Ghost Towns/Mining Era

Travelers can explore a new Historic Trail located in Wyoming's Wind River Country. The first part of the Wyoming Historic Mine Trail program was dedicated near the Carissa Mine in September 2009. The "Gold Flakes to Yellowcake Trail" was designated in 2005 by the Historic Mine Trail and Byway Program.  Maps and new interpretive signs lead travelers through a self-guided driving tour from South Pass City to the Gas Hills uranium mining area.  View the entire map.  On this route, visitors will tour areas that saw mining activity from the 1860s - 1980s including the Atlantic City and Miners Delight gold mining sites, the Atlantic City iron ore mine, the Jeffrey City uranium mining area and the site of the historic Lucky Mc uranium strike.

Sarah Needles of the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office said, "The purpose of the historic mine trail program is to document and record the history of mining in Wyoming, to interpret the role that minerals development played in Wyoming's economy, and to identify and describe the state's mining and minerals heritage."

This first segment of the trail encompasses over 100 miles in Fremont County on State Road 28, US HWY, County Road 5 and County Road 212 in Natrona County.  Eventually, more signs will be added to this route describing the historical significance of the particular area.  Some of the additional mining sites will see restoration as funding permits.

The South Pass City State Historic Site offers tours of the Carissa Mine.  To reserve a spot call 307.332.3684.