more stats
3.1 miles
Distance
1,789 ft
Climb
-9 ft
Descent
01:54:05
Avg time
1,780 ft
Altitude change
7,032 ft
Altitude min
8,812 ft
Altitude max
7,032 ft
Altitude start
8,812 ft
Altitude end
10.9%
Grade
-6.9%
Grade max
150.8%
Grade min
3 miles
Distance climb
400 ft
Distance down
554 ft
Distance flat
01:54:05
Avg time

Wind Cave Details

  • Activities
    • Hike
    • Horse
    • Trail Running
    • Backcountry Ski
  • Riding Area
    Jed Smith South
    Alta, Wyoming
  • Ref Number
    #033
  • AKA
    South Darby Trail
  • Difficulty Rating
  • Local Popularity
    100 in Hiking [+]
    • 100 in Trail Running
    • 5 in Horseback
    • 5 in Backcountry Skiing
  • Global Ranking
    #40 in Hiking [+]
    • #7818 in Trail Running
    • #22898 in Horseback
    • #7330 in Backcountry Skiing
  • State Ranking
    #1 in Hiking · Wyoming [+]
    • #72 in Trail Running
    • #538 in Horseback
    • #48 in Backcountry Skiing
  • Hiking SAC Scale
    T2 Mountain Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Direction
    Both Directions
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Trail Visibility
    Always easy to follow
  • Season
    Best in summer or fall.
  • Family Friendly
    Yes
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed

Popular trail up to Wind Cave. Most of the trail is easy hiking, with about a quarter mile of steep hiking near the mouth of the cave. The cave opening is large, like over 100' tall, but quickly narrows. A stream flows from the cave, creating a scenic waterfall below the mouth of the cave. In the winter it turns into a huge column of ice. It is possible to explore the cave system, but it should only be done by experienced cavers. People have gotten lost in the caves, requiring rescue.

Access Info

Although this trail is located in Wyoming you access it via Darby Canyon on the Driggs, Idaho side. Take East 3000 South from Idaho highway 33 -- the intersection is clearly marked. Go east until you hit a T intersection at South Stateline Road. Go right and follow the road up the canyon to the parking lot at the end of the road. The USFS closes the road up Darby canyon at the state line in the fall and reopens it after it dries out, typically in May.

Tags
CaveFamily friendlyViewsWaterfall

Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

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  • 19 rides
  • 8 miles avg distance
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  • 53 rides
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Wind Cave Trail Reports

Status:
on Sep 11, 2025
Ideal
Avg: 4.02 (2 votes)
Your vote: 0

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      Directions to wind-cave trailhead (43.686630, -110.968790)

      Photos

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      81 |
      Jun 15, 2023 @ 8:39am
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      119 |
      Aug 26, 2020 @ 6:00pm
      Aug 26, 2020
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      128 |
      Aug 26, 2020 @ 6:00pm
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      86 |
      Sep 11, 2025 @ 12:08pm
      Sep 11, 2025

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      4.5 ★★★★★
      2 Ratings
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      1 Review & Comments


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      • By BonkedAgainTF Pro & contributors
      • #319640 - 2,775 views

      Frequently Asked Questions

      ▼ Where is Wind Cave located?
      Wind Cave is located in Jed Smith South, Alta, Wyoming, United States. It is part of the Jed Smith South trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 43.68663, -110.96879.
      ▼ How hard is Wind Cave?
      Wind Cave is rated as Green difficulty. The physical rating is Moderate. The average grade is 10.9%.
      ▼ What is the elevation gain for Wind Cave?
      Wind Cave has 1,789 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 9 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 7,032 ft to 8,812 ft.
      ▼ Is Wind Cave a point to point trail?
      Wind Cave is not a point to point trail. The direction is Both Directions. The trail type is singletrack.
      ▼ How long is Wind Cave?
      Wind Cave is 3.1 miles long. The trail type is singletrack.
      ▼ Are dogs allowed on Wind Cave?
      Yes, dogs are allowed on Wind Cave. Please keep dogs on a leash where required and clean up after them.
      ▼ When is the best time of year to hike Wind Cave?
      Wind Cave is best visited during: Best in summer or fall..
      ▼ How do I access Wind Cave? Where is the closest parking trailhead?
      The closest parking and trailhead locations to Wind Cave are: View all parking locations in the area.
      ▼ How long does it take to hike Wind Cave?
      Based on recorded activities, it takes an average of 2 hours 4 minutes to hike Wind Cave. The trail is 3.1 miles long. Actual times will vary based on fitness level, conditions, and pace. View recent activity logs for more details.
      ▼ How busy is Wind Cave?
      Wind Cave is a very popular trail. There have been 342 recorded activities on this trail. The trail has received 516 check-ins. View recent activity on this trail.

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