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Oregon Trail Ruts State Historic Site

Just about three miles from Guernsey, Wyoming is the significant, Oregon Trail Ruts State Historic Site. Considered to be one of the most well preserved examples of the journey undertaken by overlanders, this site is substantiation of the popular Oregon Trail.

Visitors to this site will have a glimpse of the deep grooves carved in the sandstone paths by the heavy carts and Conestoga’s drawn by oxen or horses. It is estimated that thousands of such vehicles passed on this route collectively transporting more than half-a-million passengers who traversed this tedious path to settle on the West Coast in the 1800’s. The means of transportation are believed to have been loaded with supplies required by the pioneers. This historic site also marked the end of the almost flat North Platte River Valley and marked the beginning of the tedious route on the rocky High Plains.

Examining these ruts that are both deep and well preserved is a thrilling experience and they are indeed a stunning sight. Some of the ruts are as deep as 5 feet while majority are less deep and about 4 feet wide. A self guided tour is available to closely study the landmarks.

Tourists leave this location with mixed feelings of humility and amazement at the enormity of the task undertaken by their countrymen in the past.

• Mailing Address: Oregon Trail Ruts State Historic Site, Guernsey State Park,
  PO Box 429, Guernsey, WY 82214
• Telephone: (307) 864-2176

Top 5 National Parks

1. Great Smoky Mountains
2. Grand Canyon
3. Yosemite
4. Olympic
   
5. Yellowstone

All 58 national parks.