Cave Spring Trail

Cave Spring Trail. . This short trail passes Cave Spring, one of the area's few year-round water sources. An excellent natural campsite, this location contains evidence of almost 1,000 years of human use. You can see remnants of a cowboy camp in the first alcove, which served as an open-air bunkhouse. Cowboys lived in isolated camps like these from the 1890s until 1975, when cattle ranching was discontinued in Canyonlands., Beyond the cowboy camp, there is evidence of earlier human use, including rock markings, grinding slicks, and a smoke-blackened ceiling., Help protect the human history of this area. Do not enter the cowboy camp, touch the rock markings, or disturb the sacred spring., Trail Description , This loop trail passes evidence of both historic and prehistoric peoples. You can reach the cowboy camp, spring, and rock markings via an easy walking trail. Do not touch rock markings or contaminate the sacred spring., Past the spring, two ladders lead to views of the surrounding terrain. See trail guide for more information on the human history of the area., Roundtrip Distance , 0.6 miles (1 km), 45 minutes, Protect Yourself , . In Summer: Drink plenty of water, eat salty snacks, and limit activity to mornings and evenings. , . In Winter: Drink plenty of water, dress in layers, and carry traction devices for your shoes. Trails can be treacherous when icy. , . Cairns: Small rock piles called cairns mark the trail. Do not move, knock down, or build additional cairns as this can cause other hikers to lose their way. , . Lightning: Return to your vehicle if possible. Avoid lone trees, cliff edges, or high ridges., Protect Your Park , . Always walk on trails, rock, or in wash bottoms so protect biological soil crust (knobby black dirt). , . Do not mark on rocks. It is unsightly and illegal. , . Pets, strollers, and bicycles are not permitted on trails. , . It is illegal to remove natural or cultural objects including plants, rocks, wood, or artifacts. ,