SOUTH PASS — During the 1800s, the area now known as Wyoming became the focus for western expansion. The discovery of the South Pass route over the Rocky Mountains was the primary reason for the location of the Oregon, Mormon Pioneer, California, and Pony Express historic trails in Wyoming.
BLM-administered public lands in Wyoming are one of the few remaining locations where these national historic trails can be experienced in a setting relatively unchanged from the 1800s. In Wyoming, 60% (over 340 miles) of the Oregon, California, Mormon Pioneer, and Pony Express trails are under BLM stewardship. Learn more about the historic trails by visiting this interactive map.
In 1986, a historic trails management plan was prepared to guide BLM management of the Oregon, California, Mormon Pioneer, and Pony Express trails and cutoffs. Since that time, interest in the historic trails and visitor use has steadily increased. BLM Wyoming is considering updating or revising the management plan to address overall management of all the historic trails in Wyoming.
Wyoming’s prominence in both the history and current management of these trails made it the logical choice as the home of an interpretive center dedicated to this important chapter of American history.
