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Pony Express National Historic TrailHistoric South Pass Wyoming used by emigrants and Pony Riders alike.
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Pony Express National Historic Trail
Plan Your Visit

National Historic Trails recognize diverse facets of history such as prominent past routes of exploration, migration, trade, communication and military action. The historic trails generally consist of remnant sites and trail segments, and thus are not necessarily contiguous.

Although many of these trails are administered by federal agencies, land ownership may be in public or private hands. The Links & Resources page has a partial listing of these partner agencies and private land owners as well as contact information for visiting trail resources on these lands. Of the 11 National Historic Trails, nine are administered by the National Park Service, one by the USDA Forest Service and one by the Bureau of Land Management.

The suggested sites to visit page will provide information for enjoying these trails and suggest opportunities to learn about Pony Express stories and experiences.

The overall map of the entire trail can be downloaded from the "Maps" link found under trail Directions. Auto Tour Route highway driving directions and maps approximate the historic route of the Pony Express.

You may also be interested to learn about all of the other the National Trails System Programs.


 

 
National Pony Express Association logo

NPEA

National Pony Express Association 150th Anniversary Logo

150th Anniversary Celebrations

Between April of 1860 and November of 1861, the Central Overland California & Pike's Peak Express Company, otherwise known as the Pony Express, maintained communications between the east coast and the west coast of America by carrying official mail between St. Joseph, Missouri and Sacramento, California.

Today, the The National Pony Express (NPEA) keeps the legends of the pony alive by riding the original trail route each year. The riders turn their ponies east one year and west the next year.

Plans are underway to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first ride of the pony express in 2010. A brochure, listing the the various events & persons to contact for more information is available for download.

More infromation about the National Pony Express Association is available on the Partners web page.

150th Anniversary of the Pony Express brochure (Acrobat PDF Document 2.68mb)

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Fairbanks National Pony Express Monument in Salt Lake City  

Did You Know?
Avard Fairbanks' sculpture is a study in contrasts that symbolizes the interdependency of the generations—the rider depending on the station keeper to be there for him as the younger generation depends on the older one-an interdependence uniting young and old, and man and beast.
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Last Updated: October 13, 2009 at 10:22 EST