Confluence National Recreation Trail

A late summer evening within the gallery forest of the Confluence Trail.

NPS Photo

 

Newly designated as a National Recreation Trail

NPS Image

Explore History and Nature on the Confluence Trail

The Confluence Trail follows a 1.6 mile lasso loop from the south parking lot of the Old Army Bridge to the confluence of the Laramie and North Platte Rivers and back. Waysides explore the changing crossings of the North Platte - from fords and ferries to the still-standing wrought iron bridge of 1875-6. The trail also takes visitors through a mature gallery forest of cottonwood and willow along the banks of both rivers.

While they meander across a sandy bottom like many waterways on the Great Plains, both rivers are still relatively fast-flowing and can have deep holes. Exercise caution near the water.

National Recreation Trail

In celebration of National Trails Day on June 5, 2021, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced 10 new national recreation trails in eight states, adding more than 160 miles to the National Trails System. With this announcement, the Confluence Trail joins other newly designated trails in a network of more than 1,300 existing national recreation trails, which can be found in every U.S. state.

Kids in Parks: TRACK Trail

The Confluence Trail has been designated the Fort Laramie TRACK Trail by the Kids in Parks network in partnership with the Fort Laramie Historical Association, Goshen County Recreation Board, and the Goshen County Community Pride Foundation. Visit the Fort Laramie TRACK Trail page to learn more about how kids can have an adventure in nature along the trail.

Directions

From Interstate 25/US Highway 26 (eastbound): Take US Highway 26 at Exit 92 and continue east to the town of Fort Laramie. Turn southwest (right) on Wyoming State Route 160. Cross the North Platte River on the modern bridge and immediately turn left onto County Road 15. The parking area is on the left near the southern end of the Old Army Bridge.

From US Highway 26 (westbound): Proceed west from the town of Lingle or city of Torrington to the town of Fort Laramie. Turn southwest (left) on Wyoming State Route 160. Cross the North Platte River on the modern bridge and immediately turn left onto County Road 15. The parking area is on the left near the southern end of the Old Army Bridge.