In most states, you can read about history, visit markers, stop in to see artifacts on display in museums, and let your imagination fill in the blanks. Here in Wyoming, though, some spots exist that still show a portal to the past – unchanged for more than a century! That’s what’s so neat about this one spot in Wyoming where you’ll find Oregon Trail ruts carved into the landscape by wagon trains. You can actually see, feel, and experience what it was like to travel along this famous trail! History definitely left a tangible mark at this one fascinating spot in Wyoming.
You’ll find these wagon wheel ruts in Guernsey, near the town’s reservoir and state park.
Wikipedia/Paul Hermans The Oregon Trail Ruts is a preserved section of one of the most significant trails in history. This section is located along the south side of the North Platte River.
Travelers made their way through this region and up toward South Pass.
TripAdvisor/bwoodTN This particular route was chosen to avoid the marshy ground along the North Platte River and to find an easier, flatter pathway through the West.
This route was first established in 1812m when Robert Stuart and six others passed through here returning to the east from the Columbia River.
TripAdvisor/rsalem713 In the decades that followed, many trappers, traders and missionaries took this route as well. Emigrants making their way out west followed these established routes in large wagon train parties.
The Bartleson-Bidwell party was the first wagon train of settlers to use the trail.
Flickr/Erin Kinney Their party was known to have traveled through here in 1841, setting a precedent that would change history.
The trail’s traffic peaked in the early 1840s, and the constant traffic wore down the rocks into the ruts you see today.
Flickr/Phil Konstantin In 1842, 125 people used the trail and in 1843, 900 people traveled along the trail.
The Oregon, Mormon, California and Pony Express Trails all followed the same route from Fort Laramie to South Pass.
TripAdvisor/Jackie A. Farther along the trail, the Parting of the Ways separated wagon trains, and some headed south toward Salt Lake City or California, while others navigated the Sawtooths with the Willamette Valley as their goal.
Anyone who has studied westward expansion can tell you tales from the Oregon Trail.
TripAdvisor/Alleta B. Here in Wyoming, we can see evidence of the journey in several spots. Independence Rock is another spot where you can see history as if you’ve traveled through time.
Years and years of wagon travel carved these ruts into the ground, and visitors are fascinated by the size of these primitive tracks.
Flickr/Brett Whaley
The use of this overland trail leading to the West Coast rapidly declined after the completion of the Union Pacific Railroad in 1869.
TripAdvisor/DB67154 Sections of the trail were used locally for years, but transcontinental travel was forever changed.
The trail ruts are a 1/2 mile long and are worn 2 to 6 feet deep into the sandstone ridge.
TripAdvisor/Alleta B. This half mile stretch near Guernsey is the best preserved ruts of anywhere on the trail.
Emigrants had 3 options of camp sites in the Guernsey area when traveling along the trail.
TripAdvisor/Alleta B. These included Register Cliff, Warm Springs or Cold Springs. You can still explore these areas today.
This State Historic Site is located within Guernsey State Park.
TripAdvisor/938fjg This site was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1966, forever preserving its place in the history books.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM It’s a very moving experience to see physical evidence of the route taken by hundreds of thousands of emigrants heading West.
There’s nothing like physically seeing and actually touching a site that has been walked on and touched by ancestors from 200 years ago. These individuals played such an important role in shaping the history of our country.
Wikipedia/Paul Hermans
The Oregon Trail Ruts is a preserved section of one of the most significant trails in history. This section is located along the south side of the North Platte River.
TripAdvisor/bwoodTN
This particular route was chosen to avoid the marshy ground along the North Platte River and to find an easier, flatter pathway through the West.
TripAdvisor/rsalem713
In the decades that followed, many trappers, traders and missionaries took this route as well. Emigrants making their way out west followed these established routes in large wagon train parties.
Flickr/Erin Kinney
Their party was known to have traveled through here in 1841, setting a precedent that would change history.
Flickr/Phil Konstantin
In 1842, 125 people used the trail and in 1843, 900 people traveled along the trail.
TripAdvisor/Jackie A.
Farther along the trail, the Parting of the Ways separated wagon trains, and some headed south toward Salt Lake City or California, while others navigated the Sawtooths with the Willamette Valley as their goal.
TripAdvisor/Alleta B.
Here in Wyoming, we can see evidence of the journey in several spots. Independence Rock is another spot where you can see history as if you’ve traveled through time.
Flickr/Brett Whaley
TripAdvisor/DB67154
Sections of the trail were used locally for years, but transcontinental travel was forever changed.
This half mile stretch near Guernsey is the best preserved ruts of anywhere on the trail.
These included Register Cliff, Warm Springs or Cold Springs. You can still explore these areas today.
TripAdvisor/938fjg
This site was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1966, forever preserving its place in the history books.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
It’s a very moving experience to see physical evidence of the route taken by hundreds of thousands of emigrants heading West.
For other historical landmarks that will leave a profound impact, check out 10 Historical Landmarks You Absolutely Must Visit In Wyoming.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Guernsey Ruts, Guernsey, WY 82214, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Oregon Trail Ruts in Wyoming September 16, 2020 Kim Magaraci What are the best little known attractions in Wyoming? Some of the best hidden gems in Wyoming include the Buffalo Bill Center for the West Museum in Cody, the South Pass Overlook near Hoback Junction, and the Meeteetse Chocolatier! Whether you’re looking for a day of learning, a gorgeous view, or tasty treats, you can find something hidden in just about every corner of the Cowboy State. Are there any dinosaur-related things to do in Wyoming? Of course you’ll find plenty of dino-mite attractions out here! Visit the Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite to walk in the footsteps of dinosaur giants, visit Fossil Butte to discover a one-of-a-kind prehistoric landmark, stop in to the Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis to see enormous skeletons, and you can even go out on an actual dig site in Kemmerer! What are the most unique parks in Wyoming? Guernsey State Park is one of them, that’s for sure! Anywhere that you can walk through historic pathways is sure to leave you in awe. Other amazing parks in Wyoming include Keyhole State Park, Yellowstone National Park, and Grand Teton National Park.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Oregon Trail Ruts in Wyoming
September 16, 2020
Kim Magaraci
What are the best little known attractions in Wyoming? Some of the best hidden gems in Wyoming include the Buffalo Bill Center for the West Museum in Cody, the South Pass Overlook near Hoback Junction, and the Meeteetse Chocolatier! Whether you’re looking for a day of learning, a gorgeous view, or tasty treats, you can find something hidden in just about every corner of the Cowboy State. Are there any dinosaur-related things to do in Wyoming? Of course you’ll find plenty of dino-mite attractions out here! Visit the Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite to walk in the footsteps of dinosaur giants, visit Fossil Butte to discover a one-of-a-kind prehistoric landmark, stop in to the Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis to see enormous skeletons, and you can even go out on an actual dig site in Kemmerer! What are the most unique parks in Wyoming? Guernsey State Park is one of them, that’s for sure! Anywhere that you can walk through historic pathways is sure to leave you in awe. Other amazing parks in Wyoming include Keyhole State Park, Yellowstone National Park, and Grand Teton National Park.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Some of the best hidden gems in Wyoming include the Buffalo Bill Center for the West Museum in Cody, the South Pass Overlook near Hoback Junction, and the Meeteetse Chocolatier! Whether you’re looking for a day of learning, a gorgeous view, or tasty treats, you can find something hidden in just about every corner of the Cowboy State.
Are there any dinosaur-related things to do in Wyoming?
Of course you’ll find plenty of dino-mite attractions out here! Visit the Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite to walk in the footsteps of dinosaur giants, visit Fossil Butte to discover a one-of-a-kind prehistoric landmark, stop in to the Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis to see enormous skeletons, and you can even go out on an actual dig site in Kemmerer!
What are the most unique parks in Wyoming?
Guernsey State Park is one of them, that’s for sure! Anywhere that you can walk through historic pathways is sure to leave you in awe. Other amazing parks in Wyoming include Keyhole State Park, Yellowstone National Park, and Grand Teton National Park.
