Independence Rock: An Oregon Trail Adventure

Experience Oregon Trail history by visiting (and climbing) Independence Rock in Wyoming. See  inscriptions from travelers of a bygone era, learn the interesting history of this giant monolith, and connect with our nation’s past.

 

Having grown up reading books about wagon trains and playing Oregon Trail on the computers at school, I have been intrigued by the Oregon Trail for as long as I can remember.  So when I saw that a major Oregon Trail landmark was very close to our Yellowstone road trip route in 2019, I insisted that we take a detour to see it.

Our visit to Independence Rock National Historic Site was definitely worth the detour.

 

Independence Rock National Historic Site

Independence Rock is an ancient landmark that played an important role in Native American history and lore, the American fur trade industry, and the Westward Expansion.

Open daily from sunrise to sunset, the Independence Rock National Historic Site is located at a rest area on Highway 220 in Wyoming. It is about 55 miles southwest of Casper, Wyoming. This historic site makes an interesting road trip stop on your to or from Yellowstone National Park or Grand Teton National Park.

Standing at 136 feet tall, this giant dome-shaped rock was one of the most noted landmarks for wagon trains headed west. Sitting alongside the Sweetwater River, there was also a trading post there, and pioneers traveling the Oregon Trail made it their goal to reach this point by the 4^th of July (Independence Day).

RELATED:  If you enjoy learning about Westward Expansion, wagon trains and the Oregon Trail, check out these book recommendations.

 

What to Expect During Your Visit to Independence Rock

Independence Rock is a great place to stop. After a pit stop to the restrooms, take a few moments to walk along the paths, read the information signs, and experience history.

TIP:  Be sure to grab a brochure from the rest area!

From the roadside rest area, there is a nice level walking path that leads to and around the large dome-shaped granite rock known as Independence Rock. The path features interesting informational signs and a small bridge that takes you over some ORIGINAL WAGON RUTS (!!!) from the Oregon Trail days.

Upon approaching the granite outcropping, don’t be surprised if you see people standing and walking on top of it. Yes, this is allowed! You can do this, too. It is not an easy climb up to the top, and you will want to choose your steps carefully as you go up the steep incline. It’s worth the effort though if you are up to the challenge.

On top of Independence Rock, you will find original inscriptions of emigrant’s names. The oldest known inscription on the rock is from 1824. The oldest inscription date our family saw during our visit was 1850. The rock used to feature Native American petroglyphs as well. Sadly, none of the petroglyphs remain today.

While on top of the rock, be sure to take in the view. Imagine what it must have been like for the pioneers of the wagon train days to look out over the land from atop this rock.

 

The History of Independence Rock (and Other Interesting Facts)

Independence Rock is interesting for so many reasons. Our family really enjoyed learning more about its ties to the Oregon Trail and ancient Native American lore in addition to how the rock itself came to be.

 

Independence Rock and the Oregon Trail

Independence Rock marked an important point along the Oregon Trail. Pioneers knew that if they could make it to this landmark by the 4^th of July (Independence Day), they would most likely be able to avoid the early snows of the mountains. Reaching this landmark on time was cause for celebration, and they did, indeed, have impressive 4^th of July celebrations there.

This giant rock sitting beside the Sweetwater River has always been a popular meeting place. Even before a man named Robert Stuart found it in an 1812 expedition, it had been an important gathering place for local Native Americans. There were at least 11 tribes that would visit this monolith, including the Shoshone, Cheyenne, Lakota and Arapaho tribes. The monolith had been weaved into many of the native legends.

As the years passed, this route documented by Robert Stuart quickly became a popular trail for American fur traders and, then, for pioneers and settlers. It eventually became known as the Oregon Trail. Located in the Sweetwater Valley, Independence Rock was an important landmark for all of these travelers.

Many travelers would carve their names into the rock to document their travels. The oldest known inscription was by M.K. Hugh in 1824. This inscription has weathered away but, since that time, thousands of other inscriptions has been carved into this ancient landmark.

Please note visitors are asked to help preserve this important piece of U.S. history. Do not add your signature to the rock and do not destroy the carvings that are still visible.

Independence Rock was designated as a National Historic Site in 1961.

Today, the site is a fascinating stop for travelers passing though Wyoming along Highway 220. Especially those road tripping to Yellowstone National Park or Grand Teton National Park.

LEARN MORE:  Independence Rock History – WyoHistory.org

 

What’s In a Name?

No one knows for certain how this large rock of feldspar and mica came to be known as Independence Rock. Some believe that a well-known mountain man named Thomas “Broken Hand” Fitzpatrick named it “Rock Independence” as he passed the monolith on July 4, 1824. However, most people believe it was christened as “Independence Rock” by William Sublette in 1830. He was leading 81 men and 10 wagons through the area, and they held quite the 4^th of July celebration at Independence Rock.

Independence Rock is also known as the Great Register of the Desert. Upon seeing hieroglyphic and inscription carvings in the early 1840s, Father Pierre-Jean De Smet dubbed this ancient landmark as the Great Register of the Desert.

Other travelers have also referred to this point as the backbone of the universe.

 

Creation of a Landmark

There is a common misconception that this rounded monolith was created by glaciers.

The truth is that Independence Rock is a peak from the ancient Granite Mountain Range formed in the area over 50 million years ago. Over time, this mountain range was manipulated – elevated and collapsed in turns – due to movements of the South Granite Mountain and North Granite Mountain faults.

Around six million years ago, fault movements caused this portion of the mountains to collapse (or sag). Independence Rock is one of the most visible remnants of this mountain range in the Sweetwater River Valley area.

Over years, layers of the granite have broken off to give this landmark its distinctive rounded shape. Additionally, its surface has been polished and smoothed over time by sand and silt constantly blowing across it.

Independence Rock stands at about 136 feet tall and has a perimeter of more than one mile at its base.

LEARN MORE:  Granite Mountains – Geology of Wyoming

 

Even Our Kids Enjoyed Our Independence Rock Experience!

Unlike my generation, my kids did not grow up watching Little House on the Prairie or playing Oregon Trail on the computer. Beside a few history lessons, they have had very few opportunities to learn about the Oregon Trail. So my husband and I weren’t sure our children would enjoy stopping at Independence Rock as much as we would.

I am happy to report that all three children enjoyed this stop. The signs were filled with interesting facts, the climb to the top of the rock was exciting, and looking for old inscriptions carvings was thrilling (much like a treasure hunt).

Here’s what my children had to say about the experience:

• “I loved climbing up the mountain, and I hated climbing back down.” – seven-year-old
• “It was cool how they carved all those names in there, and I loved going back down the rock. That was more fun than going up.” – ten-year-old
• “It was kinda cool. It was fun climbing up, I guess.” – 17-year-old (That’s about as good of an endorsement as you can get from a teenager, right?)

My husband and I enjoyed seeing the carvings, we were excited to see the original wagon ruts, and we enjoyed the beautiful scenery. Plus, as my husband put it, “I was happy that everyone made it back down to the bottom with no broken bones.” (Have I mentioned the rock climb is quite steep?)

Even if we had chosen to not climb to the top of Independence Rock, I think it would have still been worth a visit.

 

Would you like to visit this piece of Oregon Trail history?

If you find yourself near Casper, Wyoming, we recommend making a quick trip to see Independence Rock. Especially if you are interested in Oregon Trail history.

• Are you interested in Oregon Trail history?
• What do you find most interesting about Independence Rock?
• Would you stop here if you were traveling through this area of Wyoming?

 

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