Take A Step Back In Time With This Covered Wagon Ride In Wyoming
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Caryl
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There’s no better place to travel in the footsteps of the pioneers than in Wyoming. Wyoming served as a critical gateway to the west for the pioneers traveling on horseback and in covered wagons along the Oregon and California Trails. Relive history and take a step back in time with this covered wagon ride in Wyoming.
Riding the trails proves to be an educational and cultural experience like no other. The meeting place for this historic ride is located at either Fort Casper or the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center at 1501 N. Poplar Street In Casper.
This is a unique experience that provides the opportunity of riding along parts of the actual Oregon, California and Pony Express Trails. These wagons were built by the Carter family and traveled the entire Oregon Trail in 1993 and the entire California Trail in 1999.
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The Oregon Trail is 2,600 miles and runs from Independence, Missouri to Astoria, Oregon. The California Trail is 2,500 miles and goes from St. Charles, Missouri to Sacramento, California.
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The partial trail rides include a 2-hour, 4-hour or overnight ride. On the 2 and 4-hour trails, you will hear about the history of the area, explorers, mountain men, Native Americans and pioneers. The 4-hour and overnight both include a dutch oven cookout and with the overnight you actually get to sleep in a teepee.
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The covered wagons that were used to carry settlers westward were known as Prairie Schooners. The name originated from the appearance of the white cloth cover. From a distance, it looks like a ship's sail.
The Prairie Schooner is lightweight and designed to travel great distances along rough prairie trails. The wagons have a canvas cover held up by wooden arches that provide protection from the sun and rain.
The wagons fell out of use when the railroads stretched across America. However, the covered wagon remains the iconic symbol of westward expansion.
Have you ever wondered what it was really like to travel along these trails in covered wagons or on horseback? Well, now you can find out firsthand.
For another historical experience, check out: Visiting This One Incredible Place In Wyoming Is Like Experiencing A Dream.
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