Other National Historic Trails

The Pony Express Trail closely followed the route taken by emigrants heading to the Oregon and California territories in the 1840s - 60s.

In the early 1860s, the Pony Express mail service basically followed the Great Platte River Road across Nebraska and the Sweetwater in Wyoming, until it reached the Salt Lake Valley where it continued across the deserts of the Great Basin.

The Mormon Pioneer, Oregon, California, and Pony Express are all designated as national historic trails. Although the Mormons tried hard to avoid contact with other emigrant travelers, at times they all crossed paths - sometimes by chance and sometimes out of necessity.

National Historic Trails

A National Historic Trail is a long-distance route that follows and commemorates a historic path of travel that changed the history and character of the U.S. Today the route offers opportunities to visit surviving sites, trail segments, and defining places of history and learn about the diverse stories they tell. Explore other National Historic Trails: