Lander Cutoff Road — South Pass to Cokeville via the Oregon Trail Shortcut
The road America built first.
Frederick Lander surveyed this cutoff in 1858 as a faster alternative to Fort Bridger, and the federal government paid to improve it — the first road in American history built with public funds. Today you’ll trace roughly 190 miles of that route from South Pass City, a remarkably intact gold rush ghost town, west across the Big Sandy Basin, through Names Hill (a sandstone bluff covered in actual emigrant signatures from the 1800s), and down into the Star Valley near Cokeville. The Wyoming wind will remind you this is exposed country. The road crosses the Green River near La Barge, where quicksand made life miserable for wagon teams.
Most of this route runs on maintained gravel county roads passable by a capable 2WD in dry conditions, but wet weather turns the clay sections into genuine tire-eating gumbo — don’t underestimate it. High-clearance recommended regardless. Fuel up in Farson and again in Kemmerer; distances are long and services nonexistent between those points. No permits required. Best run May through October, though late spring brings soft road conditions. This is one of those routes where history is piled so thick you can smell it in the sage.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 190 mi / 305.8 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 7550 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance recommended |
| Nearest town | Farson, WY |
| Land manager | BLM Rock Springs Field Office / Wyoming DOT |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| 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 Lander Cutoff Road, or do I need a lift?
A stock high-clearance truck or SUV gets you through fine under normal conditions. Lifted rigs aren't required, but low-clearance vehicles like stock sedans or crossovers will struggle on the rutted dirt sections, especially after rain.
What's the trail like after spring snowmelt — is May actually drivable?
Early May is a gamble. The Wyoming basin clay turns greasy and impassable when wet, and some sections near South Pass hold snow into late May. June is a safer bet; always check conditions with the BLM Rock Springs Field Office before heading out.
Do I need a permit to drive or camp along Lander Cutoff Road?
No permit required for driving or dispersed camping on BLM land along the route. Standard BLM rules apply — 14-day stay limit, camp 200 feet from water sources and established roads, pack out everything.
What's the hardest section of the route and what should I actually expect?
The roughest stretches tend to be the unmaintained two-track segments through the central basin where washboarding and deep ruts accumulate. Nothing technically extreme, but sustained rough road over 2-3 days beats up the vehicle and the driver — slow down and watch your tire pressure.
How far is it between fuel stops, and is there water on the route?
Farson is your last reliable fuel before a long stretch — carry extra fuel for at least 150 miles of buffer. There are seasonal water sources and creek crossings along the route, but treat everything; don't count on any source being clean or flowing, especially by late summer.
Trail track
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