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Wind Cave
4.7 ★★★★★ 459 Google reviews · Running trail in Mesa, Arizona · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Wind Cave's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Popular hiking trail leading to a wind cave and featuring friendly chipmunks at the top.
What runners say about Wind Cave
“The trail was clean well maintained and clearly marked.”
“It was beautiful to look out at the view .”
“4 stars because the cave is not an actual cave but it was still kinda cool, I rested in the shade and there is a bunch of wildlife up there.”
This is a pretty simple trail with amazing views. Short and sweet you can be up and back in 2 hours. Definitely come during the week to avoid large crowds Some of the turns can be narrow, but otherwise not a difficult climb. This is a good one for the kids- there are few steep drop offs, so no worries
Awesome trail. Before you get to this trail you can stop on main road and get a great picture with the Phoenix letters behind you. The sunset is the best experience I have had in Phoenix. Bring a flashlight for your walk back. I believe it was around $8 for the car to enter the park BUT definitely worth it.
Great hike, gradual incline with a great path through the dessert leading up to an awesome cave formation at the top. The trail was clean well maintained and clearly marked.
We had a great hike toward the end of the day, so were there during "Magic Hour" and got some good pics. The trail is kind of steep (750' elevation gain in 1.5 miles). But doable with our workout walking sticks. Not much of a "cave"... more like a wind indentation. (3 miles round trip)
Trail conditions & character
“We even took the extra bit to get to the very top this portion is marked as “enter at your own risk” but the trial is very manageable and the view from the very top is epic.”
“Definitely come during the week to avoid large crowds Some of the turns can be narrow, but otherwise not a difficult climb.”
“4 stars because the cave is not an actual cave but it was still kinda cool, I rested in the shade and there is a bunch of wildlife up there.”
“Elevation gain is approximately 800 feet from trailhead to the cave.”
Plan your run at Wind Cave
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Websitefs.usda.gov
- Phone+1 480-984-0032
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am–8 pm |
Running trails near Mesa
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Merkle Trail
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Usery Mountain Regional Park
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A 3,648-acre park offering camping, archery & 29 miles of multi-use trails plus scenic wind caves.
Usery Mountain Regional Park Nature Center
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Usery Mountain Regional Park
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Park featuring picnic areas, hiking and mountain biking trails, and facilities.
