Pony Express Trail — Simpson Springs to Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge
Riding the original 1860 mail route into nowhere.
The Pony Express Trail cuts west from Simpson Springs across the Great Basin’s emptiest stretch — eighty miles of hardpan, salt crust, and alkali flats before you hit the marshes at Fish Springs. Simpson Springs itself still has a functioning BLM water source and the reconstructed stone station house, and from there the trail traces the original 1860 route past Dugway, Black Rock, and Boyd stations before dropping into Fish Springs NWR where thousands of migratory birds mob the shallow impoundments. The Dugway Proving Ground boundary forces a hard southern jog, so know your route cold before you leave pavement.
Most of this is packed dirt and gravel that a high-clearance 2WD can handle in dry conditions, but rain turns the clay sections into axle-deep soup. Call it moderate when dry, difficult when wet. No cell service whatsoever. Fuel up in either Tooele or Delta — there’s nothing out here. The BLM Simpson Springs campground is the logical base. Best run is May through June and September through October — summer heat on the salt flats is genuinely dangerous. Bring more water than you think you need.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 82 mi / 132 km |
| Duration | 2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5500 ft |
| Best season | May-June, September-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD (4WD when wet) |
| Nearest town | Tooele, Utah |
| Land manager | BLM Salt Lake Field Office |
| 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
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this trail, or do I need a lifted rig?
A stock high-clearance truck handles this fine in dry conditions. The surface is dirt and gravel with no technical obstacles — your biggest concern is airing down for washboard sections, not rocker clearance.
When should I avoid this trail?
Avoid it after rain or snow — the alkaline desert soil turns to axle-deep mud that will swallow a 4x4. Spring (May–June) and fall (September–October) are the windows; summer temps regularly hit 100°F+ with zero shade across the salt flats.
Do I need a permit to drive or camp on this route?
No permit required. It's BLM land managed out of the Salt Lake Field Office, so dispersed camping is allowed — just follow Leave No Trace and stay on existing tracks. No fees.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
There's no single 'hardest obstacle' — the difficulty is cumulative: 82 miles of remote dirt with brutal washboard, zero cell service, and no services between Simpson Springs and Fish Springs. If something breaks, you're solving it yourself or waiting for another vehicle, which may not come for hours.
How much water and fuel do I need to carry for the full route?
Bring all your fuel — there are no gas stops between Tooele and the far end of this run, so plan for 100+ miles of buffer on top of the 82-mile trail. Water is critical: Simpson Springs station has a hand-pump well, but don't count on it as your only source — carry a minimum of 5 gallons per person for the full two-day push.
Trail track
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