Oregon trail Wyoming

Guernsey WY

In Wyoming, you will find lots of places you can boondock, however, you will probably want to drop the trailer if you are wanting to explore along some of the remote sections which can only be seen from dirt roads. I think it would be a hoot to follow the route as close as possible.

If you do travel any of the dirt roads and get caught by a sudden rain storm, I suggest you immediately stop and then wait for about 1 hour after the rain stops before trying to go.

We were just west of Casper exploring a section of the Oregon trail when we had a rainstorm hit. The road immediately went slick. I had to get out and engage the front hubs and almost fell down a couple of times. We did manage to drive the 1/2 mile out but came close to sliding off the road a few times and wouldn't have made it if the we had to climb a hill. My father made a comment that he would rather be driving on ice as it had more traction.

Just a warning to be careful and always have water and food with you just in case.

A friend took a RV Caravan a few years ago that did the Oregon Trail from the Mississippi River to the Pacific. I don't remember how many days for the 2000+ mile trip but it seemed to cover many spots along the Oregon Trail. We have visited a few sites in Oregon along the Columbia River and it is impressive. You might check out caravan advertising and see what their routing is--just a thought.

Cup fan wrote:

CloudDriver wrote:
Old-Biscuit missed a couple.

Two miles from Register Cliff are the best preserved wagon ruts. Walk along the deep ruts to see additional sections of ruts.

Fort Laramie

Route 28 south of Lander follows near the route of the Oregon Trail over the continental divide at South Pass. There are several trail markers along this route.

Not an Oregon Trail site, but worth a visit is South Pass City, a partially restored gold mining town about two miles down a good gravel road from route 28.

I guess what I'm really wondering is, are most of these sites such as the ones that Old-Biscuit mentioned, accessible by vehicle, and are they worth the stopping to see. I'm trying to determine if it would be worth spending a few days of our vacation following this route. We would only be doing the western Nebraska and Wyoming portions. Part 2 of my question is what about camping? Are there campgrounds along the way? BLM or National Forest areas, or private campgrounds? Some of these areas, especially in Wyoming, look like they could be pretty remote. Am I going to have problems finding places to camp along the way? I may post that question in another section, but if anyone here has some suggestions, I'd appreciate it.

There is a rest stop at Independence Rock if you are comfortable with that type of camping. Memory is hazy, but I think there are only bathroom facilities there. As a FYI, route 220 from Casper and then route 278 to Lander crosses essentially unpopulated area for many miles. A few large ranches but no towns. It's a nice drive, but don't break down.

Guernsey State Park with lots of campsites is a couple of miles from the wagon ruts and Register Cliff. We had a water/electric site. I would suggest this as a campsite for Fort Laramie as well. Pony Soldier campground is a few miles east of Fort Laramie and there is another campground right at the turn off for the fort, but both are very close to the Union Pacific main line and the trains are frequent.

Sleeping Bear campground in Lander is good for route 28 over the South pass.

Can't advise on the other locations suggested by Old-Biscuit, as we haven't visited them.

CloudDriver wrote:
Old-Biscuit missed a couple.

Two miles from Register Cliff are the best preserved wagon ruts. Walk along the deep ruts to see additional sections of ruts.

Fort Laramie

Route 28 south of Lander follows near the route of the Oregon Trail over the continental divide at South Pass. There are several trail markers along this route.

Not an Oregon Trail site, but worth a visit is South Pass City, a partially restored gold mining town about two miles down a good gravel road from route 28.

I guess what I'm really wondering is, are most of these sites such as the ones that Old-Biscuit mentioned, accessible by vehicle, and are they worth the stopping to see. I'm trying to determine if it would be worth spending a few days of our vacation following this route. We would only be doing the western Nebraska and Wyoming portions. Part 2 of my question is what about camping? Are there campgrounds along the way? BLM or National Forest areas, or private campgrounds? Some of these areas, especially in Wyoming, look like they could be pretty remote. Am I going to have problems finding places to camp along the way? I may post that question in another section, but if anyone here has some suggestions, I'd appreciate it.

scotts bluff Nebraska (just accross the wyoming border) has an excellent national monument dedicated to the mormon and oregon trails.it is well worth the time.

In addition to Ft. Caspar, add BLM Historic Trails Museum in Casper, WY. for info on Oregon, Mormon, Pony Express, Bozeman Trails. Southwest of Casper on Hwy 220, there is Independence Rock, Mormon Handcart Museum. On I-80, you can find another BLM Trail museum near Winnemucca, NV has a great depiction of the Donner Party disaster. Lots to see take your time.

Old-Biscuit missed a couple.

Two miles from Register Cliff are the best preserved wagon ruts. Walk along the deep ruts to see additional sections of ruts.

Fort Laramie

Route 28 south of Lander follows near the route of the Oregon Trail over the continental divide at South Pass. There are several trail markers along this route.

Not an Oregon Trail site, but worth a visit is South Pass City, a partially restored gold mining town about two miles down a good gravel road from route 28.

We did as much of the Oregon Trail as we could get to about 20 years ago starting in Omaha and ending up at Astoria. My wife was a grade school teacher and wanted material. In those days most of the markers and interesting graves were on private property or way off the major roads. We had a TT at the time and it was difficult to get to some stuff. We have been through there several times since and were amazed at how much on private land is now open to visitors and new information added. There is a book "The Oregon Trail" by Rinker Buck published in 2015 you might want to read if you decide to make the trip. You may want to start in NE and visit the Exhibit that is built over the freeway dedicated to the Oregon Trail. Worth the effort.

Try to stay ahead of the herd; cleanliness don't you know!
Think of how long it would take at 25 miles per day.