Indian staircase is not for most, but to a select few like me, it’s a classic. It is a steep rock-scramble-up sandstone that has some exposure that can get your heart pumping. Due to that, I rarely recommend this hike to guests visiting the gorge unless they sound adventurous. 

You will park at the Bison Way parking lot to visit this unofficial tail. The trail starts out on Bison Way Trail for aways before it cuts off to the right and up a steep incline to the base of the “staircase.” Here’s an AllTrails link you can use for accurate details and a downloadable GPS map to keep you from getting lost. 

You can do this as an out-and-back hike or complete an adventurous loop that includes Adena Arch. 

Again this is not for the faint of heart or those with excessive fear of heights. However, if you can stomach it, it’s a classic. 

Important note: Please stay on the trail to protect the area from excessive erosion. And do not carve your name into the sandstone or trees like so many people have done.