Wind Canyon Trail - Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Continuing our May 2021 scenic drive along East River Road in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, we stopped at the Wind Canyon trailhead to hike the loop trail to a viewpoint over 160 feet above the Little Missouri River. The trailhead is located on the left side of the road about 10¼ miles north of the visitor center on East River Road and just 0.3 miles south of the second intersection with Scenic Loop Drive.

At the trailhead, paved parking is available for10 passenger vehicles, one handicap-accessible vehicle, and four RVs. The loop is only 0.4 miles, but a number of stairs, the surface of gravel and dirt, and often windy conditions combine to give the trail a moderate rating. The trail climbs about 60 feet from the trailhead to the summit of the bluff.

While most of the geologic features in the park were formed by flowing water, Wind Canyon's soft clay walls were carved by the wind into some unique shapes including a series of holes resembling caves. Unfortunately for us, but not for the ecosystem, a number of trees and shrubs obscure our view into the canyon. 

Trailhead information sign

Wind-carved canyon

The mouth of Wind Canyon

Little Missouri River

A copse of trees on the side of the canyon

Bluffs above a river bend

View further downstream

View upstream

Typical trail conditions

Geese on the river

View from atop the bluff

An unnamed ridge to the northwest

View southeast (upstream)

Wind Canyon

Parking area on East River Road

An entry fee of $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, or $15 per person is valid for seven consecutive days at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Other fee payment options include the America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands passes including the Annual Pass ($80), Senior Pass ($80 for a lifetime), Access Pass (free with a documented disability), and Military Annual Pass (free for active-duty personnel). Also available is a Theodore Roosevelt National Park Annual Park Pass for $55.

The Theodore Roosevelt National Park website is https://www.nps.gov/thro/index.htm.