The Coal Vein Trail
This rail follows a coal vein that burned slowly from 1951 to 1977.
Guide Sections
Use The Coal Vein Trail's guide sections to understand how this stop fits into the larger park plan.
The Coal Vein Trail Details
Difficulty
Moderate
Distance
0.8 miles
Estimated time
45 minutes
Region
N/A
Evidence of a now-dormant natural coal-vein fire is easily visible along this trail, which offers the choice of a 0.6-mile inner loop or a 0.8-mile outer loop. Be sure to take a guide at the trailhead to identify the markers posted along the trail, which have educational information about the area's unique ecology and geology. The trail, which includes stairs, winds through juniper trees with twisted formations, across bentonite clay (very slippery when wet), and has gorgeous views of neighboring ridges and badlands.