Wind Cavern Loop Hike

~ Red Mesa Rim Trail System, Page AZ ~

Map of the trailheads and hiking directions for the Wind Cavern Loop Hike off of the Red Mesa Rim Trail.

Hike Overview

Wind Cavern Loop hike in Page, Arizona is a 1-mile, moderately rated loop hike off the Red Mesa Rim Trail that visits two sandstone wind caverns, a striated tapestry wall, and a narrow slot canyon like pinch feature. The route follows informal terrain over slickrock, packed dirt and soft sand offering a high concentration of beautiful features for such a short hike.

Type of Hike : Loop or Out and Back

Length: 1 mile for the entire loop ~ .25 if going to one cavern

Difficulty:  Moderate

Terrain: Slickrock Sandstone, Deep Sand, Cliffs to avoid

Elevation Gain: 100 feet

Dog Friendly: Yes

Park Pass/Permit Required: No

Sandstone wind cavern along the Wind Cavern Loop hike near Page, Arizona
Wind-eroded sandstone cavern on the Wind Cavern Loop off Red Mesa Rim Trail
Sandstone cavern and textured wall on Wind Cavern Loop hike
Sandstone pinch section along Wind Cavern Loop near Page AZ
Intricate sand patterns in a wash bottom on Wind Cavern Loop hike
Wide view of sandstone wind cavern on Wind Cavern Loop

Directions to the Trailhead

There are two access points for this hike, depending on your objective. If you plan to complete the full loop, it is best to park at the Red Mesa Rim Trail parking area at the top of the mesa. The turnoff onto the gravel road is 0.6 miles south of the traffic light at the intersection of Coppermine Road and Highway 98. The parking area for the trail system is a short drive up this gravel road, and Nizhoni Cavern will be visible on the left as you drive in.

If you are only visiting Wind Cavern, parking is available at the end of the pavement on Cowboy Ray Road, approximately 200 yards south of the intersection.

Loop Hike Description

After parking, follow the colored dashes that mark the trail along the western edge of the mesa, the side that parallels Coppermine Road. Contour the rim for approximately 0.75 miles until reaching the northern tip of the mesa and Highway 98 comes into view. Here, you will leave the established trail system and scramble down to Wind Cavern.

After spending time at this gem of a feature, drop off the mesa to its base and begin contouring back parallel to Coppermine Road, staying close to the bottom edge of the mesa. Use the base of the mesa as your guide to reach the Textured Fringe, the Pinch, and finally Nizhoni Cavern before returning to your vehicle, completing roughly 1.5 miles of stellar hiking.