National Historic Trail

Pony Express National Historic Trail

Pony Express National Historic Trail is a National Historic Trail in California, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming. The NPS currently lists 0 active alerts, 0 campgrounds and 0 visitor centers, and no entrance fee.

California Colorado Kansas Missouri Nebraska Nevada Utah Wyoming National Historic Trail No entrance fee

Updated Oct 28, 2026, 3:52 AM EDT · NPS Data API

A rider in a red vest on a horse in a grassy patch surrounded by sagebrush with clouds in the sky. — Simpson Spring NPEA rider, Utah · Photo: NPS photo (via nps.gov)

About the park

“It is hard to believe that young men once rode horses to carry mail from Missouri to California in the unprecedented time of only 10 days. This relay system along the Pony Express National Historic Trail in eight states was the most direct and practical means of east-west communications before the telegraph.”

— National Park Service, nps.gov/poex

Active alerts

Closures

Campgrounds

Visitor centers

Current alerts and closures

The NPS listed no active alerts for this park in the Oct 28, 2026 snapshot. Conditions can change; check current conditions on nps.gov before you go.

Entrance fees and passes

This site has no entrance fee, according to NPS fee data.

Things to do

A junior ranger badge on the picture of a historic wooden building. — Photo: NPS Photo

Become a Pony Express Trail Junior Ranger

Learn about the Pony Express Trail and earn your junior ranger badge! This activity can be completed virtually or after visiting a site along the Pony Express National Historic Trail. Booklets can be submitted either electronically or by mail.

Pets allowed

Junior Ranger Program

A wooden trail sign in the forest. — Photo: NPS Photo

Walk on the Pony Express Trail

There are a variety of walking and hiking opportunities along the Pony Express Trail. In some places, you may find a modern-day hiking trail. In other places, the historic trail has been replaced by an dirt or asphalt road.

Pets allowed

Hiking

Check out Museums and Visitor Centers along the Pony Express Trail

There are a number of museums and visitor centers along the Pony Express Trail. In some places, you may find more interpretive exhibits, information, and programs.

Fee applies

Museum Exhibits

See all 4 things to do in Pony Express →

Activities the NPS lists for Pony Express.

Auto and ATVScenic DrivingGuided ToursSelf-Guided Tours - AutoHikingHorse TrekkingHorseback RidingLiving HistoryReenactmentsJunior Ranger ProgramMuseum Exhibits

Operating hours

The Pony Express National Historic Trail is not a clearly marked hiking trail. Instead it is a route that passes through communities, urban areas, public lands, and Wilderness.

Pony Express National Historic Trail
Day	Hours
Monday	All Day
Tuesday	All Day
Wednesday	All Day
Thursday	All Day
Friday	All Day
Saturday	All Day
Sunday	All Day

Weather: Due to the length of the Pony Express National Historic Trail, be sure to consult local weather sources for the region you'll be visiting.

Contact and directions

Phone: N/A
Email: [email protected]
Address: National Trails Regions Office, Regions 6, 7, & 8, Santa Fe, NM 87505
Coordinates: 42.2366, -109.2661· View on OpenStreetMap

Official park page on nps.gov Directions

Visitor centers

No visitor centers are listed for this site in the NPS data.

Campgrounds

No NPS campgrounds are listed for this site. Nearby national forests or state parks may offer camping.

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More parks in California

Alcatraz Island Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail Cabrillo National Monument California National Historic Trail Castle Mountains National Monument César E. Chávez National Monument Channel Islands National Park Death Valley National Park Devils Postpile National Monument Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site Fort Point National Historic Site Golden Gate National Recreation Area All in California

Nearest other NPS sites

Oregon National Historic Trail ID, KS, MO, NE, OR, WA, WY
California National Historic Trail CA, CO, ID, KS, MO, NE, NV, OR, UT, WY
Fossil Butte National Monument WY
Dinosaur National Monument CO, UT
Grand Teton National Park WY
Golden Spike National Historical Park UT

Sources

Park details, alerts, fees and passes, visitor centers and campgrounds: National Park Service Data API, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
Official park page: https://www.nps.gov/poex/index.htm
Data: National Park Service (NPS) Data API, U.S. Department of the Interior (developer.nps.gov). This product uses the NPS Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the National Park Service. The National Park Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior do not endorse OpenParks. Photos are NPS images shown with their original credits; park descriptions are short excerpts credited to the NPS. Always confirm current conditions on nps.gov before you travel.