Between 300,000 to 500,000 people traveled the Oregon, California and Mormon Trails between 1840 and 1860. All three trails (as well as the Pony Express trail) went right through Casper and it just so happens that the nearby sections are some of the best preserved of the whole 2,000 mile Oregon Trail. See for yourself – and see how the pioneers did it – with a covered wagon ride. Area outfitters offer everything from hour-long rides to week-long adventures ending at the famous Independence Rock. But none of today’s rides are quite so basic you are made to suffer the same hardships the pioneers did (cholera, little water, hardtack for three meals each day). Chefs can do more with a Dutch oven than most of us can do with a professional kitchen. If you elect for an overnight, you’d most likely retire to a 10-foot by 10-foot range teepee. Trucks follow with port-a-johns.