Though it only operated for 18 months, the Pony Express left an indelible mark on the American Western history. The image of a lone rider galloping across the frontier to deliver the mail is iconic, still depicted in movies, advertisements, and more.
From 1860-61, the private mail service linked St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California with 40 riders in each direction, 190 stations, and hundreds of station keepers to deliver the mail from start to finish in 10 days. The route ran across central Nevada roughly along what is now Highway 50. If you drive across, you can spot markers and the ruins of several old stations.
Today, the Pony Express is a National Historic Trail and in Nevada, nearly all of it is on public land. There are several accessible spots where equestrians can pick up the trail and step back in time. In many places, the trail hasn’t changed, so you can literally ride in their hoof prints and see the same country the Pony Express riders would have seen. Break into a gallop and pretend you are delivering the mail!
The Pony Express route is generally shown on atlases. Here are some recommended places with relatively easy access to the trail with a horse:
- Fort Churchill – You can’t ride in the ruins at the State Park, but you can ride the roads around it. All of Fort Churchill Road from Silver Springs to Dayton is the Pony Express Trail (and American Discovery Trail) but the road is gravel and there is no river access.
- Scout Camp – Just outside the Silver Springs equestrian camp, the main dirt road that runs the length of the flats is the Pony Express Trail.
- White Throne Mountains – On the south end of Fallon, across from the Top Gun Raceway, you can ride a nice section of trail east around the rocky White Throne Mountains to sandy Simpson Pass. You will also see the ruins of the Wildcat Freight Station (not a Pony Express Station but still cool).
- Sand Mountain – Just outside the popular sand dune recreation area, you can find the ruins of an old station. From here the trail continues through the Forty Mile Desert.
- Middlegate Station – Lots of nice trails through the valley to explore south of Highway 50, then have a bite to eat at one of Nevada’s most famous roadside restaurants.
- Cold Springs – Situated on Highway 50 you’ll find a Cold Springs Station, a restaurant/RV park/store, just next to the ruins of an old station. Plenty of desert riding from here. Trail maps here: https://www.nvtrailfinder.com/trails/trail/cold-springs-station
- Diamond Valley – There’s a historical marker and ruins on the west side of the Diamond Mountains, just north of Eureka. You can ride the trail over the range through scenic Telegraph Canyon.
- Cherry Creek – This ghost town (pop. <70) off Highway 93, sits just north of the historic trail, which runs west through Egan Canyon and the Cherry Creek Range and east across Steptoe Valley.
- Schellborne – A large rest stop on Highway 93 north of Ely, where you’ll find a historical marker and can pick up the trail east over the scenic Schell Creek Range.
Of course, there are many more backcountry sections of the trail you can explore with a little research in advance!
More Info
The National Pony Express Association hosts an annual re-ride of the entire Pony Express Trail every June. Riders carry real mail and take turns riding sections, 24 hours a day to finish in 10 days. Nevada’s contingent is very dedicated to the trail and is always looking for volunteers to ride a leg from 1 to 20 miles. This is a great way to get out onto this historic trail and make some new friends!
