Karst View Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features Cave · Geological Significance · Wildflowers

This trail is on Cave of the Mounds property. There is no parking fee and the trails are free. However, access to the cave does have an admission cost.

This trail has an easy incline along the Blue Mounds. There are multiple sinkholes in the area because it is in Karst Topography. This type of topography has sinkholes, disappearing streams, and caves. In the summer, there are signs along the trail explaining the features of the trail. There is also a trail map in the visitor center with information. Most of the trail is unpaved but there are markers.

The first stop is an active sinkhole. Then there is a woodchip path to a semi-active sinkhole. This is all safe for people to observe. After the second sinkhole, rxk towards the Historic Barn to a pathway through the prairie and over a small bridge. This pathway leads to standing above one of the largest caves in the state. Next to this spot, there is a set of a few stairs that leads to the discovery site of Cave of the Mounds. Then you can hike above the deepest point of the cave and another spot above the cave. This pathway is marked with wooden markers and signs to guide you to the next spot.

There is an Oak Savanna restoration that runs alongside the trail. And there is a point where the trail goes through a prairie restoration. The flowers are seasonal, but there are large Oak Trees that are home to squirrels, deer, owls, birds, and woodpeckers. Foxes typically live in the area.