junction about two miles in and loop back for a longer outing without retracing your steps.
Bring binoculars and scan the limestone bluffs carefully. The pockmarked cliff faces are riddled with small cave openings, and the canyon is one of the best birding corridors in the Black Hills — look for red-tailed hawks riding thermals above the rim.
