Oregon Trail Parting of the Ways
Where families chose their destiny on the frontier
At this windswept junction in the Red Desert, 19th-century wagon trains faced their most crucial decision — take the Sublette Cutoff’s brutal 50-mile waterless stretch to California, or follow the longer but safer Oregon Trail through South Pass. Deep wagon ruts still scar the alkaline earth where families said goodbye forever, not knowing which route would claim fewer lives. The BLM interpretive trail follows original ruts past emigrant graves and abandoned wagon parts scattered across this high desert moonscape at 6,800 feet elevation.
Easy driving on well-maintained gravel suitable for any vehicle, though high winds can sandblast paint. Best visited May through September when weather cooperates. The nearest fuel and water are 30 miles in Farson, so come prepared. This isn’t technical driving — it’s a history lesson carved in stone and sage. Walk the wagon ruts at sunset when the light reveals every wheel track, and feel the weight of 300,000 emigrants who passed this way seeking their American dream.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Gravel |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 12 mi / 19.3 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 6850 ft |
| Best season | May-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Any vehicle |
| Nearest town | Farson, Wyoming |
| Land manager | Bureau of Land Management |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | blm.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a truck or 4x4 to drive this trail?
No. Any vehicle — sedan, minivan, whatever you drove here — can handle this gravel road. It's rated easy for a reason, with minimal ruts and no technical obstacles.
When is the trail accessible, and can I drive it in early spring?
Best window is May through September. Early spring can bring muddy, soft gravel after snowmelt, but by mid-May it's generally solid. Avoid it after heavy rain if you're in a low-clearance vehicle.
Are there any permits or fees required to access this trail?
No permit, no fee. It's BLM land with open public access. Just don't tear up the historic wagon ruts — they're the real deal and irreplaceable.
What's the hardest part of this trail and what should I actually expect?
There is no hard section. This is a 12-mile scenic gravel drive with 200 feet of total elevation gain. The only challenge is staying present instead of just blasting through it — slow down and look for the actual ruts cut into the earth by wagon wheels.
Is there any water or gas nearby, and what's the cell service situation out there?
Cell service is zero out here, so download offline maps before you leave. Farson is your last stop for gas — it's small but has a station. No water sources on the trail itself, so carry what you need.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
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