Welcome to Sinks Canyon State Park
Welcome to Sinks Canyon State Park
Welcome to Sinks Canyon State Park
Welcome to Sinks Canyon State Park
Welcome to Sinks Canyon State Park

Hiking

Saturday, 09 October 2010 07:48 Last Updated on Thursday, 06 January 2011 02:53 Written by Administrator

The Popo Agie Nature Trail

This trail is a lovely one mile loop that highlights the different habitats in the canyon. It winds through sagebrush meadows, conifer forests, aspen groves and riparian areas along the river.
Interpretive signs along the trail talk about the flora, fauna and geology.
The trail starts at the suspension bridge at the upper end of the Popo Agie Campground, climbs a short hill and winds back to the bridge. The hike is easy, but wear sturdy shoes since the trail is rocky in places.

The Canyon Trail

This trail is a four mile loop that begins at the suspension bridge in Popo Agie Campground, follows the natural trail for a few hundred yards, then cuts up canyon (following the Volksmarch signs, see Volksmarch trail description). The trail goes to Bruces Picnic Area and returns along the river to the suspension bridge.

This trail goes through sagebrush meadows, a large section of the pine forest, past and over glacial moraines, along the river and through aspen groves.

It gives a great overview of the canyon walls and habitats.

The Sinks to Rise Trail

A 1/2 mile trail between the Sinks and the Rise. This is a paved, fully ADA accessible, trail that connects the Sinks and the Rise. The trail crosses sagebrush meadows, through Riparian zones, and along the overflow channel with fantastic views of the soaring sandstone cliffs. Interpretive signs along the trial explain the geology, history and ecology of the area. A short, unpaved, loop trail branches off and goes along the overflow channel to signs that talk about the high spring water in the usually dry channel.

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Trails to climbing walls

In the canyon are several short, steep trails lead to climbing walls that can be used by anyone. The trails end at the climbing areas, but hikers can use them to access the base of the cliffs and then bushwhack from there. One trail starts across from Sawmill Campground and climbs to the top of the Tensleep sandstone cliffs on the south facing slope. Another branches off from the Popo Agie Nature Trail (about halfway along the trail) and climbs to the Madison Limestone on the north facing slope. A third climbing trail starts just past the state park boundary at the upper end of the canyon and switchbacks up the south facing slope to a popular climbing area called "killer cave." Although these trails are short, they are very steep.

The Falls Trail

click here for information on Hiking the Falls Trail