Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail
From Winter Quarters (Omaha/Florence) across Nebraska's north Platte valley — the trail of 70,000 Latter-day Saint pioneers.
The Mormon Pioneer Trail follows the north bank of the Platte River across Nebraska — the opposite bank from the Oregon Trail — as Latter-day Saint pioneers made their way from Winter Quarters (present-day Florence/Omaha) to the Salt Lake Valley between 1847 and 1869. Nebraska holds the most historically significant sites on the entire trail, including Winter Quarters itself.
Trail Information
- Nebraska Length: ~400 miles
- Route: Winter Quarters (Omaha/Florence) → north bank of Platte River → Chimney Rock → Scotts Bluff → Wyoming border
- Designation: National Historic Trail (NPS)
- Peak Years: 1847–1869
Counties & Key Sites (East to West)
Douglas County
Omaha (Florence neighborhood) — Winter Quarters & Mormon Trail Center · Historic Winter Quarters Temple (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
Washington County
Dodge County
Saunders / Butler / Polk Counties
North Platte River corridor towns
Hall County
Buffalo County
Scotts Bluff County (western terminus area)
Scottsbluff — Chimney Rock (visible from north bank)
Points of Interest
- Winter Quarters — the 1846–47 winter encampment where 600 pioneers died; now the Florence neighborhood of Omaha. Mormon Trail Center and cemetery.
- Chimney Rock — visible from both banks of the Platte; a landmark for all westward emigrants
- Scotts Bluff National Monument
History
Brigham Young led the first pioneer company west from Winter Quarters in April 1847, reaching the Salt Lake Valley in July. An estimated 70,000 Latter-day Saints followed over the next 22 years, many pushing handcarts when they couldn't afford wagons. Nebraska's Winter Quarters — now a National Historic Site — was the launching point for this mass migration and the place where the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints organized its westward movement.
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