Atlantic City
The full-day tour starts in Atlantic City, an authentic mining town
at almost 8,000 feet that today serves as a rustic getaway for tourists.
Atlantic City, approximately 2 miles off of Hwy. 28 on a gravel road, offers
restaurants and accommodations. It is 3 miles from South Pass City, home to one
of the West's most impressive historic sites. You'll travel on remote gravel
roads, so please read our travel safety tips before leaving.
Willie's
Handcart Monument
If you are adventuresome, before you head to South Pass, take a detour at the
south end of town and head southeast on County Road #512 to Willie's Handcart
Monument. Follow #512 for 3.7 miles until you reach Lewiston Road. Take a left
on Lewiston for 3.5 miles to Rock Creek; the monument is on the right. The monument
commemorates the tragedy of a Mormon group that suffered severe hardships and
death in 1856.
At this site you will see the ruts of the Oregon-Mormon Trail. Wind River Country
is one of the few places where deep ruts from the wheels of thousands of wagons
and handcarts can still be seen today. A quick look around gives visitors an
understanding of the sights the emigrants encountered day after day while climbing
towards the Continental Divide at 7,412'.
South Pass City
Follow the same roads back to Atlantic City and turn left toward South Pass City
when you hit the main gravel road. At the South Pass City State Historic Site,
you'll feel as though you've stepped back 100 years. Visit the 27 renovated historic
buildings and see more than 30,000 original artifacts from the gold rush days.
The site is open from 9 - 5:30 during the summer. Admission is $1 per adult.
On the hill south of the historic site sits the town's cemetery. Visitors are
welcome to tour the cemetery and asked to respect the memories of some of the
town's first occupants.
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Oregon Buttes Rd.
Back down in South Pass City, head out of town the way you came in, but take
a left turn just outside the town, past the old Carissa Mine, and head up the
hill roughly 3 miles to Hwy. 28 instead of returning to Atlantic City. At Hwy.
28, turn left and travel south 10 miles until you cross the Sweetwater River
just after the South Pass Rest Area. On the other side of the bridge, you'll
see another dirt road on your left marked Oregon Buttes Road, County Road 446.
Driving down this road 2.8 miles brings you to a marker and instructions to the
true Continental Divide and South Pass Summit on a dirt, two-track road. You
will be on the most pristine sections of the Oregon-Mormon Trail.
South Pass Overlook
To get to the South Pass Overlook, where excellent interpretive signs describe
the challenges of the emigrants, return to Hwy. 28 and head south again, for
4.3 miles.As you return to Atlantic City for some real Western atmosphere at
the local establishments, enjoy the views of the impressive Wind River Range
on your left. Look for antelope, deer, moose and eagles.
HALF DAY
OPTION
6 Miles Round-Trip
If you only have a half day to spend on South Pass, start in Atlantic City where
you'll see original cabins, saloons and mines of the gold diggers. Then head
to South Pass City State Historic Site to get a feel for the lives of the pioneers
who crossed the Continental Divide and for the gold miners who settled the town
over 100 years ago. (See full day tour information.)
Climbers
Festival
Gold
Rush Days
Information
on Lander
Lander Attractions
Microbrewery | Oregon
Trail Pageant of the
Old West
Sinks Canyon State Park
South Pass City
Oregon Trail
Map
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