In the 1840s and 50s, nearly a half million pioneers, gold rush Forty-Niners and Pony Express Riders embarked along the Oregon Trail during the greatest overland migration the country has even seen. Risking their lives, they traveled across the continental divide to settle the western wilderness.
By the 1860s more trails and roads with names like the Bridger Trail, the Bozeman Trail, the Overland Trail and the Texas Trail developed out of the First Road West. Today, visitors can experience first-hand adventure on these Historic Trails, visiting important landmarks, historic sites and trading posts that were once vital to earlier travelers.
Browse through each of the trails listed below, or look for Trails related businesses in our Historic Trail Listings.
Lander Trail
Built in 1858 as the first federally funded and deliberately constructed trail, the 256-mile Lander Trail was initially created for the purpose of moving military troops to the Pacific Coast for protection of those areas. more...
Bozeman Trail
In 1863, John Bozeman and John Jacobs discovered the Bozeman Trail as a shortcut to the gold rush in Montana. Called “the last great overland emigrant trail in the American West.” more...
Bridger Trail
The Bridger Trail, opened in 1864, offered a safer alternative to the Bozeman Trail for prospectors looking to make their fortune in the Montana gold rush. Famous mountain man and guide, Jim Bridger, created the trail west of the Big Horn Mountains. more...
California Trail
When gold fever hit in the late 1840s, cries of “Ho California!” could be heard across the country as eager Forty-Niners and farmers packed up their families and belongings and headed west. more...
Cherokee Trail
In 1849 and 1850, many Cherokees left their reservation in Oklahoma and headed west to seek their fortunes in the California gold fields. more...
Cheyenne Deadwood Stage Route
Beginning in 1876, stagecoaches following the 300-mile Cheyenne-Deadwood Stage Road carried passengers from Cheyenne to the gold fields in the Black Hills of South Dakota. more...
Mormon Pioneer Trail
“The best organized mass migration in American history” began in 1846 as the first group of Mormons, led by Brigham Young, traveled from Nauvoo, Illinois to Great Salt Lake in Utah. more...
Nez Perce Trail
In 1877, 750 anti-treaty Nez Perce fled from Lake Wallowa, Oregon to Canada, which they considered their last option for a peaceful life. more...
Oregon Trail
The pioneers of the 1840s entered “Oregon Country” when they crossed the Continental Divide at South Pass along the Oregon Trail. more...
Overland Trail
Established by “Stagecoach King” Ben Holladay on orders from the U.S. Post Office Department, the Overland Trail carried nearly 20,000 emigrants a year west between 1862 and 1868. more...
Pony Express Trail
Glorified in books, movies and television shows, The Pony Express is an icon of American history. more...
Texas Trail
In 1894, some 800,000 head of wild, longhorn cattle from Texas were moved along the trail into the territories of Wyoming and Montana to stock the open ranges. more...
One of "nine young men from Kentucky" who accompanied Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on their explorations of Louisiana Territory, John Colter became one of the expedition's most adept hunters. He was about thirty years old when the expedition set off in 1804, stood five feet ten inches tall, and looked out at the world through piercing blue eyes. read more
Weather is one of the most pleasant and interesting things about living in Wyoming. Enjoy your trip to the Cowboy State. read more
