BLM Utah
Last verified May 2026
The Pony Express National Backcountry Byway is a 133-mile gravel road across Utah's West Desert, retracing the historic 1860–1861 mail route between Missouri and California. The byway runs east to west through Tooele and Juab counties, between Lehi (eastern access via SR-73) and Ibapah near the Nevada border, passing reconstructed station sites and BLM-managed conservation lands. The west desert landscape of playa, basin and range, sagebrush, and scattered springs is described by BLM as 'virtually unchanged' from the express era.
The road is maintained gravel and accessible to standard vehicles in dry conditions. The route crosses true backcountry. There is no fuel, water, or cell coverage along most of the 133 miles, and the only developed campground is Simpson Springs, roughly halfway. A high-clearance vehicle is sensible for variable surface conditions; four-wheel drive helps when wet.
Trailhead: 40.23061, -112.18442
- Technical Difficulty
- easy
- Length
- 133 miles
- Direction
- Point to point
- Vehicle
- Standard vehicle in dry conditions; high-clearance recommended; impassable when wet
- Nearest town
- Lehi, Utah
- Terrain
- Maintained gravel road across desert basin and range
- Cell coverage
- None
- Best months
- Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct
- Management
- Bureau of Land Management
- Trailhead
- 40.23061, -112.18442
Resources
Directions
The byway runs east to west between Lehi and Ibapah. Standard travel direction is east to west; the eastern end is much easier to find from I-15.
From the east (Lehi access):
- From I-15, take Exit 279 (Lehi).
- Head west on State Route 73 for approximately 25 miles.
- The signed Pony Express Backcountry Byway turns west off SR-73 and continues 133 miles to Ibapah.
From the west (Ibapah access):
- The byway's western terminus is at Ibapah, near the Utah-Nevada border.
- Reach Ibapah from US-93A in eastern Nevada, or from the Bonneville Salt Flats area via secondary roads.
There are no through gas stations along the byway. Carry full fuel from Lehi or from Wendover (north of Ibapah on I-80).
Photos · 8
Getting Oriented
The Pony Express National Backcountry Byway is a 133-mile gravel route across Utah's West Desert, between Lehi (eastern terminus, accessed via SR-73 from I-15 Exit 279) and Ibapah near the Utah-Nevada border. The byway closely follows the original Pony Express route, the rapid horse-relay mail system that operated from April 1860 to October 1861. BLM manages the surface and most of the historic stations along it.
Trail Overview
The byway is a maintained gravel road for its full length. Surface conditions vary with weather: dry conditions allow standard vehicles to traverse at moderate speeds, while rain or snow can render the playa sections slow or impassable. Several stations along the route are reconstructed and interpreted; others are marked only by foundations or interpretive signs.
The full drive takes six to eight hours with minimal stops. Many travelers spread the route over two days, camping at Simpson Springs and continuing west the following morning.
Points of Interest
- Simpson Springs Station. Reconstructed station with the byway's only developed BLM campground (20 sites, year-round, $15/night). Roughly halfway along the route.
- Boyd Station. One of the best-preserved original express stations along the Utah portion, in the western section of the byway.
- Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge. A USFWS-managed wetland complex accessible from the byway's middle section. Worth a side trip for migratory birds.
- Lookout Pass. Mountain pass with a reconstructed station and views back toward the Stansbury Range.
Where to Camp
The Simpson Springs Campground is the only developed camping along the byway: 20 sites, open year-round, $15 per night, with pit toilets and picnic tables.
Dispersed camping is permitted on BLM land along the route, subject to standard Leave No Trace practices. Camping is not permitted within a quarter mile of springs or wildlife guzzlers.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- Plan a full day or two. 133 miles of gravel is slow. Don't underestimate the time commitment.
- Carry supplies. No fuel, food, or water along the byway. The closest services are in Lehi (east) and Wendover or Ibapah (west). Carry extra of everything.
- Assume no cell coverage. A satellite communicator is sensible for solo travel.
- Watch for wildlife and livestock. Pronghorn, mule deer, raptors, and free-roaming horses are common. Drive cautiously at dawn and dusk.
- Respect station sites. Most are interpreted historic resources protected by federal law. Don't climb on ruins, remove artifacts, or use metal detectors.
Hazards
The Pony Express Backcountry Byway is a 133-mile remote gravel road. The hazards are remoteness and weather, not technical driving.
No services. There is no fuel, water, food, or cell coverage along the byway. The full route can take six to eight hours of driving. Carry water, extra fuel, food, and recovery gear.
Wet weather. Sections cross alkali playa and clay soil that become impassable when wet. Lightning is a risk on the open desert during summer afternoon storms.
Heat. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F (38°C) on the playa with no shade. Carry more water than you think you need and avoid midday driving in extreme heat.
Solo travel. Cell coverage is absent for most of the byway. A satellite communicator (PLB / inReach) is sensible. Tell someone your route and expected return.
Historic resources. Federal law protects station sites and artifacts. Do not climb on ruins, remove artifacts, or use metal detectors.