Red Desert Crossing Historic Route
Oregon Trail's toughest crossing lives on
The Red Desert Crossing cuts through 100 miles of Wyoming’s largest unfenced landscape, following wagon ruts worn by Oregon Trail emigrants who called this stretch ‘the worst road in America.’ This route parallels the historic Parting of the Ways, where westbound families chose between the safer Sublette Cutoff or the shorter but more dangerous Hastings route. Modern overlanders navigate two-track roads across sagebrush flats where pronghorn antelope migrate in herds thousands strong, and wild horses still roam free.
Easy to moderate difficulty suitable for any high-clearance vehicle, though sandy washes and sudden weather can trap the unprepared. Summer heat makes this a spring and fall destination, when wildflowers bloom and hunting season brings the only human traffic. Fuel up in Rawlins and carry extra water – the nearest services are 60 miles apart. What you’re experiencing is the American West at its most elemental: endless sky, wildlife corridors unchanged since the Pleistocene, and the sobering reality of what emigrants faced crossing this unforgiving landscape.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Features | Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 98 mi / 157.7 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 7200 ft |
| Best season | April-June, September-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD |
| Nearest town | Rawlins, Wyoming |
| Land manager | Bureau of Land Management |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock truck or SUV with 2WD handle this route?
Yes — minimum requirement is high-clearance 2WD. A stock F-150, 4Runner, or similar rig with decent clearance will manage fine in dry conditions. Wet desert clay is a different story; it turns greasy fast and will strand 2WD vehicles.
When should I avoid driving this route?
Spring snowmelt and summer thunderstorms turn the dirt surface into axle-sucking mud. Stick to April–June or September–October for the best conditions. Midsummer heat in the Red Desert is also brutal — temps push 100°F and there's zero shade.
Do I need any permits or fees to drive this route?
No permit or fee required — it crosses BLM land, which is open to vehicle travel. Follow Leave No Trace and stay on existing two-tracks; the Oregon Trail ruts are protected cultural resources and driving over them is illegal under federal law.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
There's no single technical obstacle — difficulty here is attrition, not rocks. The hardest part is 50+ miles of isolation with no services, no cell signal, and soft sandy sections that can bog you down if you're carrying heavy gear and running street tires. Airing down to 20–25 PSI handles the soft spots well.
How far do I need to plan for gas, and is there water on route?
Top off in Rawlins before you leave — there are no gas stations along the 98-mile route, and the nearest fuel on the east end is also a significant drive. There is no reliable water source on trail; carry a minimum of 5 gallons per person for a 2–3 day crossing.
Trail track
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