Sweetwater Station Road

Sweetwater Station Road follows the original Oregon Trail corridor across the high desert where emigrants carved their names into Independence Rock — the “Register of the Desert” — and refilled water barrels at natural springs. The route connects a chain of abandoned Pony Express stations along the Sweetwater River, including ruins at Split Rock Station where riders changed horses in under two minutes. Antelope still water at the same springs that kept wagon trains alive in 1849.

Easy driving in dry weather, but this becomes a mud nightmare after storms — the bentonite clay turns slick as grease. Stock vehicles handle it fine from May through October. No permits needed, and you can camp anywhere on BLM land, though bring water since the historic springs aren’t reliable. Fill up in Jeffrey City or Muddy Gap before heading out. It’s living history where you can still see wagon ruts and feel what those emigrants experienced crossing this endless sagebrush country.