Best Teton Valley Hikes: Darby Canyon Wind Cave Trail
This one ranks in our top 10 favorite hikes to date! It is also one of the best Teton Valley hikes that can be done in a day. While also one of the more difficult ones we have done with kids in a while. This 6.3 round trip hike also has 1800 feet of elevation gain. At least that means the way back is all downhill!
There is a reason why this is considered one of the best Teton Valley hikes! What starts as a flat walk by a creek and through a meadow quickly turns into un uphill hike through the woods. As you climb the view of the surrounding canyon just gets better and better.
From half way up you can already see the massive cave entrance in the distance that you get to explore inside of! To top it off, a stream runs out of the cave to a beautiful waterfall.
Prefer video? Click below to see our family hike to Darby Canyon Wind Cave.
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Darby Wind Caves Trail
The Darby Wind Cave Trail is 6.3 miles round trip with 1800 feet of elevation gain. The hike is strenuous but has great views pretty much all the way up. The best part is when you see the massive cave entrance in the distance though.
Along the way you will pass a few interesting waypoints. One is a rock formation called Black Bread Rock. It has a very flat sheer side that maybe is supposed to look like a piece of bread, but to me just looks like a very smooth surface with white upside down icicles.
You will also pass Twin Wind Falls. When we were there, these were dry and we were able to go under the overhang to sit for a bit. The back of the area underneath the overhang looked like a brick wall from a distance but it is just the cracks in the rock that make it look this way.
Darby Wind Caves
There are actually two caves here that connect. Darby Wind Cave has the huge, iconic entrance. However, there is also a Darby Ice Cave entrance just three quarters of a mile further up the canyon.
A trip between the two not only requires technical rope work, but it can also be completely blocked by ice. This should only be attempted by experienced cavers in conjunction with a grotto that has done this trip before.
Darby Wind Cave gets its name from a small blowing hole in the back of it. It’s just large enough to crawl through and a massive amount of icy air moves through it.
While we didn’t explore past it, we’re told that it doesn’t go very far before it becomes impassible without ropes and proper gear. DO NOT go back there without lights! As always, with caving, a main light and two backups are preferable.
To get into the cave entrance, carefully navigate around the flowing water as it can make the area slippery.
Expect a rocky uphill climb into the cave. There is a lot of rock debris on the floor. Watch your step and help kids as needed.
Looking back at the entrance and the bright sky beyond makes the cave opening look even more like a keyhole.
Darby Canyon Camping
All of Darby Canyon is located within Caribou-Targhee National Forest. As such, free camping is everywhere! There are numerous pullouts along Darby Canyon Road. While it is a popular place to camp, there are also a lot of established campsites.
Tent campers and smaller RVs should have no issue finding a spot. Many of the sites would even accommodate large RVs. However, we would not even consider taking our 40′ 5th Wheel down that road! It’s narrow, bumpy, and has a lot of low hanging trees.
What To See Next
The small waterfall coming out of the cave entrance was pretty, but there are several other massively impressive waterfalls in the West Tetons that you should check out.
The hike to Darby Wind Cave is pretty strenuous, so if you’re looking for other outdoorsy adventures we highly recommend a rails to trails bike ride or a paddle on the Teton River where you may even see moose!
After than you may want a more relaxing laid back activity and a ride up the Grand Targhee chairlift to stunning scenery would be just the thing.
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