Last updated: June 27, 2026
Place
Mormon Ferry 1849 Wyoming
Photo/L. Kreutzer
Quick Facts
Location:
North Casper Sports Complex, 1700 E K St., Casper, WY To reach the ferry site at Evansville take westbound I-25 Exit 186 and turn right (north) on to Brian Stock Trail Rd. Turn left (west) onto K St., pass the Boys and Girls Club, and turn right at the sign that reads “Fields 4 and 5 Parking.” Pass the first parking lot, bear right, and pass the football fields. Continue on this road as it winds north through the park toward the river, then curves left and parallels the river. The ferry locale and hike/bike trail bridge are ahead on the right, beyond the buildings. GPS parking 42.864510 -106.305926
Significance:
The 1849 Latter-day Saints (“Mormon”) Ferry operation in the vicinity of today’s North Casper Sports Complex served overland traffic for 4 years. Reshaw’s Bridge, which opened in 1853, put the ferry out of business.
Designation:
Historic site on the California and Oregon National Historic Trails.
Amenities
8 listed
Benches/Seating, Cellular Signal, Parking - Auto, Picnic Shelter/Pavilion, Playground, Restroom, Trailhead, Wheelchair Accessible
The ferry established by emigrating Latter-day Saints in 1847 was relocated 6 miles downstream in 1849, in time to serve California Gold Rush traffic. The new ferry, known as the Mormon Ferry, operated near the present-day North Casper Sports Complex, where wagon traffic bound for Oregon and California crossed to the north side of the North Platte.
That spring, traffic exploded as forty-niners rushed to the California gold fields. Thousands of gold-seekers paid $3 to $5 per wagon to cross during times of high water, when fast, deep currents made the nearby river fords dangerous to drive. Some travelers attempted the fords anyway, and others tried to save money by building their own rafts to carry their wagons across the rushing water. Some drowned, while others gave up and joined the line of hundreds of wagons waiting their turn at the Mormon Ferry.
William G. Johnston, whose party crossed the North Platte on June 4, 1849, estimated the river was 200 feet wide and 10 feet deep. He described the operation in his journal: "The ferry-boat, constructed of logs covered with slabs of wood, was propelled with long poles. It was only of sufficient size to accommodate one wagon at a time, with as many men as it was thought safe to carry in addition. The mules and horses swam across.” His company crossed without incident for a toll of $3 per wagon.
Due to a history of conflict in the East, mutual suspicion often arose between customers and the Latter-day Saints who operated the ferry, but overall, travelers seemed satisfied with the service they received. Johnston remarked in his published journal account, “Contrary to expectation, based upon the common reputation of these Latter-Day Saints, we found those in charge of the ferry [to be] men of respectable appearance, well informed, polite, and in every way agreeable.” The Mormon Ferry closed after the 1852 travel season, as Reshaw’s Bridge—considered a safer option—siphoned off the traffic when it opened in 1853.
Site Information
Location (North Casper Sports Complex, 1700 E K St., Casper, WY To reach the ferry site at Evansville take westbound I-25 Exit 186 and turn right (north) on to Brian Stock Trail Rd. Turn left (west) onto K St., pass the Boys and Girls Club, and turn right at the sign that reads “Fields 4 and 5 Parking.” Pass the first parking lot, bear right, and pass the football fields. Continue on this road as it winds north through the park toward the river, then curves left and parallels the river. The ferry locale and hike/bike trail bridge are ahead on the right, beyond the buildings. GPS parking 42.864510 -106.305926)