The Pony Express Trail Was Legendary, And It Ran Right Through Utah
By Catherine Armstrong|Published February 25, 2021
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
Utah was once the Wild West, full of vast stretches of land, indigenous people, wild horses, and an occasional hardy trapper or fur trader. In the mid-1800s, Westward Expansion was in full swing, and the Pony Express carried the mail from Missouri to California. This legendary trail cut right through Utah, and you can travel along some of the trail to see historic sites today.
The Pony Express Trail covered 1900 miles from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California. Along the way, it cut right through the heart of Utah, and you can travel on the Pony Express Historic Trail to see some of its historic sites.
Riders earned as much as $125 per month, a large sum of money back then, but there were many dangers on the trail. They rode day and night, as fast as possible, traveling about seven miles per hour, and changed out horses every 10 miles.
The Pony Express only operated from April 3, 1860, to October 26, 1861, but you can still travel along a small portion of its trail today. Start your journey through history at the Camp Floyd State Park Museum in Fairfield.
You'll learn all about the fort and its operations in the mid-1800s, and you can tour the schoolhouse, cemetery, and museum. The fort served as a Pony Express Station, too.
From Camp Floyd, you'll hop on the Pony Express National Historic Trail, and travel for 115 miles across the desert. The building at Simpson Springs is a replica of the original Pony Express station. Its monument was erected in 1965.
...and another marker at the Rush Valley Station site. You'll find interpretive signs at many of these sites, so you can learn more about the Pony Express and its riders.
While you're immersed in history out in this wide, open space, you'll want to keep your eyes open for the herds of wild horses that live in the area. They're often spotted near Simpson Springs.
Make sure to check out Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge, located along the trail. Its 10,000 acres are home to many migratory birds, so bring your binoculars. Fish Springs also served as a popular Pony Express stop, where horses and riders appreciated the fresh water.
Fill your tank with gas, bring plenty of water and some snacks, and make sure your spare tire is properly inflated. This area is very remote, which is exactly what makes it so alluring.
Have you traveled along the Utah portion of the Pony Express Trail? Tell us about your journey!
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