The Bozeman Trail

The Bozeman Trail

Ralph Saunders

Paving History: The Bozeman Trail's Bid for National Historic Trail Status

Advocating for the Bozeman Trail's National Recognition

Objective: Our mission, in line with the National Trails Act of 1968, is to petition the U.S. Congress. We seek legislation that prompts the Secretary of Interior to examine the viability of recognizing the Bozeman Trail as a National Historic Trail. Should the Trail meet the necessary criteria, we will urge Congress to grant it an official National Historic Trail designation.

Who We Are: Spearheading this initiative are two non-profit organizations - the Fort Phil Kearny/Bozeman Trail Association and Our Montana.

About the Bozeman Trail: Established in 1863, the Bozeman Trail spans 535 miles, carving a "shortcut" from the Oregon Trail near Casper, Wyoming to the gold-ridden areas around Virginia City, Montana. This trail navigates directly through native Tribal territories. The trail's growing popularity and the consequent establishment of U.S. military forts triggered Red Cloud’s War. This encompassed multiple skirmishes and three significant battles, namely the Fetterman Battle (1866), and the Wagon Box and Hay Field fights (1867).

Additional Information: For an in-depth look at the Bozeman Trail, explore: Bozeman National Historic Trail. Should you wish to share insights or raise queries, feel free to reach out to the NHT Committee at bozemannht@gmail.com.

Bozeman Trail Visitors Guide: A Deep Dive into History

The Bozeman Trail, with its rich tapestry of events and significance in American history, has long captured the imagination and passion of many. Among them is Ralph Saunders, a dedicated board member of Our Montana. With a lifetime spent unraveling the tales and truths of the Bozeman Trail, Ralph is in the process of crafting a definitive visitor guide to this historic path.

Set to be unveiled in 2025, this guide promises to be an indispensable companion for history aficionados, researchers, educators, and every curious traveler looking to tread the corridor of the pioneers. Delving deep into the trail’s annals, the guide will shed light on its formation, the tribes it affected, the stories of those who walked it, and the major events that shaped its course.

This project would not be possible without the enduring support of many. In this endeavor, we wish to extend our profound gratitude to the Willet Family Foundation. Their unwavering commitment to preserving and promoting history has played a pivotal role in bringing this guide to life.

Special Thanks to our Bozeman Trail Partner, Beartooth RC&D!