Lonesome Highway — Muddy Gap to Split Rock via the Sweetwater River Emigrant Road
Oregon Trail ruts, Devil's Gate, Split Rock. The real thing.
Between Muddy Gap and Split Rock, Wyoming, the Oregon Trail left marks on the land that 175 years of wind have barely touched. The BLM roads through this stretch of the Sweetwater River Valley trace the original wagon route past Ice Slough — where emigrants dug through turf in midsummer to harvest ice from a subsurface deposit — to the towering granite notch of Devil’s Gate and onward to Split Rock, the distinctive cleft summit that served as a natural compass for weeks of travel. You can still see parallel wagon ruts pressed into the sage at multiple points. The route is documented, historically significant, and almost entirely overlooked by modern travelers.
This is high desert travel — easy to moderate on dry graded BLM two-track, but the Sweetwater valley floor can flood and soften after heavy rain, making high clearance prudent even when it looks benign. A solid stock 4WD or even a capable 2WD high-clearance rig handles it in dry summer conditions. No permits. Nearest services are at Muddy Gap Junction on Highway 287. Carry all water; the Sweetwater is not treated. Dispersed camping is permitted on BLM land throughout. Best months are May through October. What you get is a genuine communion with the largest overland migration in American history — driven not by recreation, but by desperation. That hits different out here.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 38 mi / 61.2 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 6200 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance recommended |
| Nearest town | Muddy Gap, Wyoming |
| Land manager | BLM Lander Field Office |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | blm.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this without any lift?
Yes. The trail is graded dirt and gravel with only 400 feet of elevation gain — a stock high-clearance truck handles it fine in dry conditions. Low-range isn't required, but high clearance matters if the road gets rutted after rain.
What's the road like after heavy rain or in early spring?
Wyoming alkali flats turn greasy and impassable when wet — this is not a trail to push after a storm. Best season is May through October, but always check recent conditions with the BLM Lander Field Office before you go if there's been recent precipitation.
Do I need a permit to drive this route or camp along it?
No permit required — it's BLM land managed by the Lander Field Office. Dispersed camping is allowed under standard BLM rules: 14-day stay limit, 200 feet from water sources and historic sites, pack out everything.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
There's no genuinely hard section — this is an easy route. The biggest challenge is deep ruts left by rain on the alkali/clay stretches and the occasional soft shoulder. The Oregon Trail ruts themselves are protected, so stay on the designated track and don't cut new lines.
How far is the nearest gas from the trailhead, and is there any cell service on route?
Fuel up before you leave — Muddy Gap has a small gas stop, but services are extremely limited and hours are unreliable; Rawlins (~30 miles west) is the safer bet. Expect zero cell service for the entire 38-mile route.
Trail track
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