South Pass City State Historic Site
South Pass City, WY
A restored 1860s gold rush town near the easy crossing of the Rockies used by the Oregon Trail. Open in summer.
South Pass City State Historic Site is a restored gold-mining town in Fremont County, Wyoming, at nearly 8,000 feet (2,400 m). In 1867, prospectors found a rich gold-bearing quartz vein along Willow Creek, the Carissa Lode; because the gold was locked in hard rock, it needed shafts and stamp mills. By 1868 nearly 3,000 people lived here, and the town was the seat of what was then Carter County, now Fremont County.
Main Street once had over 300 buildings; surviving ones include the Houghton-Colter General Store and the Sherlock Hotel, and the Carissa Mine and Mill was restored in the 2000s. Wyoming bought the town's core in the 1960s, and today it is a State Historic Site and on the National Register of Historic Places.
Esther Hobart Morris was appointed justice of the peace here in 1870 and is considered the first female judge in the US; she tried 27 cases and none of her decisions was overturned on appeal. Winter starts in October and lasts until June; check hours, season and events beforehand on the site's Facebook page (as of October 2026).
- Nearest town
- South Pass City, WY
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 42.4683, -108.8023
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Lake Louis CampgroundCampsite9 mi from South Pass City State Historic Site
- Little Popo Agie CampgroundCampsite10 mi from South Pass City State Historic Site
- Worthen Meadow CampgroundCampsite17 mi from South Pass City State Historic Site
- Sinks Canyon CampgroundCampsite19 mi from South Pass City State Historic Site
- Popo Agie CampgroundCampsite19 mi from South Pass City State Historic Site
- Sawmill CampgroundCampsite20 mi from South Pass City State Historic Site
All campsites in Wyoming · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is South Pass City State Historic Site?
South Pass City State Historic Site is in South Pass City, WY, at GPS 42.4683, -108.8023. It is about 2 mi from Atlantic City.
Can you camp near South Pass City State Historic Site?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Dexter mill RV park, about 4 mi away; within 25 mi there are 15 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass South Pass City State Historic Site?
South Pass City State Historic Site is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Wind River country: Togwotee Pass to South Pass.
What is there to see near South Pass City State Historic Site?
Places worth a stop nearby: Sinks Canyon State Park (19 mi), Togwotee Pass (109 mi), Flaming Gorge Dam (112 mi) and Red Canyon Overlook (116 mi).
When is the best time to visit South Pass City State Historic Site?
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)