Indian Cave Trails 2, 3 and 3A Loop Hiking Guide
This short loop packs most of what Indian Cave State Park is known for into a couple of hours. It climbs from the old St. Deroin townsite through hardwood forest, passes a pioneer cemetery, reaches the scenic overlook above the Missouri River, and drops down a ravine to the park's living history cabins. Several moderate climbs make it more work than the mileage suggests.
Permit: A Nebraska state park entry permit is required for each vehicle: $7 per day or $35 per calendar year with Nebraska plates, and $14 per day or $70 per year with out-of-state plates. Duplicate annual stickers for a second household car cost half. Permits are sold at the park, online and at Game and Parks offices.
Building the Loop
Hiking Project maps the three pieces separately: Trail 2 at 1.2 miles with about 302 feet of climbing, Trail 3 at 0.4 miles climbing about 191 feet toward the overlook, and Trail 3A at 0.7 miles, nearly all downhill. A Hiking Project contributor links them into one loop from the parking lot near the old schoolhouse, about 2.3 miles with roughly 500 feet of climbing in total. The same contributor warns that the online state park map shows Trail 3A in the wrong place, so follow the trail posts rather than the map at the junctions.
Overlook, Cemetery and Ravine
Trail 2 is a walk through hardwood forest near the river with several moderate climbs, a cemetery and a couple of backpacking campsites. Trail 3 continues up through the woods to the scenic overlook on the park's loop road, where there is parking and a restroom; Game and Parks' fall photos of the river come from this spot. Trail 3A starts at the overlook and follows a ravine down through the forest to the living history cabins.
St. Deroin
The loop starts and ends at what is left of St. Deroin, an old Missouri River town. Game and Parks has restored its schoolhouse and general store, and living history weekends through the summer and fall bring demonstrations of old-time crafts; the Hiking Project contributor found blacksmithing, candle dipping and lye soap making at the cabins. Haunted Hollow events fill three weekends in October, so expect a busier park then.
Permit and Dogs
Bring or buy a park entry permit: $7 a day for a Nebraska vehicle, $14 for other plates, or an annual sticker at $35 or $70. Dogs are welcome on a leash of six feet or less, but keep them out of public buildings such as the schoolhouse. The park has 22 miles of hike and bike trails, so mountain bikers may share the climbs.
Seasons and Hunting
Indian Cave's hardwood forest is a fall color destination, and the park's mushroom-hunting contest shows how busy the woods get in spring. Hunting is one of the park's listed activities, so wear something bright when you hike here during the fall deer seasons.
Hiking tips for Indian Cave Trails 2, 3 and 3A Loop
- Follow trail posts at the 3A junction; the online park map places Trail 3A incorrectly.
- Walk the trails in order, 2 then 3 then 3A, so the ravine on 3A is your descent.
- Pause at the overlook restroom and parking area before the downhill leg.
- Visit on a living history weekend to see the St. Deroin cabins in use.
- Wear blaze orange or another bright color during fall hunting seasons.
Nearby trails to explore
- Hardwood Trail (Indian Cave State Park)
- Wehrspann Lake Trail (Chalco Hills)
- History Trail (Fontenelle Forest)
Hike this trail with TrailMates
This loop pairs well with a picnic and a stop at the cave, which makes it an easy group day trip from Omaha. Post it on TrailMates, split the drive and the park permit in the event's group chat, and meet by the St. Deroin schoolhouse. Download TrailMates on the App Store or Google Play.