Big Easy Cave Gulch Loop

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Features Downhill · Views

Overall, the trails here at Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park are steep, narrow and technical. The only easy way to the top of the Park is via the sealed Park Road, and that is the way this route takes you. For the descent, the route takes Cave Gulch Trail down, which thanks to improvements made in 2022 is now arguably the less intimidating trail to ride down. Keep in mind that the trail is still steep and loose in places and is a solid hard intermediate in grade.

Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park and Campground is open all year round. Water is available during the summer months (May 1 to September 30). The Park is south facing, and the trails often remain snow free later in the fall, and dry out faster in the Spring compared to other riding areas.
The Park is located on Montana Hwy 2, 15 miles east of Whitehall or 19 miles west of Three Forks.

The route starts at the Main Visitor Center at the bottom of Eastside Trail, but could easily be started from anywhere at the southern end of the park. Head north up the start of Eastside Trail on an easy warmup grade until a junction where the trail turns a sharp right, and our route turns left to join the Lewis and Clark Cavern Park Road, just before the gate. During the summer months, the Park Road will be open to cars and you'll have to be wary of other traffic. Outside of the summer months you can duck under/over the gate and will probably have the road all to yourself. The road is sealed, has a moderate gradient and will have you ascending about 1,100 ft elevation over just under 3 miles. It mostly follows Greer Gulch River, and although it is nice, you don't quite get the amazing views that you get from the trails - that will be your reward for making it to the top of the climb!

At the top you'll arrive at the Cave Visitor Center, which is open during the summer months. There are some nice views even just from the parking lot, and it is worth walking around up here to soak in the atmosphere of the place.

Cave Gulch Trail will leave directly from the southern end of the parking lot. As mentioned in the summary, the top half mile of trail was re-routed in 2022, and is now one of the best sections of downhill in Park. It is fast and flowy with large bermed corners. Following that you have the most difficult part of the ride, where the trail becomes steep and loose as it goes directly down the gulch.The middle section of trail traverses 1/3 mile around the hill and there is a short steep technical section involved in this traverse. The traverse will take you to the trail junction with Middle View Trail atop a small saddle. From here you have a mile of fast and flowy downhill through mostly open grassland. This section is probably the easiest and least technical part of Cave Gulch Trail, although there are still some mild technical features and some steep sections. The trail will drop you out at the top of the campground where you can follow your nose back to your starting point.