Pony Express National Historic Trail

Originally established in 1859 as the Leavenworth and Pike's Peak Express Company of 1859, in 1860 the company became the Central Overland California and Pikes Peak Express Company, founded by William H. Russell, Alexander Majors, and William B. Waddell. As quickly as a young rider blazed a trail across half the continent, the technology replaced the ways of a horseback rider. The telegraph was able to do the same thing, faster and cheaper.
Travel along the Pony Express National Historic Trail is largely done for the historical understanding of the past; however, there are many reasons why you should visit the trail. First, of course, is the learning of the Pony Express. Second are the parallel stories of the Oregon Trail, California Trail, and Mormon Trail. Finally, your travels will take you along some of the most breathtaking scenery in the United States. This itinerary focuses on the Pony Express, but will take tangents when they so necessitate.

First and foremost, get maps. The modern Interstate system does not take you along the trails; Interstates are designed for speed and efficiency, but the Pony Express trail was designed for a different type of efficiency. That efficiency was based around — not recreating — the wheel.
As previously mentioned, three trails go in the same general direction as the Pony Express, and the Pony Express took advantage of established routes to keep expenses low.
While traveling off of the interstate, keep your bearings about you. The worst thing that can happen along the majority of the trail is being turned around and having to back-track to get back the right way.

This itinerary discusses a route of travel from Missouri to California. The most logical route begins in Missouri and travels to the west.

Monuments, markers, museums, and historic buildings can be found along the trail.

Missouri

• National Frontier Trails Museum

  phone: +1 816 325-7575
  address: 318 West Pacific, Independence, MO 64050
  While this is not directly on the trail, if you are starting your trip, around the Kansas City area, this is a great site to visit to get perspective on the historical landscape.

Missouri is known for a couple of American Presidents. While here in Independence, you can see the home of President Harry S. Truman.

Saint Joseph

• Pony Express Museum

  phone: +1 816-279-5059
  address: 914 Penn St, St Joseph, MO 64503
  The Pony Express Museum is a transport museum in Saint Joseph, Missouri, documenting the history of the Pony Express, the first fast mail line across the North American continent from the Missouri River to the Pacific coast.

• Patee House

Kansas

• Hollenberg Station State Historic Site

  phone: +1 785-337-2635

Iowa

Nebraska

• Rock Creek Station

  address: Fairbury, NE

• California Hill

  address: Brule, NE

• Ash Hollow State Park

  address: Lewellen, NE

• Scotts Bluff National Monument/Mitchell Pass

  address: Gering, NE

• Chimney Rock National Historic Site

  address: Bridgeport, NE

Colorado

Wyoming

• Fort Laramie NHS/Bedlam Ruts

  address: Fort Laramie, WY

• Register Cliff & Sand Point Station

  address: Guernsey, WY

• Avenue of Rocks

  address: on Poison Spider Road west of Casper, WY

• Independence Rock

  address: on the Sweetwater River in WY

• Devils Gate

  address: on the Sweetwater River in WY
  (Short Hike)

• South Pass

  address: South Pass near South Pass, WY
  (Short Hike)

• Little Emigration CanyonLittle Emigration Canyon: Mormon Flat to Big Mountain, 4.5 miles 4x4 and Horse Access (extensive trail segments)

• Oregon Trail RoadOregon Trail Road: Mills, WY to WYO-220 just north of Independence Rock, 41.5 miles (Long Hike (access to extensive trail segments))

• South Pass SegmentSouth Pass Segment: Independence Rock to Parting of the Ways, 125 miles (Long Hike (access to extensive trail segments)); Parting of the Ways: end of the South Pass segment

• Fort Bridger to Muddy CreekFort Bridger to Muddy Creek: approximately 14 miles (Long Hike (access to extensive trail segments))

• National Historic Trails Interpretive Center

  address: Casper, WY

Utah

• BLM Backcountry Bywayfrom Fairfield, UT to Ibapah, UT: 133 miles (Long Hike (access to extensive trail segments))

• Camp Floyd State Park Museum

Nevada

• Fort Churchill State Historic Park

  address: Silver Springs, Nevada
  The fort protected early settlers and Pony Express mail runs, and is now maintained in a state of arrested decay.

California

• B. F. Hastings Building

  address: 1006 2nd St, Sacramento
  Was the western endpoint of the Pony Express. The building is a National Historic Landmark and now contains the city's visitor center and a Wells Fargo Museum.

• Visitor Center

  phone: +1 916-808-7644
  address: 1002 2nd St
  Great starting point for excursions throughout the Sacramento region.

• Wells Fargo History Museum

  phone: +1 916-440-4263
  address: 1000 2nd St
  Explore the technology of the late 1800s that shrank the world and propelled Wells Fargo into the legendary company it is today.