Hardwood Trail (Indian Cave State Park) Hiking Guide
Hardwood Trail is the long way to Indian Cave. It crosses the rugged, forested hills of Indian Cave State Park in Nebraska's southeast corner, passes Adirondack shelters and backcountry campsites, and ends near the day-use area below the park's namesake sandstone cave. It is rough, eroded and steep in places, and Hiking Project singles it out for its solitude among old hardwoods.
Permit: Every motor vehicle entering a Nebraska state park needs a park entry permit. Nebraska-plated vehicles pay $7 a day or $35 for a calendar-year sticker; vehicles with other plates pay $14 a day or $70 a year. A second household vehicle's annual sticker is half price. Buy at the park entrance, online, or at Game and Parks offices and vendors.
Distance and Terrain
Hiking Project maps Hardwood Trail as a 7.1-mile point-to-point with about 605 feet of climbing and 796 feet of descent, between roughly 965 and 1,235 feet of elevation, with grades reaching 29 percent. Nebraska Game and Parks' trail map data lists the Hardwood Trail's segments at about 8.5 miles in total, so the mileage you walk depends on where you start. Hiking Project describes mostly doubletrack with erosion and steep inclines that can feel built for horses, and many side trails branching off to campsites and lean-tos.
Planning a Point-to-Point
Because the trail does not loop, either leave a second car at the eastern end or turn around partway. Hiking Project's directions end the trail at the day-use area; from there, follow the road northwest a short distance to the staircase up to Indian Cave. The same source suggests the trail as a beginner backpacking trip, since the campsites and shelters along it make short days easy. Register for camping at the entrance booth or park office, or use the Iron Ranger box after hours.
Indian Cave and the River
Indian Cave is the park's main geologic feature and carries prehistoric Native American petroglyphs of unknown date and origin. An accessible boardwalk with seating, signs and an eight-foot-wide viewing deck sits just below the cave opening, and it also looks out over the Missouri River. The park covers 3,052 acres along the river, with 22 miles of hike and bike trails and 16 miles of equestrian trails; Game and Parks says the most scenic trails are the ones along the river.
Permit, Dogs and Horses
A Nebraska vehicle pays $7 for the day or $35 for an annual permit good at every state park; out-of-state plates pay $14 or $70. Leashed dogs are allowed in Nebraska state parks on a leash no longer than six feet. Game and Parks' trail data marks most of Hardwood Trail as open to horses as well as hikers and bikes, so expect hoof-churned mud after rain and step aside for riders.
Seasons and Hunting
Fall is the showpiece here: Game and Parks calls the hardwood color each autumn spectacular. Indian Cave lists hunting among its activities, so wear blaze orange if you hike during the fall deer seasons. In spring the park holds a mushroom-hunting contest, and Game and Parks lists barred owls, Kentucky warblers and scarlet tanagers among its residents.
Hiking tips for Hardwood Trail (Indian Cave State Park)
- Set up a car shuttle, or plan an out-and-back to a shelter and turn around.
- Wear boots with good tread; erosion and 29 percent grades make the footing rough.
- Wear blaze orange on fall hikes, when deer hunters may be in the park.
- Finish at the day-use area and climb the staircase to see the petroglyphs at Indian Cave.
- Carry the full day's water; this is a long walk through backcountry with few services.
Nearby trails to explore
- Indian Cave Trails 2, 3 and 3A Loop
- Wehrspann Lake Trail (Chalco Hills)
- Gifford Trail Loop (Neale Woods)
Hike this trail with TrailMates
A shuttle hike like Hardwood Trail is far easier with two cars and a few friends. Post an Indian Cave trip in TrailMates, work out the drive from Omaha and the car drop in the event's group chat, and meet at the park entrance. Download TrailMates on the App Store or Google Play.