Popo Agie Trail – Sinks Canyon Sp

Distance: 2.5 miles Elevation Gain: 400 ft Difficulty: Easy Type: Out-and-Back Surface: Dirt Activity: Hiking Best Season: Spring-Fall Typical Time: 1-2 hours Fee: Free Dogs: True Permit: False

The Popo Agie Trail is the essential introduction to Sinks Canyon State Park, guiding visitors directly to the park's two most celebrated geological features: The Sinks and The Rise. This easy out-and-back route follows the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River through a verdant canyon shaded by cottonwoods, box elders, and willows.

At The Sinks, a viewing platform allows close observation of the river surging into a massive limestone cavern. The roar of water disappearing into darkness is both eerie and captivating. A short walk downstream leads to The Rise, where the water calmly re-emerges into a tranquil pool teeming with large brown trout that have adapted to living in the near-total darkness underground.

The trail is well-maintained and accessible to hikers of all ages and abilities. Interpretive signs along the route explain the karst geology responsible for this natural phenomenon. Spring brings snowmelt-swollen flows that make The Sinks even more dramatic, while fall foliage transforms the canyon into a brilliant display of gold and amber. This trail is a must-do for anyone visiting central Wyoming.