Bozeman Trail

Bozeman Trail

The Bozeman Trail was an overland route connecting the gold rush territory of Montana to the Oregon Trail. Its most important period was from 1863–68. Despite its name, "the major part of the route in Wyoming used by all Bozeman Trail travelers in 1864 was pioneered by Allen Hurlbut".

Many miles of the Bozeman Trail in present Montana followed the tracks of Bridger Trail, opened by Jim Bridger in 1864. The flow of pioneers and settlers through territory of American Indians provoked their resentment and caused attacks. The challengers to the route were newly arrived Lakotas and their Indian allies, the Arapahoe and the Cheyenne. The United States put emphasis on a right to "establish roads, military and other posts" as described in Article 2 in the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851.

All parties in the conflict had signed that treaty. The Crow Indians held the treaty right to the contested area and had called it their homeland for decades. They sided with the whites. The U.S. Army undertook several military campaigns against the hostile Indians to try to control the trail. Because of its association with frontier history and conflict with American Indians, various segments of the trail are listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).

Location

Ross Flat
Wyoming
USA

Getting There

The trail is approximately 130 miles long and runs from the Oregon Trail in Wyoming to the gold fields in Montana.

The Bozeman Trail is not accessible by public transportation. The best way to visit the trail is by car or organized tour. Some tour operators in the area offer guided tours of the Bozeman Trail and other historic sites in Wyoming.

Nearby Airports

This is a list of primary airports in Wyoming that have scheduled passenger service on commercial airlines.