Highland Creek Trail
This is the longest and most strenuous trail in Wind Cave National Park.
Plan Around Highland Creek Trail
A good stop is not just something to read about. Once it belongs on the day, move into a saved trip and build the route around it.
Use this detail page to confirm that the stop is worth it, then carry that decision into a trip draft while the park context is still fresh.
Highland Creek Trail Details
This is the longest and most strenuous trail in Wind Cave National Park. It travels 8.6 miles (one way) from its southern terminus at the midpoint of the Wind Cave Canyon Trail to its northern terminus off NPS-5, 2.8 miles to the east of Highway 87. Hikers will pass through short-grass and tall-grass prairies, pine forests, and riparian habitats along Highland Creek, Beaver Creek and Wind Cave Canyon. Estimate about a full day to complete this hike.
Difficulty
High
Distance
17.2 miles
Estimated time
Full day
Region
N/A
Nearby Parks Around Highland Creek Trail
Compare nearby parks around Highland Creek Trail when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Highland Creek Trail
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Highland Creek Trail while the map context is still fresh.
0.4 mi away
Wind Cave Canyon Trail
This 3.6-mile trail meanders along Wind Cave Canyon, and is a great trail for bird watchers.
1.0 mi away
Fairgrounds Tour
This is the most strenuous cave tour available at Wind Cave National Park, and the one with the most diverse sights,
1.0 mi away
Garden of Eden Tour
This is the easiest of the cave tours offered at Wind Cave National Park.
1.0 mi away
Prairie Vista Trail
This is a one-mile, self-guided interpretive trail.
1.0 mi away
Wind Cave Visitor Center
The Wind Cave Visitor Center is located in the southern end of the park, on a spur road off of Highway 385.
