Red River Caves and Mountains Trail

Followed Frank’s advice from earlier review. Had a great hike on the trail. Would add that when you cross over by the big tank, the mines are a little bit down the road, not up it. We looked in the mines. Enjoyed this hike.

More of a road than a trail

If you are okay with being on a trail with every other motor vehicle in the world - then it’s a nice easy trail.

Great for kids! You don't have to stick to the road. There's a trail in the trees to the left. Start by crossing the creek next to the parking lot at the ski slope base and climb that ATV road. When you see the swinging gate on the left, cross the creek again. The trail is narrow and lush, beautiful and easy. There are several camp sites so be courteous (employee camping maybe?), and log crossings the kids will want to play on. When you see a 30ft tall metal tank, cross back to the road and look around up the hill. You'll see a wood framed mine entrance about 20ft up, then another 20ft higher. You can go in both, it's safe, very shallow, cool air, and kids freaking love it. Take a pic in a dark mine "full of ore" (Minecraft). There's another if you keep going up hill but it's more like a hole and it's steep and poor footing, so only do it if you like the challenge. Again the kids love scrambling on all fours.

This is just a gravel road with no shade up to a couple shallow mine shafts.

The trail did not have much shade and was rocky. Be very careful climbing up into the mine shafts due to a lot of loose rocks and dirt. The shafts were really neat but you need a flashlight other than your phone to really see and walk through! It’s a nice short hike. Bring water.

went in early July. weather was nice and cool. trail was light and easy but the scenery was amazing

Trail is a road going slightly uphill to the mine. One mine shaft easily visible, one about 50 feet higher up a steep slope. Trail continues up slope, very steep. Road appears to continue as well, but we turned back after the steep loop.

Great out and back trail.

easy wide trail for the first .6 miles or so. off to the right is a mine and a cave at the .6 mile. after that it gets extremely steep. we turned around.

The beginning of this trail is just an easy walk on a dirt road. The mine shafts were very cool! They are easy to find and easy to access. Hint: bring a flashlight! Your phone flashlight may not be bright enough. The river runs next to you for a while which was great for the dog. And then when we tried to follow the loop, there was no discernible path and it was very steep with almost no footing. I don’t recommend trying to stay on the trial for the loop portion. It’s not enjoyable enough to be worth it. But the relaxing stroll to see the caves is!

Starts out as a 4 wheel drive trail so be cautious of the “renters” learning their new skills. When the trail turns left it becomes a steep upslope with unsure footing. Within a hundred yards if so there is a deserted mineshaft and then a cave, shored as if it were another mining venture. We ventured up the steep slope but gave up a few hundred yards further as there seemed no abating the footing or grade. Checking the GPS we were still on the trail. I would class the first half mile or so as easy yet uninteresting, and the loop shown on the trail as difficult.

Beautiful hike for the family and two little dogs. Found the caves kids really excited would definitely do this one again. Short and sweet!