The view from Robbers Cave
Robbers Cave State Park Hiking, Mtn Bike & Equestrian Trails


Robbers Cave offers over 50 miles of Equestrian and Mtn Biking trails scattered throughout its 8,200+ acres of wilderness. Some of the hiking trails also feature backpacking campsites, including sites at Coon Creek and Cattail Pond. Some of the other trails in the park, listed below, include:

Cattail Pond Trail

    The Basics
  • Type: Hiking
  • Length: 2¾ miles Loop
  • Difficulty: Easy - Moderate
  • Time: 1½ hours - 2½ hours
  • Requirements: None
    Description
  • The Cattail Pond Trail can either be accessed from the Rough Canyon Trail, in two different locations, or from the end of the Mountain Trail. A portion of this trail is shared with the Rough Canyon Trail, for approx. ½ mile. Another portion of the trail is also used to connect the Rough Canyon Trail with the Mountain Trail.
  • This trail is a leisurely stroll through the woods on the west side of Rough Canyon Creek, and the east side of the canyon is shared with the Rough Canyon Trail. This trail also passes by Cattail Pond, a decent-sized pond on the north end of the property. It is a very scenic body of water. The portion of the trail between the Rough Canyon Trail and the Mountain Trail crosses Rough Canyon, and can be a little steep in places.
    Additional Info
  • Camping: No
  • Water: No water on trail
  • Trail Head(s): Rough Canyon Tr.; Mountain Tr.
  • Trail Markings: Double Blue Blazes
  • Pets Allowed:
  • Recommended Season:

Coon Creek Ridge Trail

    The Basics
  • Type: Hiking, Mtn Biking
  • Length: 2 miles Loop
  • Difficulty: Easy - Moderate
  • Time: 1 hour - 2 hours
  • Requirements: None
    Description
  • Starting near the cabin office, across from the Whispering Pines Campground, this nearly 2 mile looped trail will take you to a heavily wooded area above Coon Creek, and has many neat rock formations along its route. A scenic bluff overlooks Coon Creek as well.
    Additional Info
  • Camping: No
  • Water: No water on trail
  • Trail Head(s): Cabin Office
  • Trail Markings: Red Blazes
  • Pets Allowed:
  • Recommended Season:

Mountain Trail

    The Basics
  • Type: Hiking, Backpacking
  • Length: 4¾ miles One-Way
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Time: 2½ - 4½ hours
  • Requirements: Backpackers must register and pay for campsite at cabin office.
    Description
  • Beginning near the Deep Ford Campground at the south end of the park, the Mountain trail eventually makes its way towards the west side of Rough Canyon, to end at the Cattail Pond Trail. This trail will take hikers up and down along the forests and bluffs overlooking Lake Carlton and Lake Wayne Wallace. As the trail begins to leave Lake Wayne Wallace and head towards Rough Canyon, backpackers will find the Rocky Top designated backcountry campsite, one of two backcountry sites within the park. After about another 1½ miles, the trail will end at the Cattail Pond Trail, on the west side of Rough Canyon.
    Additional Info
  • Camping: Rocky Top backcountry campsite
  • Water: Seasonably available; must treat
  • Trail Head(s): Deep Ford low-water dam
  • Trail Markings: Blue Blazes
  • Pets Allowed:
  • Recommended Season:

Robbers Cave Nature Trail

    The Basics
  • Type: Hiking
  • Length: ¾ mile Loop
  • Difficulty: Easy - Moderate
  • Time: 1 hour
  • Requirements: None
    Description
  • Located near the back of the park, this trail will take you to the main feature of the park, Robbers Cave. Once used as a hideout for outlaws such as Jessie James and Belle Starr, the massive sandstone formations and rocks also offored a natural corral in which they could hide their horses. The trail will take you atop the rocks to the cave entrance, then makes a loop behind the cave and back around and down to the beginning. From up top, the views of the surrounding San Bois Mtns are spectacular.
    Additional Info
  • Camping: No
  • Water: No water on trail
  • Trail Head(s): Robbers Cave Parking Area
  • Trail Markings: Yellow Markers
  • Pets Allowed:
  • Recommended Season:

Rough Canyon Trail

    The Basics
  • Type: Hiking, Backpacking
  • Length: 2.85 miles Loop
  • Difficulty: Easy - Moderate
  • Time: 1½ miles - 2½ miles
  • Requirements: Backpackers must register and pay for campsite at cabin office.
    Description
  • The Rough Canyon trail begins just west of the Robbers Cave parking lot, and will take hikers towards Rough Canyon, follow along with the Cattail Pond trail, then return back, passing by Lost Lake. From the first intersection with the Cattail Pond trail, hikers can also take a left/south turn for approx. ½ mile, across Rough Canyon Creek, and access the Mountain Trail. If the trail is followed right/north for approx. ½ mile, the two split, and the Rough Canyon Trail heads back east, and passes by beautiful Lost Lake. This is also where the second backcountry campsite is located. From here, it is only approx. 1 mile back to Robbers Cave.
    Additional Info
  • Camping: Lost Lake backcountry campsite
  • Water: Seasonably available; must treat
  • Trail Head(s): Robbers Cave parking lot
  • Trail Markings:
  • Pets Allowed:
  • Recommended Season: